Blaise Primary and Nursery School

Governors

 

Meet the Governing Body

 

Massimo Bonaddio

Headteacher

 

 Before becoming a Headteacher in 2015, I held three senior leadership roles with overall responsibility for Safeguarding and Inclusion. Consequently, I have extensive direct experience of Child Protection issues, SEND, multi-agency working and learners with English as an additional language, workforce development, curriculum design and budget setting. My passion for improving outcomes and enjoyment for children and young people has also helped me serve on three Primary school Governing Bodies as Parent Governor, Staff Governor and Head Teacher, setting and meeting school development priority targets, vision and managing change.

 

Ciara Mullan

Co Chair of Governors

Send Governor

 

I am a mother of 3 children, 2 of which have left school and I work in an international IT company being responsible for delivery of large projects across the world.  I have 3 years previous experience of being a governor in a primary school and I  decided to return to this as I understand how the first experiences of school provide a strong basis for children to progress.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Alice Fairbrother

Parent Governor

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I am proud to serve as a Parent governor at Blaise Primary and Nursery School, bringing over 20 years of experience working with children under 5. I hold a DHE in Sociology and Social Policy, with a specialism in safeguarding, and have advanced knowledge of child psychology and social work. This helps me understand the complexities of child development and the importance of early intervention and support. 

Throughout my career, I have held management positions in both childcare and adult care settings, working closely with individuals with learning difficulties and mental health challenges. This has given me valuable insight into supporting diverse needs and advocating for inclusive, person-centred environments. 

As a mother of four children, all with additional needs, I understand the importance of creating a nurturing and supportive educational space where every child can thrive. I hope my personal and professional experiences equip me with the skills to contribute to strategic decision-making, promote well-being, and help the school continue to grow and succeed. 

I am committed to helping Blaise Primary and Nursery foster a safe, inclusive, and thriving learning environment. 

 

 

Lucy Seldon

Local Authority Governor  | Chair of Resources Committee

 

Prior to becoming a governor last academic year, I have been training in accountancy after a successful career as a patisserie chef. Approaching my fourth year of studying accountancy, I am able to share a wealth of financial knowledge as a parent governor. I am passionate about children feeling respected and safe, encouraged to pursue the things they enjoy and for virtues such as kindness to be celebrated alongside their academic achievements. I believe it is important for learning to be fun and to take place in an environment which encourages a growth mindset. In my spare time, I like to learn, sing and continue cooking for pleasure. 

 

 

 

Andy Reynolds

Co Chair & Health & Safety Governor

I am currently Vice President Hydrogen Storage and Distribution at Airbus. I have previously held other senior engineering, programme and strategy roles within Airbus including being the UK Chief Engineer for the A350 programme and leading the development of the fuel system on the A380.

I lead a large team of engineers across several European sites - including Filton in Bristol - which is developing hydrogen systems and technologies as part of Airbus’s ZEROe project. This aims to put the first hydrogen powered commercial aircraft into service in the mid 2030s.

I grew up in Bristol and began my professional career in 1992 as an undergraduate apprentice at British Aerospace before completing a Masters Degree in Engineering at Cambridge University. I live in Bristol with my wife and three teenage children. I enjoy running, photography and playing the guitar.

Debbie Young

Staff Governor

 

 

 

 

 

 

Helena Sales

Associate Governor

I am delighted to be part of Blaise Primary and Nursery School community as a parent governor. I have worked in inclusive state secondary school education since 2005, and in Bristol schools since 2009. I am an Assistant Headteacher, and my unwavering belief in the transformative power of education and the sheer joy of learning drives my commitment to this role. I am originally from Leeds, but fell in love with the South West as a student. I read Economics and Accountancy with Law at the University of Bristol and worked for several years in finance and law before training as a maths teacher. I studied my PGCE in Mathematics at the University of Leeds and have never looked back. Outside of work, I enjoy a busy family life and I am an enthusiastic swimmer.

I endeavour to provide the same care and attention to the development and education of all the children and families we serve as I would want for my own two children.

Dr Rebecca Pike

Rebecca Pike

I am truly passionate about educations power to transform lives. Education has played a crucial role in shaping my own life and career. Studying mathematics at the University of Bristol led me to stay in the city, where I completed a PhD and now work as a Senior Lecturer in Biological Sciences. My current role and my background as a former mathematics secondary school teacher, allows me to view educational challenges from multiple angles, integrating practical teaching experience with broader pedagogical theory.

 

I am thrilled to contribute to my local community as a Co-opted Governor for Blaise Primary and Nursery School, supporting the School to provide high-quality education and opportunities for their students. As a governor, I am committed to supporting Blaise Primary and Nursery School in delivering inclusive, evidence-based education that prepares students and staff for lifelong success. I hope to foster links between Blaise and the University, providing students with enrichment opportunities and familiarity with a higher education setting from an early age. Outside of work, I am a mum of two, enjoy coffee and cake, and love exploring nature.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Isabelle Ward

Pupil Premium Governor

I am a chartered accountant and auditor which has given me exposure to the finances of a wide range of charities and companies. Before going to university I worked at several summer camps including working with children with additional educational needs. I see being a governor as a role that allows me to combine my finance skills with my passion for ensuring every child has the same opportunities. I feel privileged to be a governor at the school and join a team who care about building a supportive learning environment where children love to learn.

Outside of work I also enjoy pilot gig boat rowing which is in a traditional Cornish boat usually racing on the sea.

 

Associate Members

Julie Barlow - Deputy Head

Sara Cunningham-Smith – School Business Manager

Emma Robinson – Assistant Head

Aimee Lidstone-Quinn - Assistant Head

Sarah Hutton - (Clerk to Governors)

Governor Responsibilities:

  • To determine the strategic direction of the school
  • To review and approve the school budget
  • To decide policy on such things as equal opportunities, behaviour, special needs provision, etc.
  • To monitor the performance of the school
  • To oversee the curriculum provision
  • To appoint, challenge and support the Headteacher
  • To sit on recruitment panels
  • To sit on panels that handle staff or pupil discipline issues or complaints against the school

 

The Governing Body hold full meetings usually once per term.  There are also two committees that meet regularly throughout the year to look at matters in detail;

The Outcomes committee looks at issues around the outcomes for the children at Blaise such as the curriculum, school data, the well-being of the children etc.

The Resources committee looks at issues around staffing, finance and premises. 

There is also a Performance Management panel and a Pay panel for the Headteacher.

 

Our governing body is made up as follows:

Parent Governors – elected by parents

Co-opted Governors - appointed by the Governing Body

Staff Governors (including the Head Teacher) – elected by teaching and non-teaching staff 

LA Governors – appointed by the Local Authority 

All of the above Governors have full voting rights on the Governing Body and in Committees.

Associate Members – appointed by the Governing Body for particular skills and do not have voting rights.

The Chair and Vice Chair are elected from and by the Governing Body.

 

Thinking of becoming a governor?

Please see the vacancies page for more information about being a Governor and how to become a Governor.

 

Link Governors

There are areas of specific responsibility for which Governors volunteer to be linked; our Link Governors are as follows:

 

Co Chair - Ciara Mullan & Andy Reynolds

Vice Chair Kat Kaal

Attendance Governor - Lucy Seldon

Estate Plan - VACANT

Health and Safety Governor -  Andy Reynolds

Safeguarding & Child Protection Governor - Kat Kaal

Wellbeing Governor  - Lucy Seldon

SEND Governor – Ciara Mullan

Pupil Premium Governor - Isabelle Ward

Children in Care Governor - Kat Kaal

Associate Governor -  Helena Sales

 

Further information

Click here for Governors' terms of office and roles.

Click here for Governor's Attendance report 2023-24.