Our Governors

Governing Body

The Governing Body is a committee of the Trust – Advantage Schools. It’s role is to oversee the strategic direction of the school and it is made up of the following people. You can also see the members of the Trust below.

Bedford Free School Governors

Nigel Syson (Chair of Governors) Member Appointed Governor/ Trustee
Rupinder Judge Co-opted Governor
Clare Knighton Parent Governor
Kerrie Rennie Parent Governor
Peter Turnbull Parent Governor
Kirstie Loveday Parent Governor

Advantage Schools Trustees

Dr Ian Campbell Chair
Michael Coward
Anne Heavey
Paul Jameson
Mark McCourt
Tricia Moss
Nigel Syson
Simon Campbell Company Secretary

Governors play an important role in the life of the school. Their main function is to ensure that the school improves so that the highest standards possible are achieved in all aspects of school life. The Principal and the staff are responsible for the day-to-day running of the school. They work hard to implement the School Improvement Plan. It is the responsibility of the governors to challenge and support the school in its ways of achieving the best for students.

Governors’ duties include:

  • promoting high standards
  • setting targets for pupil achievement
  • taking general responsibility for the conduct of the school
  • making sure that the curriculum is balanced and broadly based, in particular that the National Curriculum and religious education are taught, and reporting on pupils’ achievement in National Curriculum assessments and examination results
  • participating in the appointment of senior staff and regulating staff conduct and discipline

If you would like any further information about the governing body please contact Mrs Esther Logan at the school or via email: [email protected]

Education is the most powerful weapon, which you can use to change the world. – Nelson Mandela, former President South Africa
Governors code of conduct
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Governing Body Interests and 2021-22 attendance
Attendance key: P = present, Ap = apologies received & accepted, ApN = apologies received not accepted, A = absent
Name Governor Category Term Expires 22 09 21 17 11 21 26 01 22 16 03 22 11 05 22 06 07 22
Tim Blake (TB) Principal

(Left Dec 2021)

Ex Officio P P
Rupinder Judge (RJ) [Vice Chair] Trustee Appointed Jul 2025 P P P P P Ap
Kirstie Loveday (KL) [Careers Gov] Trustee Appointed Oct 2024 A P P A P P
Nigel Syson (NS) [Chair] Trustee Appointed Oct 2022 P P P P P P
Kerrie Rennie (KR) [SEND Gov] Parent Governor (Appointed governor – 11th May?) Jan 2023 P P P P P P
Stuart Lock (SL) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of AS Trust n/a P

(For first 30 mins)

Jane Herron (JH) Principal (from Jan 22) / School Safeguarding Lead Ex Officio P P P P P P
Fizz Foley (FF) Assistant Principal n/a P P P P P
Tom Wood (TW) Assistant Principal n/a P P P P P P
Florence Burbridge (FB) Staff Governor Sept 2025 P P P P P P
Janet Lehain (JL) Staff Governor Sept 2025 P A A Ap Ap
Peter Turnbull Parent Governor Jan 2026 P Ap P P
Clare Knighton Parent Governor Jan 2026 P Ap P P
Alice Damon KS4 Lead n/a P P
Michael Cox KS3 Lead n/a P A
Also present: Sophie Heron (SH) [Trust HR & Governance Officer & Clerk]