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Governing Body
Please see below our current school Governors. All Governors are contactable via the school office at either school.
Sally Aveling
Role/s: Staff Governor, Art, PSHE and RSE, Well-being and Mental Health
Committee/s: Premises Committee
I have worked at the school for the past 10 years as a Higher Level Teaching Assistant and a staff governor for the last 6 years. I am on the premise committee and one of my main focuses is the well-being of the children and staff. This I see as a fundamental part of the school, as developing an ethos where we are here to support the children and staff will potentially enable them to develop their confidence and sense of belonging, build positive relationships and reach their potential.
Jonny Barnes
Role/s: Staff Governor
Committee/s:
I have worked in our federation for the past 8 years across both schools, joining Bramford in 2019. I am also Behaviour Lead for Bramford School having recently completed the NPQ for Leading Behaviour and Culture. I am passionate about creating a positive environment for children and staff to thrive and achieve their best.
I am also keen to maintain our positive relationships between parents and our school. This is vital in making sure all parties who are linked to our school are able to reach their potential and see the value in what we do as a school every day.
Alastair Becker
Role/s: Associate Member, Somersham Head of School
Committee/s: Teaching, Learning and Achievement Committee
I have worked within the Federation since 2013 when I moved back to the UK having taught English in Japan for 10 years. While at Bramford, I taught across both Key Stage 1 and 2 where I was also part of the senior leadership team as phase leader for Key Stage 2.
Since September 2024, I have been working as the Head of School at Somersham Primary School where I have also been teaching the Adders class children in both Years 5 and 6. I have always felt proud to be a part of the Bramford and Somersham team and support our ACE children and families.
Tim Clarke
Role/s: Chair of Governors, STEM and Computing Governor
Committee/s: Finance and Personnel Committee Chair, Steering Committee
I have been a governor for around two years now and enjoy having a role in securing great quality education for the children who attend our two schools.
I am keen that all pupils have a great start to life and are able to reflect back on their time in our schools with positive memories and experiences.
Our governors also have a role in supporting school staff in what is often a challenging but rewarding work environment.
Hayley Cullimore
Role/s: Vice Chair of Governors, Co-opted Governor, SEND Governor
Committee/s: Teaching Learning and Achievement Committee Chair, Steering Committee
I have been a governor since 2018. I am vice chair, chair the Teaching, Learning and Achievement committee and have responsibility for Special Educational Needs. Previous to this I was an active member of the HSA and continue to be a leader in the local Scout group. I feel strongly about being part of the local community and how as a village we can strive for the best for our residents; especially the young people.
I have worked locally in education over the past two decades and have vast knowledge and experience of the primary curriculum. I am passionate about education and truly believe in the importance of a broad, balanced and inspiring curriculum for all. I feel privileged to be part of an ‘ACE’ team where every pupil has the opportunity to meet their full potential emotionally, academically and creatively; armed with the skills and knowledge to be well-rounded, successful members of the community.
Reverend Eric Falla
Role/s: Foundation Governor, Safeguarding, Religious Education and SIAMS
Committee/s: Personnel and Finance Committee
I am the Reverend Eric Falla. I moved to Bramford with my wife Vicky in April 2021 during Covid. As the Parish Priest I was appointed as a Foundation Governor to the school. I have been ordained for 5 years. During my training I served in two parishes, one in Ipswich and the other in East Bergholt and Brantham. Before ordination I worked for the Church of England for 16 years, and prior to that I had a 17 year career in the Prison Service. I also worked for 5 years as a site manager in a large comprehensive school. My main hobby is church bell ringing and watching all forms of cricket and Rugby Union. I attend the school every week and lead a whole school assembly.
Rebecca Firman-Smith
Role/s: Co-opted Governor
Committee/s: Personnel and Finance Committee
Rebecca works in HR, leading functions including being on Board, in businesses in hospitality, logistics, travel and leisure industries for 18 years. Her passion for all things people related also led to her qualifying as a Mental Health First Aider, something she believes is key in supporting team and staff welfare, and also gaining certificates in NLP- looking further into psychologies and motivations.
With a love of travel, and some experiences of living and working abroad, some gained within her degree placement on cruise ships, Rebecca has a thirst to see more of the world. Rebecca, her husband, son (who attends one of the schools), guinea pigs and labradors (who don't attend the schools) moved to the catchment area in 2021, and love living here.
Rebecca Newman
Role/s: Parent Governor (Somersham)
Committee/s: Health, Safety and Welfare Committee
I have been a governor since 2022. I chair the Premises and Heath and Safety Committee. I qualified as a solicitor in 2008 and worked as legal counsel within the financial services industry for several years. In 2015 I joined a community orientated financial services organisation and in 2022 was appointed to the Board as Chief Operating Officer. As COO, my role is now multifaceted and involves holding responsibility for HR, Facilities, IT and Information Security, Governance and Change Management. I have two children, both attend one of the Federation Schools. I am therefore well positioned to understand the aspirations and concerns that families face.
Kirsty Newstead
Role/s: Parent Governor (Bramford)
Committee/s:
I have been a parent governor since July 2023 and am part of the teaching, learning and achievement committee.
I have two children, one of whom is still in attendance at one of the federation schools. I live locally and enjoy embracing all that village life offers.
As a pharmacy technician I have experience in dealing with health and safety and safeguarding matters. I have previous experience in a social work environment.
I strongly believe that all children have the right to education and to meet their full potential in a safe and nurturing environment.
I am grateful for the opportunity to be part of the 'ACE' team that makes up the federation.
Steven Palmer
Role/s: Federation Executive Headteacher
Committee/s: Teaching Learning and Achievement, Premises, Finance & Personnel and Steering Committees
I started my career as a Science teacher in 1997. The majority of my career has been spent in Suffolk- the area I grew up in. I was a staff governor whilst working at St. Benedict’s in Bury St Edmunds. I have worked in Leadership roles since 2010, initially as Deputy Headteacher at St. Louis Middle, before joining Horringer Court Middle School where I was appointed Headteacher in 2018.
I live in Bury St Edmunds with my family and our 2 year old Shih Tzu called Faf. Away from work I am a coach with the Newmarket Rugby Club Colts team. I am a season ticket holder at Borussia Dortmund and like to get over to games when possible.
Jayne Squirrell
Role/s: Associate Member. Bramford CEVC Head of School
Committee/s: Teaching, Learning and Achievement Committee
I have worked at Bramford school for over 20 years dedicating the majority of my career in education to achieving the best for our Bramford pupils through hard work and the ability to encourage children to learn, and most importantly enjoy being part of our friendly caring school community. During this time I have taught in both KS1 and KS2 classes including an enjoyable six years teaching in Year 6.
After spending three and a half years as one of two Bramford Deputy Heads, I was thrilled to become the Head of School in September 2022. As the Head of Bramford School, it is my passion to continue to lead by professional example, alongside our team of hardworking teachers and support staff to ensure that our federation’s vision and ethos is adhered to whilst celebrating the identity and distinctiveness of what makes Bramford school the warm and nurturing place it is.
I enjoy embracing the challenges of always striving to be the best school possible. This includes working within our federation governing body. My role as part of the teaching, learning and achievement committee is to drive forward the priorities and targets of our school enabling all children to achieve and to access a stimulating broad and balanced curriculum that allows them to grow into unique individuals who question, explore and take on the world around them with both respect and kindness as they move on into their future as young people.
'Governors are ambitious for the school and have a clear understanding of its strengths and areas for further improvement.
They use their skills to challenge leaders to ensure the best outcomes for pupils'.
Bramford Ofsted, 2017
Below are two documents that we hope you will find useful. The first is an overview of all the governors who have served within the last 12 months. The second document lists the attendance for the governors in the last 12 months. If you would like to know more about becoming a governor, then please arrange to speak or meet with Mrs Burgess or a member of the governing body.