Governors
Mrs Helen Couthard
Helen has been an active member of King Edward VI School, Lichfield Governing Body for over 17 years and Chair of Governors for the last two years. She has completed training from the Department for Education on the role of a Chair of Governors and she enjoys the mix of support and challenge, as well as being able to see how the school thrives and develops. Both of Helen’s children were pupils here. Helen has recently retired and was formerly a specialist teacher working with children with Speech and Language difficulties, and an ex primary headteacher. Helen lives near the school and when she is not involved in Governance matters, she has a range of interests including sewing and quilting!
Co-opted Governor (Chair)
Term of Office: 2021 - 2025
Ms Tracey Coles
Tracey was a Headteacher for 23 years. She retired from the leadership of a high attaining, multi-cultural primary school that educated over 700 little people, in December 2022. She holds a Masters Degree in Education Management. Tracey has also worked as a School Improvement Partner in two West Midlands authorities with a variety of schools on initiatives that included improving school leadership, financial management and staff recruitment.
She was initially elected as a parent governor 2004 when her elder son started at KES. Both Tracey’s sons benefitted from some excellent teaching whilst at school. She works as part of the Governing Board to support the school on its journey of continual improvement.
Co-opted Governor (Vice-Chair)
Term of Office: 2021 - 2025
Mrs Hilary Dowen
Hilary first became a Parent Governor in 2012 when her two sons both attended King Edward VI School, Lichfield; later she became a Co-opted Governor. She is a member of the Teaching and Learning Standards Committee and the Pay Committee. Hilary is also the Link Governor for Literacy and assists when needed as Link Governor for the team of Achievement Leaders. She tries to attend as many school functions as possible as it is very useful to observe the school in action. Hilary graduated from Manchester University where she was also awarded her PhD, and has spent over 25 years in humanities teaching and higher education. More recently, she has worked in HR and compliance in small businesses.
Co-opted Governor
Term of Office: 2020 - 2024
Mr Tim Habart
Tim is a semi-retired ex Logistics Manager who has lived in the area for the past 30 years. His daughters went to King Edward VI School, Lichfield and he likes to give back to the local community by using his experience to support the school through these challenging times. Tim has been a Co-opted Governor for 12 years, and is Chair of the Staff and Student Welfare Committee which plays to his strengths.
Co-opted Governor
Term of Office: 2021 - 2025
Mr Daniel Jackson
Having graduated with a degree in Agricultural Engineering, Daniel has enjoyed 20 years of working for three leading industrial engine manufacturers. The latter five years of this were at JCB where Daniel led the Sales, Marketing, and Engineering teams responsible for external engine sales. He has now moved on to a Commercial Director’s role at a robotics and automation consultancy. Daniel’s three sons are currently studying at the school. He took up the Governor’s role in 2022 and very much looks forward to support the school’s continuing success in the years to come.
Co-opted Governor
Term of Office: 2022 - 2026
Mr Jeff Quantrill
Jeff has a background in enterprise scale IT services from his time with IBM, as well as complex Project Management including consulting on some of the largest construction projects in the world in both the UK and Middle East. He was a Governor and Chair for over ten years in another authority and still sits on their Independent panels for both School Admissions and Exclusion appeals.
Co-opted Governor
Term of Office: 2022 - 2026
Mr Andrew Smith
Andy has been a School Governor, firstly at the Friary School, and now at King Edward VI School, Lichfield since 2012. Andy is a Board Director of two software companies, having a hands on role running both businesses. He is a local Lichfield District Councillor, sitting on the cabinet of the District Council, currently responsible for Leisure and Open Spaces.
Co-opted Governor
Term of Office: 2022 - 2026
Mrs Patricia Smith-Williams
Patricia has been a mental health professional for over 25 years, working as a counsellor and well-being trainer within the voluntary, public and private sector. She is currently the Managing Partner of an emotional well-being company called Rivers Assist. Patricia is also a critical incident responder, and provides psychological first aid to individuals and groups who have experienced a traumatic event. She has worked on many high-profile traumatic events in the UK, which include the Grenfell Tower Fire and London/Manchester terrorist attacks. She has three children who have all attended King Edward VI School, Lichfield. In her role as Governor, she would like to contribute to mental health awareness throughout the school.
Co-opted Governor
Term of Office: 2023 - 2027
Mrs Felicity Spratt
Felicity became a Governor at King Edward VI School, Lichfield in 2022 and has also served as a Governor in a Warwickshire school. She has worked as a school Business Manager for the last nine years in Solihull and Birmingham schools, and brings this experience to her role on the Full Governing Body. Felicity has three sons and two dogs, and so spends much of her downtime on pursuits designed to tire all five out – long walks in the countryside and on the coast, and lots of sports. Felicity is the Link Governor on SEND matters for the FGB.
Co-opted Governor
Term of Office: 2022 - 2026
Mrs Val Turner
Val has resided in Lichfield for over 21 years, having children go through the education system. She became a Co-opted Governor in 2023. Val has spent her career in Human Resources, Organisational Development, Accredited Education and Learning, and Corporate Management Development. Her career has taken her nationally and internationally, and she currently works at strategic HR Director level as part of the Executive team for a Multi Academy Trust. Val’s senior management experience could support the school in various areas, including corporate governance and compliance with familiarity around regulatory bodies. She was previously a Deputy Chair of Governors for a local primary school and works with the University of Wolverhampton supporting students who are training to be teachers. Val has a passion working with people, and an interest in education ensuring that people achieve their potential. She is keen to support the school using her skills, experience and passion.
Co-opted Governor
Term of Office: 2023 - 2027
Mrs Hannah Gallimore
Hannah was elected as a Parent Governor in January 2021 and is Link Governor for careers. She lives and works in Lichfield, and has three daughters in the school. Hannah originally trained as a solicitor and now her day job is Social Change Manager at Central Co-op based in Lichfield. It’s a varied role spanning environment, community, suppliers and colleagues. As well as bringing a local employer perspective to the Governing Body, Hannah’s other areas of interest are sustainability, inclusion and wellbeing. Hannah is privileged to be a part of the King Edward family.
Parent Governor
Term of Office: 2021 - 2025
Mrs Denise De Borde
Denise has two children at King Edward’s and was elected as a Parent Governor in March 2023. Having trained as a primary school teacher, Denise has always had a passion for education which she hopes, combined with her knowledge of school budgeting and administration, developed through her current role as Finance Officer, will be an asset to the Governing Board. Denise feels privileged to have the opportunity to help shape the future of her children’s school.
Parent Governor
Term of Office: 2023 - 2027
Miss Rhiannon Thomas
Rhiannon has worked at King Edward VI School, Lichfield since 2008. She started her teaching career at this school and has taught geography to thousands of pupils since. Rhiannon is very passionate about her subject. Her father was a geography teacher and she has a love of travelling. Rhiannon shares many travel stories in lessons and encourages many pupils to travel after school before they join the rat race! She is quite ambitious in her career and after a few years, was made a Head of Year, and subsequently, an Achievement Leader. Rhiannon enjoys the pastoral side of teaching, and works hard to ensure all pupils in her year group are happy, safe and successful. Rhiannon loves working at the school, and joined the Governing Body to act as a voice for the staff to help drive the school forward to be the best it can and deserves to be.
Staff Governor
Term of Office: 2023 - 2027
Mrs Bea Harvey
Bea’s association with King Edward VI School, Lichfield goes back a long a time: not only is this the school which her son attended, but it was also her first placement during her PGCE course. Bea has been involved in education for over 40 years as a teacher, middle and senior leader and, more recently as a Trade Union representative, engaging with County Officers and local politicians on issues such as Terms and Conditions of Service, HR policies and procedures, school finances, education support services and Health & Safety. This has given Bea a unique insight into the education landscape, both locally and nationally.
Local Authority Governor
Term of Office: 2021 - 2025
Mrs Catharine Forster
Catharine started as Headteacher in September 2024, having worked as Acting Co-headteacher one day a week since 2021. Catharine first joined King Edward VI School, Lichfield in 2012 as Assistant Headteacher and was promoted to Deputy Headteacher in 2014. Her background in teaching is English; however, she has also taught Drama, Sociology and Psychology. Catharine previously worked schools in Yorkshire, Derbyshire and Staffordshire before joining King Edward VI School. Catharine is proud to be part of the School, and works with the Governing Body to ensure that we make effective use of our time and resources to provide the best possible opportunities for our students.
Ex-Officio Governor
Full Governing Body (FGB)
The FGB is comprised of the Governors listed above. Data on diversity of the FGB membership are collected, but not published to avoid the risk of individuals being identified. The FGB meets four times a year and is supported by a Clerk, Samantha Jones.
The FGB has overall responsibility for the running of the school, with three core, strategic functions:
- Ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction
- Holding the Headteacher to account for the educational performance of the school and its pupils
- Overseeing the financial performance of the school and making sure it's money is well spent
Committees
There are three regular Committees of the FGB. Each Committee has a Chair appointed from within the membership of the committee and is supported by the Clerk. All three Committees report to the FGB.
The FGB has also established the Headteacher’s Appraisal Committee and the Pay Committee. Each Committee has a membership of three governors, a discrete remit and follows agreed guidelines and policies. The Headteacher’s Appraisal Committee meets twice a year and the Pay Committee meets annually. Other Committees are set up to deal with particular issues such as appointments and appeals, and working groups may also be convened for specific purposes, with membership drawn from the FGB. These will operate according to instructions given by the FGB.
The role of each of the three regular committees of the FGB is summarised below:
- The Finance and Strategic Leadership (FSL) Committee has eight members and meets three times a year. The FGB delegates its financial powers to this Committee, but reserves the right to approve the annual budget. The Committee must make financial decisions with reference to the aims and vision of the school, and recommendations from other committees. The FSL Committee also works with the Headteacher and other senior leaders to create, refine and monitor the school’s strategic plan. The Committee plans and monitors the improvement of the school’s accommodation and grounds.
- The Student and Staff Welfare (SSW) Committee has nine members and meets three times a year. The FGB delegates responsibility for personnel, welfare and safety matters to this Committee, in relation to both students and staff. Appropriate links with the School Council and other relevant channels are available when required. The SSW Committee also has responsibility for determining the school’s approach to community links.
- The Teaching, Learning and Standards (TLS) Committee has seven members and meets five times a year. The FGB delegates to this Committee responsibility for planning and monitoring the school’s curriculum provision, in order to maximise student achievement. The Committee must pay due regard to the strategic direction of the school, the scope of the school budget, views arising from other discussions of governors, and information from senior staff. The TLS Committee also monitors student tracking data, examination results, and department planning and reviews.
