Governors

The governors of The Reach Free School play an important role in deciding the strategic direction of the school and holding the Headteacher to account with regard to the school’s performance.

Parents’ Forums

If you would like to speak to Carolyn Venn, Chair of Governors, she will be available to meet at school on the following dates:

10th October 2025, 10.00am to 11.30am

6th March 2026, 10.00am to 11.30am

26th June 2026, 10.00am to 11.30am

Please email admin@reachfree.co.uk to make an appointment. If you cannot attend one of the above sessions, you can also email Carolyn directly at chair@reachfree.co.uk.

Governing Body Meetings Dates for 2025/26

Agendas and minutes for all governing body meetings are available on request. Please contact the Chair of Governors – chair@reachfree.co.uk.

Governing Body Structure – September 2025

Full Governing Body
Claire Adby - Community Governor
Saf Ahmed - Parent Governor
Kerry Ballantyne - Parent Governor
Richard Booth – Headteacher (ex-officio)
Matthew Cawthorne – Community Governor and Vice Chair of the Governing Body
David Compton - Community Governor
Diana Culliton - Community Governor
Carla Da Silva – Staff Governor
Allyssa Gregory - Parent Governor
Eyal Hartal – Community Governor
Sam Robinson - Staff Governor
Priyadharshini Shanthakumar - Community Governor
Jennie Simmonite – Community Governor
Carolyn Venn – Chair of the Governing Body
Vacancy - Community Governor

Finance and Resources Committee, including the Internal Scrutiny Committee
Claire Adby
Saf Ahmed
Richard Booth
Matthew Cawthorne (Vice Chair)
David Compton
Eyal Hartal
Priyadharshini Shanthakumar
Vacancy (Chair)
Carolyn Venn

Curriculum and Community Committee
Claire Adby (Chair)
Saf Ahmed
Richard Booth
Matthew Cawthorne
Diana Culliton
David Compton
Carla Da Silva (Vice Chair)
Eyal Hartal
Sam Robinson
Priyadharshini Shanthakumar
Jennie Simmonite
Carolyn Venn

Link Governors
Arts and Culture Link Governors: Carolyn Venn and Matthew Cawthorne
Cyber Security and GDPR Link Governor: Priyadharshini Shanthakumar
Diversity and Equity Link Governor: Jennie Simmonite
Duke of Edinburgh Link Governor: Matthew Cawthorne 
Health and Safety and Sustainability Link Governor: Matthew Cawthorne and Saf Ahmed
Internal Scrutiny Link Governors: Matthew Cawthorne and Mark Sutton (Co-opted)
Mental Health Link Governor:  Jennie Simmonite
Pupil Premium and SEND Link Governors: Matthew Cawthorne and Jennie Simmonite
Safeguarding and CLA Link Governors1: Diana Culliton and Carolyn Venn 
Science and Technology Link Governors: Claire Adby and Vacancy
Sixth Form and Careers Link Governors1: Eyal Hartal and Matthew Cawthorne

* Statutory Link Governor Role

Download the Governing Body Structure here.

Download the Register of Directors and Key Employees 2025-26 here.

Download Governor Attendance to Meetings here.

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