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:
9th October 2026, 10.00am to 11.30am
12th March 2027, 10.00am to 11.30am
25th June 2027, 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 2026/27
|
17th September 2025 |
Full Governing Body |
7.30pm |
Meeting Room |
|
15th October 2026 |
Finance and Resources Committee |
7.00pm |
Meeting Room |
|
19th November 2026 |
Curriculum and Community Committee |
7.30pm |
Meeting Room |
|
10th December 2026 |
Full Governing Body |
7.30pm |
Meeting Room |
|
21st January 2027 |
Finance and Resources Committee |
7.30pm |
Meeting Room |
|
4th March 2027 |
Curriculum and Community Committee |
7.30pm |
Meeting Room |
|
17th March 2027 |
Full Governing Body |
7.30pm |
Meeting Room |
|
20th May 2027 |
Finance and Resources Committee |
7.30pm |
Meeting Room |
|
17th June 2027 |
Curriculum and Community Committee |
7.30pm |
Meeting Room |
|
1st July 2027 |
Full Governing Body |
7.30pm |
Meeting Room |
Agendas and minutes for all governing body meetings are available on request. Please contact the Chair of Governors at chair@reachfree.co.uk.
Governing Body Structure – September 2026
Full Governing Body
Saf Ahmed - Parent Governor
Kerry Ballantyne - Parent Governor
Richard Booth – Headteacher (ex-officio)
Matthew Cawthorne – Community Governor and Vice Chair of the Governing Body
Claire Adby - Community Governor
David Compton - Community Governor
David Sherratt - Staff Governor
Diana Culliton - Community Governor
Allyssa Gregory - Parent 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
Saf Ahmed (Vice Chair)
Richard Booth
Matthew Cawthorne (Chair)
David Compton
Priyadharshini Shanthakumar
Vacancy
Carolyn Venn
Curriculum and Community Committee
Claire Adby (Chair)
Saf Ahmed
Richard Booth
Matthew Cawthorne
Diana Culliton
David Compton
David Sherratt
Sam Robinson
Priyadharshini Shanthakumar
Jennie Simmonite
Carolyn Venn
Link Governors
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 Governors: Diana Culliton and Carolyn Venn
Sixth Form and Careers Link Governors: Matthew Cawthorne and Vacancy
* Statutory Link Governor Role
Download the Governing Body Structure here.
Download the Register of Directors and Key Employees 2026-27 here.
Download Governor Attendance to Meetings here.