Welcome, on behalf of the Governors of Oakbridge Federation

As the Chair of Governors, I would like to extend a warm welcome to all of our prospective parents and their families of children in Forster Park and Rangefield.

There is one governing body across the federation of the two schools. You will see what a wonderful broad range of people they are in our pen portraits.  Governors have responsibility for the management and organisation of the schools and an oversight of their performance.  Their role is strategic and does not focus on the day to day organisation. Governors take an active role in the schools and we all have responsibility for a particular area such as safeguarding and health and safety.

The schools have skilful, hardworking members of staff who are dedicated to ensuring that our children receive an education of the highest quality, in a safe and inspirational  learning environment.  We are all passionate about giving our children a wide variety of opportunities and experiences, so that we can equip them with the skills they need to progress through to secondary school and into life.

Kris Hibbert

Chair of Governors

Oakbridge Federation

MEET OUR GOVERNORS

Kris Hibbert - Chair of Governors

I am passionate about giving our children a variety of opportunities and experiences, so that they can enjoy their learning and we can equip them with the skills they need to progress through to secondary school and into life. I have been involved as a governor in Lewisham schools for many years and have been Chair since 2011 and enjoy working with Forster Park and Rangefield staff and fellow governors to achieve the best for our pupils.

I am now retired but I have been a lawyer and trainer, served as a local councillor, a board member of a health trust and a housing association.

Alex Goddard - Associate Governor

I began my professional career at Southwark Council as a trainee accountant in 2007, and I was invited to join the Chartered Institute for Public Finance Accountants (CIPFA) in 2010. My area of focus at Southwark was Schools finance, working with the Local Authority schools on a wide range of financial issues. From Southwark, I joined London Borough of Redbridge as Group Finance Manager for Children’s Services, which continued my involvement in schools finance, as well other Children’s Services. In April 2016 I moved out of Local Authority finance and now work for the Department for Transport finance team.

My wife and I moved close to Foster Park School in October 2013 and had our first child in February 2015. I joined the governing body in September 2016, and sit on the Resources committee.

Adrienne Jones - Co-opted Governor

I have been a co-opted Governor with the Oakbridge Federation since 2013, with a particular interest in the curriculum. During this time the two schools within the Federation – Rangefield and Forster Park, have grown from strength to strength. This is due, principally, to a well-led Senior Leadership Team, enthusiastic staff and the committed support of the Governing Body.

My background has always been in education. From my early days in the primary classroom, as a Primary Advisor and, later, as an Education Officer with Channel 4 Schools, I have been associated with schools and teachers in either an advisory, training or support capacity. At Teachers TV, I managed a team of Regional CPD Advisers whose role was to promote professional development. I currently work with trainee teachers, supporting their progress in becoming qualified.

The Governors have recently had the privilege of appointing an Executive Headteacher to build on the work that the inspirational Senior Leadership Teams have established. I am pleased to be involved in such caring learning environments and grateful to have been linked with Forster Park’s metamorphosis to the beautiful building it is now and the ‘good’ judgement awarded from a recent Ofsted inspection. Equally, Rangefield continues to sustain its ‘Outstanding’ status, working hard through its creative curriculum to encourage ‘outstanding’ writing.

When I have had the opportunity to take a ‘learning walk’ round either of the schools, I am both amazed and delighted at the engagement of the pupils with their learning and the level of articulate thinking they reflect. Both schools provide an environment that is conducive to this and where the pupils are motivated to make more than expected progress. Both schools also successfully guide children to make the right choices, thereby building resilience and supporting well-being. As a Governor, I welcome the development of these qualities.

I would like the children in the Oakbridge Federation to achieve the best they possibly can and leave us happy, successful, confident and guided by a strong moral compass.

Perry Nelson - Parent Governor

I am pleased at my recent appointment as a parent governor and excited to utilise my experiences for the betterment of both Forster Park and Rangefield schools.

I am a qualified accountant and have been in the industry for 12 years. For the past 8 years I have been working as an accountant/business manager within the entertainment industry.  My other roles include UK General Manager and assistant COO at my current position. My business management role has enabled me to gain a lot of experience with the inner workings of various types of businesses and the various ways in which they need support, which I’m hopeful will assist me in supporting both schools.

Much of my adult life has been spent in a variety of youth-work roles, be it voluntary or in partnerships with charities. My endeavours have allowed me to run several workshops in schools aimed towards elevating disadvantaged youth. I have also run workshops within my community and went on to host a young adults talk show, where we discussed issues that affect young adults. I am also a coach for the under 10’s at Blackheath rugby club.

Once I had my own children, my passions to aid young adults naturally evolved into supporting my children’s development and giving them the tools they need to succeed. Over the years I have found that all children have amazing innate gifts and talents waiting to be realised, so striking the perfect school/parent partnership is key to seeing these talents manifest.

I feel with the support of my fellow governors and all my experiences thus far, I am in a great position to support both Forster Park and Rangefield’s continued efforts in helping our children reach for the stars.

Jay Davies - Co-Opted Governor

Jay has worked for HM Government most of his career starting in the Department of Constitutional Affairs (now the Ministry of Justice). He spent over ten years in the Home Office in a variety of interesting and rewarding posts. For three years Jay was Assistant Private Secretary to the Permanent Secretary of the Home Office covering a period of transition between three Home Secretaries in a highly politically charged environment.

Jay was Chief of Staff to the Chief Executive of HM Passport Office and Registrar General. In that time, covering two Chief Executives and Registrar General’s, he was responsible for communications, business planning, parliamentary and diplomatic business as well as governance. Jay’s last post in the Home Office was interim Director for Communications and Corporate development.

Jay moved to the Cabinet Office on a short loan to the post of Head of Civil Service Capabilities. He worked on the moving away from the National School of Government model to the current Civil Service Learning approach. When in post he renewed the cross Civil Service capability plan working to strengthen the expert ‘professions’ within the Civil Service.

Jay moved to HM Revenue and Customs in 2015 to lead the business management function for the policy and strategy directorates. Jay was accountable for the workforce planning, business planning, performance reporting, risk management, governance and budget management.

In July 2018 Jay Davies was substantively promoted to the Senior Civil Service and currently holds the post of Deputy Director, Finance, Planning and Performance for the Customer Services Group. This area is one of the largest customer services operation within HM Government, with 23,000 employees across the country, collecting over £500 billion of revenue for the UK during the last financial year. Jay is responsible for risk, controls and assurance, security and information management as well as leading an information technology team charged with automating vast amounts of data and management information into meaningful performance reports and insight.     

Jay was diagnosed with dyslexia just before leaving primary school. When starting secondary school Jay could not spell his middle name (Bradley) and thanks to the hard work and targeted interventions of the special educational needs department at his secondary school (and a lot of hard work by Jay) he was able to complete secondary school with GCSE’s and A Levels. This has led Jay to take a personal interest in education attainment, special needs and inclusion. Jay was a governor of an infant and junior school in the London Borough of Lewisham (later just the junior school) where he became vice chair and link governor for inclusion, safeguarding and special education needs.

Jay lives in Blackheath with his husband James. He spends as much time as possible with his family and has a good social life.

Louis Howell- Co-opted Governor

Louis Howell is a dynamic and rounded professional with experience that pans the voluntary youth sector, education sector and the world of small business. Today, he co-runs an educational social enterprise, Revolution Hive, that equips young people for life by running programmes focused on Personal Development, Social Responsibility and Global Awareness at schools, colleges and universities. Louis’ experience has also led to him setting up an expert consultancy, 7PK, that helps charities, social enterprises and corporate organisations to improve their approaches to Youth and Community Development, Diversity and Inclusion and their Social Mobility Initiatives. 

His other commitments include being a trustee and council member of two UK based charities, and he is a proud member of the 100 Black Men of London. Louis’ central belief is that young people are the leaders of today.

Kerry Lynch - Co-Opted Governor

I live in south-east London and work as a Mental Health Solicitor.

Before becoming a solicitor, I worked as a care assistant to children and adults with learning disabilities for nearly 5 years, working as part of a team which encouraged those we cared for to be independent, to develop new skills and to have fun.

My work in this area led me to qualify as a solicitor practising in an area of law which supports vulnerable people who have mental health issues. In my role I provide legal advice, support and representation to people accessing mental health services in the community or detained in hospital on section under the Mental Health Act.

I have a passion for education and the opportunities it can provide, not just through learning but also through the skills we develop, the friendships and the experiences that we have in our formative years. As a governor I want to give back to the community and help ensure that our children’s education is the best it can be.

Helen Robinson - Co-opted Governor 

What do I bring to the role?

I’ve worked in Financial Services for 10 years, first as a management consultant, then at Barclays, in Group Strategy. My background means I have strong stakeholder management, project management and organisation skills. Having worked on both regulations and commercial projects, I’m equally comfortable navigating legal and regulatory texts as I am spreadsheets and financial models. I am a quick learner, and look forward to the opportunity to put my professional skills to good use in the community I live in, and to help the schools to achieve their goals.

Governor Meetings Minutes

You can request access to Governing Body Minutes at the School office.