Meet the Governors
Quintin Abrams
Co-opted Governor
Hello, my name is Quintin Abrams, and I joined the Governing board at Manor Field Junior School in March 2023. This is an honour and I am looking forward to also contributing to the resources committee, supporting wherever I possibly can.
My background is in Mergers and Acquisitions, primarily as a Project Manager, and have many years of helping business owners, wanting to sell their business, find a suitable buyer. With this comes a breadth of commercial experience and transferable skills that can be used to impact the Governing board, Resources Committee and ultimately the school positively. I have lived in Brighton Hill for 18 years and desire to be actively involved in the community, and what better way than to help, in some way, impact the next generation.
I look forward to serving as a governor at Manor Field Junior School and being a part of contributing to the positive outcomes for the children.
Zoe Blagbrough
Hello, my name is Zoe Blagbrough and I have joined the Governing Board as Staff
Governor.
I previously taught in Reading and became part of the Manor Field School teaching staff in September 2022.
As part of this Governing Board, I want to share my aims to make a difference in the interests of all the children's futures. I am also well placed to understand the staff views.
I am looking forward to working with a team that has a vast range of skills and experiences and wants to make Manor Field Junior School an outstanding environment for everyone.
Liam Buggs
Co-opted Governor
Hello, my name is Liam Buggs and I joined the governing board at Manor Field Junior School in June 2022. I am excited to support the school as a governor and contribute to the curriculum committee, safeguarding and pupil premium lead roles.
My background is in education having spent a number of years as a primary teacher and senior leader in schools across Surrey; leading on strategic vision for full-through teaching and learning, raising attainment and standards as well as day-to-day school management.
In 2021 I moved to the private sector and am currently the Chief Innovation Officer within a Managed Service Provider, supporting around 115 primary, secondary, independent, FE and specialist schools and MATs across Surrey, London and Sussex. This is a hugely rewarding role where I am able to work both on the ground with pupils and staff in effective and impactful use of technology to support teaching and learning but also support at organisation and trust level with workflow efficiencies, long-term strategies with emerging technologies and regulative structures.
I look forward to serving as a governor at Manor Field Junior School and supporting the school in building success for all through a culture of respect and high expectations.
Kevin Cleveland
Co-opted Governor & Chair of the Full Governing Board
My name is Kevin Cleveland, I am currently the chair of the governing body, a post I have held for a number of years. I joined the governing body as a parent governor some twenty years ago, moving to a co-opted governor once my three grown children had passed through the school.
I have seen a number of changes, challenges, successes and disappointments within my time on the governing body, yet every time the school community pick themselves up and strive to take the school to a higher level. I have a firm belief that every child should be encouraged and supported to obtain their best ability.
I have the pleasure to work alongside people within our governing body who are fully committed to Manor Field Junior School.
Jini Cherian
Local Authority Governor & Vice Chair of the Full Governing Board
Hello, I am Jini Elizabeth Cherian. I joined the Manor Field Junior School as a parent governor in 2012 when my family moved to Basingstoke. I became a governor because I thought it would be good for my child to see how the school worked and would help me meet my new community. The more I understood about the school, and the passion I saw with which my fellow governors and every staff member worked to enable and ensure that each and every child not only to be successful learners, but successful individuals, as a whole- encouraged me to stay as a part of the team, even after my child graduated from secondary school. I became the Local Authority Governor in 2016 and the Vice Chair of the Full Governing Board in 2021.
I am very proud to be a part of a team that is inclusive, caring and respectful, and has the interest of every stakeholder in mind.
Andy Geary
Parent Governor & Chair of the Resources Committee
Hi, my name is Andy Geary, and I’ve been a governor at Manor Field Junior School since 2018, and also at the Infants since 2015.
I’ve had several jobs in my life including working for a major bank and several government departments, so have quite a bit of financial experience. This has been used to assist the school in my role as Chair of the Resources committee. In short, our collective job here is to check the budget spending – to ensure the school spends what it gets in to best further the education of all the children – and doesn’t over or under spend.
One of my other roles is to act as the Health & Safety Governor. This draws on my experiences in property development and working in a local DIY shop. I regularly visit the school and chat to Caretaker, Headteacher and other interested parties to make sure that the whole site is a safe place to look after our children – I’m a parent too. If you have any concerns or comments about the school site, please drop a note into reception, and they will be addressed.
Nobody can possibly know everything, but as a team, the governing body draws together our individual skills and experiences to support the whole teaching staff, school and community to help to bring our children up to be the best they can be.
Nicola Lee-Ratcliff
Parent Governor
Hello, I’m Nicola and I have been a Parent Governor since March 2021. I currently have two children at the school and am a former pupil myself.
I have worked in Local Government for more than 15 years and currently lead a team within Housing and Social Inclusion.
I was keen to take up this position as I have a passion for quality and inclusive education that’s accessible to all. In my day job I strive to make a difference and felt this role provided a welcome opportunity to extend this beyond my working day.
I am proud to be part of the Governing Board at Manor Field Juniors and feel that I have a valuable contribution to make in overseeing the continued delivery of an environment where staff are committed to delivering quality outcomes and supporting children to achieve their best and where the children themselves feel valued, safe and able to succeed.
In my spare time I enjoy reading, music and spending time with friends and family.
Dave Rebbettes
Co-opted Governor
Hi, I’m Dave Rebbettes. I joined the team of Governors in March 2023. I am semi retired and have taken up this role now that I have a bit more time to help in the community. I love the ethos and culture of MFJS.
My background is in business and I have launched and run a good sized international company for 30+ years. I have lectured to the business community all over the world. My wife and I have 7 grandchildren aged 4-12 and we love our family life together. I am also a keen sailor.
These days, amongst other things I am the Pastor at King’s Church, which meets on most Sunday mornings at MFJS. Quite a few of the church members volunteer at the school and love to help the amazing children in the community.
I have plenty to learn and am looking forward to working with the Team. Hope to meet you around the school one of these days.
Paul Shakespeare
Headteacher
I am Paul Shakespeare and on the 1st January 2021 I became the new Headteacher of MFJS! My role is to over-see the strategic direction of the school and support all the staff to deliver high quality outcomes, for all children, both academically and socially, within a caring and nurturing environment.
MFJS has a special ethos rooted in the United Nation Convention on the Rights of the Child; the children here celebrate diversity and are taught to treat everyone equally.
I believe that all the children will thrive as we work together to achieve the best possible outcomes whatever their needs, irrespective of the starting points of the children. The children are delightful and the staff are totally committed to ensuring all children enjoy attending school and achieve the best possible outcomes.
Nicola Vickery
Co-opted Governor
Having joined in October 2022 I am looking forward to working with the MFJS governing body. I am passionate about children's education and ensuring they get the very best from their time at Manor Field. I also strongly believe in breaking down any barriers and finding inclusive solutions for all children to access their learning in whatever way necessary. I joined the Governing body so I can help the school continue to encourage, create, and sustain an environment for every child to learn and grow.
I have 10+ years of experience in early years education and management and hope to bring the skills used within this role to contribute to the strategic decision making of the Governing Body. I am also in my third academic year as a Learning Support Assistant.