Governors
Welcome to our Governors’ section.
Please find below details of how our Governing body is structured, including the names, categories, responsibilities and terms of appointment for each Governor.
The Governing body at John T. Rice Infant and Nursery School work incredibly hard to support and challenge the school's leadership team. This support helped to secure a Good from OFSTED in 2023 and provides a healthy level of challenge to move the school forward.
Our governing body is made up of 8 members:
1 headteacher, 1 staff governor, 2 parent governors, 3 co-opted governors and 1 LA governor. There is a chair and vice chair and a headteacher.
The governors believe it is important that boards reflect the diversity of the school communities they serve. Diverse boards, promote inclusive school environments and provide diverse role models for staff and young people. As a small governing body, the decision has been taken to opt out of publishing diversity data to ensure the board members' anonymity.
Meet our Governors
Chair of Governors LA Governor Miss Ruth Palmer
Co-opted Governor - Mrs Kerry Cheetham
Co-Opted Governor - Mr Luke Kapler
Parent Governor - Miss Keeley Hallows
Parent Governor-Mr Dale Karim
Staff Governor - Mrs Joanne Smith
Headteacher Mrs Shelley Bennett
Miss Ruth Palmer (Local Authority Governor)
CHAIR OF GOVERNORS
Appointed - 25.09.2023
Term of office - 2 years
Strategic development and Pupil committee chair & vice chair of Finance committee
Responsibility for safeguarding, English & phonics & HT appraisal
Ruth has always had an interest in Education and is a trained teacher. She currently works for multi academy trust in their governor services and has a background in budgets, buying and selling. She has been part of the governing body for 4 years and really does show an interest in all aspects of school.
Miss Keeley Hallows (Parent Governor)
Appointed 28.06.2021
Term of office - 4 years
Strategic development & pupil committee member.
Responsibility - PE sport funding
Keeley is a parent of a child who has now moved on to the junior school.
Mrs Kerry Cheetham (Co-opted governor)
Appointed 23.09.2024
Term of office - 4 years
Finance and personnel committee member and strategic development & pupil committee member.
Responsibility:
Over the last 18 years I have had a variety of roles in education ranging from: parent helper, Teaching Assistant to more recently Teacher. I am passionate about providing a balanced and broad education to all children and I hope to use the skills I have learnt to support John T Rice. I love reading and can often be found in a book shop at the weekend buying a new book. In the evenings, I enjoy eating chocolate and watching Korean dramas which are helping me learn Korean.
Mr Dale Karim (Parent governor)
Appointed 3.10.2024
Term of office - 4 years
Finance and personnel committee member and strategic development & pupil committee member
Responsibility:
Mr Karim is a parent of a reception child in school . He works for a multi academy trust, and is the current lead for the Quality of Education and has extensive experience in driving quality improvements through staff development, quality assurance and compliance in further education. He oversees the training to enhance standards across various educational pathways, including Early Years and Teaching Assistant qualifications.
Mr Luke Kapler (Co-opted governor)
3.10.2024
Term of office - 4 years
Finance and personnel committee member and strategic development & pupil committee member
Responsibility:
As a serving member of the Armed Forces, Mr Kapler moved to the village three years ago to provide stability for his daughters. During deployment last Christmas, the school and community supported Mr Kapler's family through a difficult time. Becoming a governor is a meaningful way to give back. He is eager to use his experience and commitment to help create a positive environment where every child can flourish. He believes it would be a privilege to support the school’s future.
Mrs Joanne Smith (Staff Governor)
Appointed 12.05.2022
Term of office - 4 years
Finance and personnel committee member and strategic development & pupil committee member.
Joanne is the Deputy Head at school and leads and manages Key Stage 1. Joanne has responsibility for leading the curriculum. She lives at home with her husband and son and chocolate labrador!
Mrs Shelley Bennett (Head Teacher)
Appointed 1st April 2018
Mrs Bennett joined the school in April 2018 as the Headteacher and it is her first Headship. She worked as a Deputy Head teacher at Crescent Primary School in Mansfield for 7 years prior to taking up Headship. She is passionate about learning and relishes the opportunity to serve the children, parents and staff at John T. Rice Infant school. During the weekends and holidays, Mrs Bennett loves walking her chocolate Labrador and spending valuable time with her family. Together with that, her hobbies include collecting pets (much to her husbands dismay!), horse riding, reading and trying to keep fit!
