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Matt Butchers
Co-opted Governor
- Member of the Full Governing Body Committee
- Chair of the POPC Committee
- Member of the Resources Committee
I am a secondary school teacher in a comprehensive school in Reading. I have over 17 years experience in schools, 9 of which have been in a leadership capacity. I have also spent four years as a staff governor at my current school.
My passion is music and I am an active member of both the Wokingham St Sebastian Brass Band and the Aldworth Philharmonic Orchestra.
Sam Dowse
Local Authority Governor
- Chair of Governors
- Chair of the Full Governing Body Committee
- Member of the POPC Committee
- Member of the Resources Committee
- Health & Safety Governor (temporary)
- Safeguarding Governor (temporary)
I was very excited to become a parent governor in September 2017 and then Chair of Governors in September 2018 l as I wanted to make a difference for the Emmbrook children.
Darrell Frost
Co-opted Governor
- Member of the Full Governing Body Committee
- Vice Chair of the Resources Committee
- Member of the Finances Link Committee
- Chair of the Pay Committee
- Development Governor, Strategy Governor, Science Governor, ICT Governor and Year 5 Cohort Governor
I’ve been involved in school governance since September 2014 and have followed my own two children through the Emmbrook Infant and Junior settings. Over that time, I have been able to bring my business and marketing background to help develop school strategy and make continuous improvement.
Craig Johnson
Co-opted Governor
- Co-opted Governor Member of the Full Governing Body Committee
- Member of the Resources Committee
- Safeguarding Governor (onboarding)
I have been a secondary teacher in Emmbrook for 13 years, the last 3 as a senior leader with an overview of transition.
I am passionate about spreading enthusiasm about Business and Economics.
Having been a student of Emmbrook Senior school, and now a member of staff, I have a real interest in developing the youth in our community.
Outside of work I am a scout volunteer and run a Beaver pack.
Christine Mitchell
Co-opted Governor
- Vice Chair of Full Governing Body Committee
- Member of the POPC Committee
- Member of the Resources Committee
- Literacy Subject Matter Governor
I have had a family home in Wokingham for the last 35 years and my children grew up and went to school here. I taught locally and took retirement two years ago after spending the last 18 years as Headteacher of two very different primary schools in Bracknell and Birmingham.
All children are individuals and have their own strengths and needs. I want to support the school in ensuring that these are met and that every child thrives. I am keen to support the whole school community to do this.
Keith Perkins
Co-opted Governor
- Member of the Full Governing Body Committee
- Chair of the Resources Committee
- Chair of the Finances Link Committee
- Member of the POPC Committee
- Chair of the HT Appraisal Committee
- Member of the Pay Committee
- MFL and PE subject link governor
I became a full school governor in September 2018. My 2 children are 26 and 21 years of age so it was an opportunity to give back to the community. I have recently retired after 43 years at 3M and have IT, Business and Leadership experience that I can call on to help the school. I am heavily involved in all committees and relish the opportunity to help shape the school’s future and contribute to our improvement and learning journey.
Katherine Pritchard
Parent Governor
- Member of the Full Governing Body Committee
- Cohort governor
- Wellbeing governor
- PSHE and RE subject link governor
I have been a parent governor at EJS since May 2019. I have 2 daughters who attend the school in years 5 and 6. I have been a Paediatric Speech and Language Therapist since 2006 and I am currently working as a Lecturer at the University of Reading. Professionally I have always worked alongside and in collaboration with schools supporting children who have speech, language and communication needs. I bring this experience to my role as Inclusion Governor. I am passionate about all children receiving the education that they deserve and reaching their full potential. My hobbies include cooking, gardening and yoga.
Ruth Scales
Deputy Head Teacher
- Member of the Full Governing Body Committee
- Member of the POPC Committee
- Member of the Resources Committee
I have spent the last 19 years teaching and leading in primary schools. I have worked as an Assistant Head across a primary federation, had two Deputy Headships and one Acting Headship. I was awarded the role of Leading Literacy Teacher in 2005, qualified as an Advanced Skills Teacher in 2007 and have recently been awarded my National Professional Qualification for Headship. This has given me a broad range of experience of senior leadership, leading teaching and learning; coaching, mentoring and training others; and developing the curriculum. I have also gained valuable communication and people skills throughout my career. I spent the first six years of my teaching career working at Emmbrook Junior School and am so happy to be back working here once more as the Deputy Head Teacher and being part of the school’s improvement journey.
Jim Usher
Ex-officio Governor
Head Teacher
- Member of the Full Governing Body Committee
- Member of the POPC Committee
- Member of the Resources Committee
- Member of the Finances Link Committee
I have the great pleasure and responsibility of being the Head Teacher of Emmbrook Junior School. I joined EJS at the start of the Summer term in 2020. Prior to starting at Emmbrook I was Head of School at an all through 1-form entry primary school in West London and an assistant head for 7 years at a large 3-form entry primary school prior to that.
I have a wide range of experience leading learning within the classroom; professional development of colleagues and whole school leadership.
The team have worked very hard to achieve our ‘Good’ Ofsted rating and I look forward to leading the school as we continue our improvement journey. This is a fantastic school and I feel very privileged to work here.
Outside of school I have two children Jacob and Elizabeth, my wife, Louise teaches dance and I enjoy running, martial arts, golf and snowboarding.