Governors

Our Governors

Rockingham Primary School is governed by an Academy Scrutiny Committee.

Our governors are:

Kelly Brawn

Parent Governor (Chair)

Kelly Brawn

Kelly has recently been re-appointed for a second term of office as a Parent Governor. She has also been re-elected Chair of the ASC by her fellow governors. She decided to become a governor to support her boys within the academy. She wanted to be able to challenge the Trust and the academy on issues as a parent she felt and still feels matter. Kelly is a SEN Teaching Assistant for a different Trust and believes working in a school helps with the role. She gets to see schools from a parent and staff viewpoint. Kelly brings to the ASC passion for Rockingham as she loves the academy and wants it to continue to be the best school in Corby. She is organised, committed, and has many different skills. Kelly is also now a Welfare Officer for a local football club which in turn also enables her to have more Safeguarding knowledge. Her interests are her sons, Manchester United Football, theme parks and dressing up in costumes for the children in the academy to brighten their day.
Dr Cath Arnold

DRET Appointed Governor (Vice Chair)

Dr Cath Arnold

Cath is currently serving her second term of office as a DRET Appointed Governor when she was originally appointed on 26 October 2015. She was also a governor at Lodge Park Academy in Corby. Cath is interested in education and in supporting children to fulfil their potential. In addition to her general interest, she is a local and was brought up and went to school in the community. Cath was a nursery teacher, researcher, Lecturer and author with her specialisms being early development and learning, how young children learn and working with families. She has held responsible positions in leadership roles. She brings knowledge of the local community as well as some knowledge of education and research. Cath is interested in sport, reading, socialising and family.
Danielle Wensley

DRET Appointed Governor

Danielle Wensley

Danielle is currently serving her second term of office as a DRET Appointed Governor, originally appointed on 25 March 2014. She became a governor around the same time she started volunteering at the academy to give her more experience of school life and teaching. As an ex-pupil of Rockingham she always wanted to give something back and help children attending the academy to have the same amazing experience and brilliant memories she remembers from her years spent there. When she first joined as a governor she had just completed her BA in Media Production at Coventry University and was considering taking a PGCE route into teaching. The fantastic staff and governors at Rockingham were very supportive of this and supported her to fulfil her ambitions. She now works at Greenfields Primary School in Kettering where she is currently a class teacher in year 3 with leadership responsibilities for Talk4Reading, DT and also in a pastoral role focusing on behaviour across the academy. Danielle has a passion for teaching and learning. She is always reading about or listening to ways she can improve her teaching practice and help improve the learning experience for children in her classroom and across the Trust. Danielle also loves music and sports and although her skills in this area are not one of her strengths, she loves to see her own children improving their skills in these areas. Her two sons always teach her new skills in these areas.
Michelle Brett

DRET Appointed Governor

Michelle Brett
Michelle Jackson

DRET Appointed Governor

Michelle Jackson

Michelle was appointed a Staff Governor on 24 January 2020. She decided to become a governor to enable her to use her knowledge of the children, staff and the academy to help the academy continue to move forwards. Michelle has been a teacher for more than 20 years and is currently Assistant Head at Rockingham Primary School. She brings her knowledge and understanding of the academy to the Academy Scrutiny Committee. In her free time, Michelle is an avid reader of children's books. She also enjoys baking, gardening and spending time with her family, friends and pet dog.
Talvinder Singh Sembhi

DRET Appointed Governor

Talvinder Singh Sembhi

Talvinder was appointed a DRET Appointed Governor on 8 January 2020, after wishing to apply his skills acquired in industry to public service. He believes it is Good to give back, especially if he can help make a positive difference. Talvinder is a qualified Management Accountant and has professional experience in Supply Chain Logistics and Transportation. His passions and interests include his family. Fatherhood is a blessing and he cherishes watching his two children grow up. He loves to travel and so far has visited seventeen different countries.
Adam Lea

DRET Appointed Governor

Adam Lea

I became a governor to give back into my local community and make a positive difference in children’s lives. I want to continue developing my knowledge of education and apply my skills in a meaningful way. I am currently employed at United Learning as a HR Officer. I support schools and nurseries across England providing a range of HR advice. This can include employee casework, mediating disputes or conducting safeguarding audits to ensure sound recruitment checks are taking place. I enjoy watching sci-fi movies or TV shows and visiting English Heritage sites.
Rebecca Harman

Staff Governor

Rebecca Harman

Rebecca was appointed a Staff Governor on 10 October 2022. She is a class teacher, EVC, science and maths lead at Rockingham Primary School. She is passionate about the school community and wishes to continue to enhance the experiences that the children, staff and families have at Rockingham. Rebecca has a passion for developing a love for learning. She is an analytical person, who is able to analyse data and statistics in order to track progress and identify where gaps are in learning. In addition to this, Rebecca has a strong knowledge of and experience in instructional teaching strategies used to develop effective teaching and learning. With her experience of the school, children and staff, she is able to provide a perspective on concepts discussed within governors that others may not have. Rebecca enjoys spending time with her family, baking, reading and she is a big rugby fan supporting Exeter Chiefs.
Sophie Lane

Staff Governor

Sophie Lane

Sophie originally joined the ASC as a Parent Governor on 15 October 2019. However, she has since been re-appointed a Staff Governor after becoming employed by the academy. Sophie has a keen interest in the educational system. She grew up in Corby, and since moved away to complete studies, but has chosen to move back and bring up her own children in the town. She has a passion to support local children to achieve, and to be offered, a great educational experience. Sophie has previous managerial experience however more recently has taken some time out to raise her children. She volunteers at the Corby Musical and Performing Arts Centre and Pen Green Centre, thus bringing experience of other local educational platforms. Sophie also enjoys music and playing the trombone.
Emma Stephens-Dunn

Clerk

Emma Stephens-Dunn

Emma Stephens-Dunn has been clerking academies for DRET since 2013. Emma is Clerk to ASCs for all but one of the academies in the DRET Greater Corby Region, as well as an independent Clerk for several other schools in Northamptonshire, and Company Secretary for a Peterborough based Multi-Academy Trust. Emma has also served as a governor for fifteen years, in three different schools. Emma is Chair of Governors at one of the schools. She has a broad insight into school governance across all sizes, types and phases of school. She has an excellent understanding of current issues in education as well as best practice in governance. Emma has four children aged between eight and twenty and is therefore keenly aware of the crucial role played by education in shaping young lives. Emma enjoys supporting governors to fulfil their role within this through providing governance advice and guidance and an efficient governance administration service. Emma's interests and hobbies include gardening, singing, fitness, running and walking with her two dogs.
,
Emma Goodwin

Principal

Emma Goodwin

Governor Assigned Responsibilities

Attendance - Michelle Jackson

English - Cath Arnold

EYFS - Cath Arnold

Maths - Sophie Lane and Kelly Brawn

Music - Sophie Lane and Kelly Brawn

PE/Sport - Kelly Brawn

PSHE/Behaviour - Michelle Jackson

Pupil Premium - Talvinder Sembhi

Safeguarding - Adam Lea

SEND - Danielle Wensley and Michelle Brett

Contacting a Governor

To contact a governor, please contact the Trust Governance Team by emailing governance@dret.co.uk.

If you are looking to contact a Governor to make a complaint or share a concern, please note that as per our Complaints Policy, governors do not investigate complaints at Stage 1 or Stage 2. This enables them to be impartial should a complaint be escalated to a Stage 3 governor panel. If you wish to make a complaint, please complete this form and your complaint will be investigated accordingly.

Scheme of Delegation

Information about the David Ross Education Trust’s scheme of delegation is available here.

Minutes of the Academy Scrutiny Committee

Should you wish to view a copy of the minutes of the ASC at this academy, please contact the Trust Governance Team, who will be able to provide you with an electronic or paper copy of the minutes.

Are you interested in becoming an academy governor?

We are looking for new governors to support our academies. Our governors work closely with their academies to support the Trust’s goal of broadening the horizons of young people through a world-class education, equipping our students with the skills and experiences to become their confident, academic best, no matter what.

If you have an interest in, and commitment to, improving education and would like to make a difference within your community, please register your interest in becoming a governor by completing our governor application form. If you have any questions about a governor’s role or responsibilities please contact us at governance@dret.co.uk or review our information pack below.

governor recruitment booklet summer 2023.pdf

What is it like being a governor with DRET?

To understand what it is like to be a governor with us, take a look at our testimonial booklet and videos which contain insights from serving governors.

governor testimonial booklet.pdf