Governors

Welcome to our Governors’ section. 

The GROW, LEARN, FLOURISH FEDERATION

We share our governing body and Executive Head Teacher with our federation school - St Mary's Credenhill.

The formal Federation between St Mary's Primary and Much Birch Primary schools started in September 2019. The Federation is called "The Grow, Learn, Flourish Herefordshire Partnership", however, both schools retain their original titles.

There is much to celebrate regarding the success of both schools. Early Years, KS1 and KS2 results were mainly well above national levels, which is a tribute to the work of our Executive Head and the staff of the schools across the Partnership. 

In October 2019 St Mary's was graded “Good” in their Church SIAMS inspection and Much Birch was also graded “Good” in their recent OFSTED inspection.  In November 2022 Much Birch was graded ‘Good’ with elements of ‘Excellent’ in their church SIAMS – our most recent Ofsted (2018) was also ‘Good’. We have the chance to build on these inspections to enable our children to flourish in their education.

There will be termly full Governing Body meetings and there will also be termly meetings for the Curriculum & Standards Committee, which will cover both schools.  We have decided to retain separate committees for Resources (finance) and Well-being who also meet termly. 

Next Full Governing Body Meeting is on: Thurs 29th February 2024 @ St Mary's

Meet the Governors

Reverend Mark Johnson

I am Chair of the Governors and have lived in Much Birch for the last 14 years. Through that time I have been a part of the school community and very enjoyed leading the collective worship. I also look after a number of local parishes and churches.

I am married to Lynn and have three grown children all in their twenties.

When not dashing about the parishes, I enjoy reading and running and you can often find me on a Saturday morning at Hereford Parkrun and sometimes out on the trails around Much Birch.

Richard Wydenbach

I joined St Mary's Credenhill Governing Body at Easter 2007.  After twelve months I was made Vice Chair of Governors and twelve months later became Chair of Governors.  I remained Chair of Governors until the Federation was formed, since which I have been Acting Chair of Governors, Vice Chair of Governors and have chaired several committees.  At this moment in time I am a member of the Curriculum and  Standards Committee, Wellbeing and Resources Committees. 

I have been fortunate that my twin brother has been a member of the NGLA in Sheffield and the north and I have been able to get valuable advice in my role as Governor.

I was Head of PE at Weobley HS for thirty-six years as well as Head of Year.  I mentored PGCE Students from the University of Worcester whilst teaching and when I retired I worked for the University part-time assisting the PGCE course.  I am still very involved in local sport and hold a variety of roles in the County of Herefordshire.  So it will  be no surprise that I am the Link Governor for PE.

I have three children and seven grandchildren and what spare time I have is spent visiting them in London, Nantwich and Northern Ireland.

Michael Agyeman

My wife and I live in Kingsthorne. We have three lovely and lively girls, two of whom attend Much Birch. I was elected as a Parent Governor in 2023 and recently joined the Resources & Finance committee.

Professionally, I am a Chartered Engineer with a degree in Materials Science and Engineering. Throughout my career, I have had the privilege of working across various industries, gaining valuable experiences and insights along the way.

As a Parent Governor, I understand the importance of serving as a “Critical Friend”, holding our schools accountable ensuring that high standards are maintained.

Carrie Edwards

Hello, I am Carrie, a passionate advocate for education and realistic and sustainable wellbeing for all. With a background in Psychology and a PGCE qualification, I embarked on a career in education, initially at Farnborough Sixth Form College and later at Hereford Sixth Form College (HSFC).

Brian McCartney

I am a Learning and Development professional and hold a Post Graduate Certificate in Education (Post-Compulsory Education and Training) and a MSc Educational Practice and Innovation. I have extensive experience in training governance, assurance and delivery, and am ISO 9001 QMS Lead Auditor qualified. I am keen to share this knowledge as chair of the Standards Committee.

I have 1 son at St Mary’s so also have a keen personal interest in the school’s development.

Jemma Pattison

I am from a military family where my main job is mother to my three children. I have worked with schools for almost 20 years and work full time as a Director of an Education Recruitment Business based in Herefordshire where I work with schools and educational professionals daily and by doing so have a very clear understanding of school finances and cost implications.

Alongside work and home life we are a very sport orientated family which includes netball, football, swimming, gymnastics and trampolining! I coach netball and trampolining weekly to children aged 5 upwards which I thoroughly enjoy.

I have been lucky enough to have been elected as a Parent Governor for over 11 years and enjoy being part of the passionate committee that supports the Federation.

Annie Fisher

My children attended Herefordshire Primary Schools for their entire primary careers.

I have been a school governor for eleven years, and was Vice-Chair for six of those. I have served on both the Finance and Buildings Committee, and the Curriculum and Standards Committee. My current responsibility for Much Birch is child protection and safeguarding, a role that I have held at other schools for several years. I am also the chair of the Much Birch Wellbeing Committee.

Outside school, I am a director of a local Community Project, the treasurer of the Ross Community Larder, and I also sit on the Gloucestershire School Admission Appeals board.

It is important to me that both St Mary’s and Much Birch continue to flourish and improve, and I would like to ensure that the Federation continues to produce the happy, fulfilled, confident, polite and successful children that it does today. I am an associate governor and hav the responsibility for safeguarding at Much Birch.

Bernie Davies

I qualified as a teacher in 1999 and have taught all year groups (a number of times!).

I have worked in Herefordshire schools ever since and began a leadership career in 2007. My inspiration to teach was my dad and my Year 6 teacher! Thank you Mr Booth. It is simply the best job in the world and improving outcomes for children is the most rewarding post ever. I became an executive head teacher in 2017 and am lucky enough to look after St Mary’s, Credenhill School too.

I am so lucky to have such an amazing team and we are a welcoming family.

Outside of school I have two grown up children and bringing them up has been an education and a privilege in its own right. I also have a beautiful granddaughter. I am on the federation standards committees and both resources committees.

Anna Ricketts

I have been teaching since 1998 predominately in Gloucestershire but moved to teach in Herefordshire in 2019 when I became the Deputy Head at Much Birch.  I have taught all year groups for the past 26 years and love working with children and families.  As well as teaching, I studied for my NPQSL in 2021 alongside the job. 

I love working at Much Birch as the team and parents have welcomed me, the team work so hard to give the children the best and foster the family feel we are known for.

As well as working full time, I also have 2 teenage children and my youngest third child who recently moved to join us at Much Birch as well as 2 crazy dogs.  I love to sing and the highlight of my year is working with Y5/6 on our fabulous Summer Productions.

I am an associate governor and on the Much Birch well-being and Federation standards committees.

Kim Jones

I have been teaching for nearly 20 years and in that time I have taught in both KS1 and KS2 with the majority of my teaching in years 5 and 6.

I am very proud to be the Deputy Head of St Mary's Primary School and thoroughly enjoy working with our wonderful children and very talented staff.

When I am not working, I love a road trip and exploring places I have never been with friends and family.  At home I am known for always saying, "I wonder what's around that corner."

I am an associate governor and on the St Mary's well-being and Federation standards committees. 

Charis White

Much Birch is my local primary school and all three of my children came to Much Birch with my eldest child starting here in 1998.

I have been teaching for over 35 years in London, Gloucestershire and since 2000, here at Much Birch.

I was on the PTFA for 18 years and have been the staff elected governor since 2019.

I serve on the Much Birch Wellbeing Committee and the Curriculum and Standards committee.

Emma South

I qualified as a primary school teacher in 1994. Since qualifying I have worked in a variety of roles in schools for the last 30 years. I have been in my current role at St Mary’s since 2018 although I previously work here from 2011-2013.

I was elected staff governor in September 2023. I also serve on the Wellbeing Committee at St Mary’s.