Who's Who

Community Council

Nigel Smith - Chair of Community Council

I am proud and delighted to be Chair of the Community Council at Netherbrook Primary School.

Having been a Community Councillor for the last five years and chair since 2017, I know what a great school Netherbrook is with dedicated and passionate staff and talented and hard-working pupils. I also know that the Community Council continues to be equally hard-working and committed to ensure that Netherbrook continually improves and provides the best possible education for all its pupils.

Netherbrook became a part of The Elliot Foundation Academy Trust (TEFAT) on 1 June 2022. Within this Trust the Community Council has a number of particular responsibilities. These include:

Holding the Headteacher to account by providing challenge and support in relation to improving attainment and progress of all pupils.
Being focused on the well-being of both pupils and staff at the school.
Creating valuable lines of communication, not only with all at school, but also with other stakeholders – particularly parents and carers.
Undertaking regular training to enhance skills and keep abreast of new initiatives.

The Community Council meet four times a year. Within these meetings we also monitor the impact of the school improvement initiatives, monitor the progress of all pupils including the progress of SEND and pupil premium pupils. We also monitor, review and agree all relevant school policies. Members of the Netherbrook Community Council also have individual responsibilities to scrutinise various areas of the school, eg, special needs, safeguarding, attendance, curriculum, etc. In order to do this, Netherbrook Community Council visit the school regularly and report back on their findings.

Below you will find out further information about our Netherbrook Community Council. It tells you who they are and why they wanted to become school Netherbrook Community Council. Please take time to read through their 'pen portraits'.

We are always willing to listen and help, if required, and can be contacted via the school.

Very best wishes,

Nigel Smith
Chair of Netherbrook Community Council

Members of Netherbrook Community Council

The members are elected in consultation with the TEFAT Trustees and Leadership Team. Members include: Parents, Staff and co-opted councillors who are elected to serve for a period of four years. They may however, resign, in which case an election or recruitment process will be held to fill the relevant vacancies.

Mr N Smith Chair of Netherbrook Community Council, Co-opted Community Councillor

Mrs C Smith Vice-Chair of Netherbrook Community Council, Parent Community Councillor

Mrs G Maynes Parent Community Councillor

Mr R Trevethick Co-opted Community Councillor

Mrs T Wilkes Co-opted Community Councillor

Mr P Rawlings Headteacher

Mrs C Marshall Staff Community Councillor

Find out more about TEFAT members and trustees on the Who Are We page of the TEFAT website.

Community Council Profiles

Mrs Gail Maynes

I am very proud to be a Parent Community Councillor here at Netherbrook. My son started here back in September 2018 and I can see the passion, hard work and dedication all the staff share to reach the best outcome for all of the pupils in their care.

I was previously a Local Governor at Netherton Park Nursery and work for a Public Relations company. I have a particular interest in children's mental health and early years development.

If there is anything at all you wanted me to raise with the Community Council please feel free to chat with me if you see me around school.

Mrs Catherine Smith

I became a Parent Community Councillor at Netherbrook Primary School in March 2019. Both of my children attend Netherbrook and I have always been incredibly impressed with the consideration, kindness and care shown to them over the past 5 years. As a parent I have a vested interest in ensuring that the school is doing a great job for my children. My role as a Parent Community Councillor will allow me to provide support, and challenge, to the school to ensure that they are doing a great job for every child.

I passionately believe that the work undertaken at primary school builds the foundations that our children need to achieve their dreams, goals and ambitions - along with making happy, confident and healthy individuals. As a Community Councillor I hope to take a small role in ensuring that Netherbrook continues to provide an excellent starting point for our children.

Mr Russell Trevethick

I was a Parent Community Councillor here at Netherbrook from 2017 - 2021 which has given me the opportunity to see the hard work undertaken behind the scenes and to better understand the challenges faced by the school. I now continue to serve as a Co-opted Community Councillor following the end of my previous 4-year term of office.

As a Community Councillor I have a particular interest in ensuring all children get the best out of the school. I feel that a child's primary school is critical to their ongoing development and it's clear from my interactions with the school that there is passion and commitment from the Head Teacher and staff in this regard.

In my 18-year career in Financial Services, I have developed a number of skills that enable me to both challenge and support the school to deliver the best outcomes for the school and the children. I look forward to helping Netherbrook and contributing to its continued success.

I grew up in Bristol but moved to the Midlands over forty years ago and have lived and worked in the local community for thirty-five years, twenty-nine of these at Netherbrook Primary school.

Following my retirement, however, I still wanted to have a role within a school and I am delighted to take on the role of Co-opted Community Councillor; using my background and experience in education I am passionate about supporting Netherbrook in any way I can, so that together we can ensure that every child will achieve their full potential. I approach my role with excitement and enthusiasm and look forward to talking to many children and parents during my visits to the school, please come and share your thoughts with me.