Meet the Meadowside Governing Board
The Governing Board plays a key role in supporting and challenging the school to ensure the best possible outcomes for our children. We work closely with the Headteacher and staff to set strategic direction, uphold high expectations, and help Meadowside continue to thrive.
We’re proud to be part of a period of positive change and opportunity at Meadowside and are committed to working together as one team for the benefit of pupils, staff and families.
What Governors Do
- Help set the school’s strategic direction
- Support and challenge school leadership
- Oversee areas such as curriculum, safeguarding, finance and wellbeing
- Ensure statutory responsibilities are met
- Act in the best interests of all pupils
How We Work
The Governing Board meets regularly throughout the year at Full Governing Board (FGB) meetings. In addition, governors work in smaller groups to look more closely at key areas of school life.
Curriculum Working Group
Strengthens the link between governors and classroom practice, helping us better understand the curriculum, teaching and pupil progress across the school.
Resources Working Group
Focuses on finance, staffing, premises, and health and safety to ensure the school runs safely and sustainably.
Meet the Governors
Craig Broadman
Chair: Finance & Compliance; Data & Insight; Health & Safety/Premises
About Me: I’m a software architect by profession and have been part of the Meadowside community for many years. I’ve served as a governor for six years, holding varying roles during that time, and I care deeply about supporting the school through strong teamwork, high expectations and meaningful oversight.
Fun/Personal Detail: I manage a senior football side and still try to play a bit myself, and most weekends you’ll find me watching my own children play too.
Unique skill: Turning complex ideas into simple, clear explanations — a perk of my day job and surprisingly useful in governance.
Meadowside memory: Seeing my own children flourish here and develop important life skills has been a real privilege.
Anamika Dam
Vice-Chair: Pupil Premium and Sports Premium; Website Compliance; Policies; GDPR;
About Me: I’m a nuclear engineer and have lived in Quedgeley for nearly 25 years. I have been a governor for two years and currently have the privilege of serving as Vice Chair. I love the school and try to support our community in any way I can.
Fun/Personal Detail: I love travelling, and in my youth I travelled solo through South America for four months. Like Craig, I now spend most weekends watching my child play football, basketball and athletics.
Unique skill: Spotting issues, analysing them and finding solutions — a key part of my job, and something I hope benefits our governance work.
Meadowside memory: When staff and governors created a video set to “I’ll Be There for You” during the pandemic — it made me laugh and cry at the same time. Meadowside is phenomenal at making you feel positive, proud and human.
Vikki Whitlock
Staff: SEND; Curriculum;
About Me: I have been teaching for 26 years (yes, I don’t look old enough!), and between Longlevens and Meadowside I have taught every year group. Before becoming a teacher, I ran my own dance studio in Stroud with a branch school in Longlevens, choreographed and ran Gloucester Youth Dance Company, and taught A-Level Dance at Ribston. I am passionate about ensuring children have the best possible offer from Meadowside, so being a governor also gives me a whole different perspective..
Fun/Personal Detail: Proud mum of three daughters who all attended Meadowside and are now thriving. I’ve played saxophone, clarinet and piano to a high level, and my favourite sport is tennis — I even worked at Wimbledon during my years living in London.
Unique skill: Finding the silver lining in every cloud; multi-tasking; and (less proudly!) forgetting where I put my keys.
Meadowside memory: Winning the trophy at Cheltenham Dance Festival, beating several prestigious private schools — go Meadowside!
Rebecca Kerslake
Safeguarding
About Me: I’m a secondary school maths teacher and have two daughters at Meadowside. My eldest is in Year 6, and I’ve been a governor for four years.
Fun/Personal Detail: I secretly run a zoo and botanical garden — four pets (not counting the children!) and more than 200 houseplants.
Unique skill: Offering both a teacher’s and a parent’s perspective.
Meadowside memory: The day I forgot Pirate Day — my children never mention it but I remain traumatised. Huge thanks to Miss Palmer who saved the day (and my blushes).
Debbie Smith
SEND & Inclusion; Staff & Student Wellbeing
About Me: My background is in the care sector: I worked for the National Children’s Home supporting children with learning difficulties and complex medical needs, then ran a respite unit for adults with severe learning difficulties. After having my own children (my eldest has a rare genetic disorder), I became a full-time mum and carer. I’m passionate about children’s health and happiness and hope to make a lasting, positive contribution as a governor.
Fun/Personal Detail: I’ve volunteered at Meadowside for nine years — I love it, the staff are wonderful, and the children are a joy.
Unique skill: Arts and crafts — I’m often found making wall displays, props, or sets for school plays!
Meadowside memory: Too many to count — Mrs Joyner’s humour, Mrs Drummond’s enthusiasm, Mr Port’s fabulous non-uniform outfits, and of course the end-of-year plays where Meadowside shines every year.
Sharon Phillips
EYFS
About Me: I’m a new governor and proud Group Manager at Little Meadow, where I’ve worked since 2001. I have three children, two of whom attended Meadowside, and my youngest was in Mr Port’s first ever class. I now have a grandson enjoying his own Meadowside journey. I’m passionate about the power of quality early education and excited to take on the role of EYFS Governor.
Fun/Personal Detail: I divide my time between Quedgeley and my happy place in Devon — often travelling down the M5 with my two lively springer spaniels.
Unique skill: I love baking, especially themed birthday cakes — the bigger the tier, the better!
Meadowside memory: Hearing “Cauliflowers Fluffy” sung at Harvest for the first time and realising Meadowside is so much more than a school.
Governor Attendance
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