in brief
At Bromsgrove pupils and staff regularly contribute their time, energy and expertise to help others through community service, outreach and charity work and fundraising. What follows is a sample of the range of work we do and the aims we have to develop what we offer and how we interact with our communities and the environment.
aims
Working with the wider community has always been part of Bromsgrove’s DNA. We believe it is important that we are good neighbours to those around us. We want pupils to go on to make their positive mark around the world and preparation for this begins when they are at School. They are encouraged to work with the local and wider community and the School itself sets an example by sharing facilities and collaborating with others for mutual benefit. Many staff volunteer in a variety of different ways. All pupils and staff benefit from the experience of outreach, caring for and connecting with others, and developing a strong sense of social responsibility.
We believe that it is important for the School to play its part in striving for a fairer society and to improve the life chances of children beyond the immediate community of Bromsgrove School. By exchanging ideas and good educational practices we learn and play a part in improving outcomes for all children. By widening access, and removing barriers to entry, we create a move diverse pupil body at Bromsgrove.
As an organisation, we enjoy working with partners and many of the activities covered in what follows have been running for many years. These pages are both a summary of the programme we are delivering and a call to action as we commit to developing this programme in the years to come.
weshare our facilities with the local community
have partnerships with other communities
support local charities and community groups
volunteer to serve in the local community
are widening access to our School contribute to the local economy want to be a good employer
share our facilities with the local Community
Worcester Road campus available for community use
Swimming lessons - 1100 local children have swimming lessons each week
Many organisations use our facilities
Hosting of BIMC and Young Musicians’ Platform
Tennis Academy and LTA Tournaments
Hosting the District Athletics & Cross Country
Hosting National Conferences, the most recent being a large computing event for 250+ teachers
Activity camps for local children
Welcoming local schools to take part in orchestra, culminating in our ‘orchestra in a Day’ event
Hosting Worcestershire Winter and Summer School Games
Hosting of various external Arts events
Supporting Secondary Schools across Herefordshire, Worcestershire and Gloucestershire to develop their Computing subject knowledge, as well as training and coaching
7 41 1 2
we
have partnerships with other communities
CCF
Twelve cadets helped at the Bromsgrove Blood Cancer 10k and 5k run event at the local rugby club. They were tasked with putting out barriers, helping with car park duty and handing out water and medals to the runners on the day
Bromsgrove CCF continues to partner with Trinity High School in Redditch. New cadets have joined our CCF Contingent to train with Bromsgrove’s Lower Fourth pupils. Several of our Cadets NCos spent a day of their holidays to help with the training
Worcestershire Teacher Training Hub Partnership. every half-term we host North Worcestershire Hub trainee teachers
Links with St Ambrose Primary School
Links with Chadsgrove School for Forest School and Science Activities. our staff also volunteer around their grounds.
A science day was designed for Chadsgrove School pupils - Bromsgrove students spent time devising, practising and resourcing experiments. The pupils then visited Chadsgrove where they were paired up with pupils and spent the morning teaching them how to deliver the experiments
We are part of the ogden Trust’s West Midlands Secondary Partnership, where we promote physics teaching and the study of physics. Recently we shared our facilities to promote best practice in teaching maths skills in physics education with our partner schools and their middle school feeder schools. our partner schools are: South Bromsgrove High, king edward VI Camp Hill school for girls, Aston university engineering Academy and RSA Academy Arrow Vale
we
support local charities and community groups
Many of our Houses organise charity events, such as the oakley 5k run, raising money for House charity Medecins Sans Frontieres, and Housman Hall and Lyttelton joining forces to raise funds for CDG uk with a 24-hour triathlon
Basement Project
Bromsgrove Service visits five local homes for the elderly each week
Bromsgrove Society Summer School
Flourishing Fivers for Primrose Hospice –both Senior and Prep students are involved in the project
we
support local charities and community
groups
Heritage Centre – welcoming groups and communities to view the archives
Pupils helped plant over 200 trees in the grounds of Rashwood Care Home to increase the garden’s biodiversity for residents. The trees will improve air quality, provide natural habitats for wildlife, and create a peaceful green spaces for residents to enjoy
Shoebox appeal
Winterfold’s fundraising efforts include:
• Movie Nights
• Harvest Collection
• Helping Local Residential Homes
• Readathons
And many other initiatives
This year, Winterfold has supported The Listening Herd, an organization that uses horses to help children and adults build confidence, develop skills and foster meaningful relationships. Winterfold helped to construct a willow fence in an area of need around their grounds
The Winterfold Charity Committee have organised a wide range of collections to help the local community
Winterfold pupils recently completed a readathon and raised £1600 for children’s charities
each Autumn the Committee organises a Warm Comforts Collection. Coats, blankets, hats and other warm items are collected and distributed to Home Start Wyre Forest and HeLP a charity providing support to the Homeless in the Wyre Forest
INTeRNATIoNAL PARTNeRSHIP Winterfold partners with Ncemaneni School. Since 2007 Winterfold pupils to local young people, enabling them to continue to High Schools and university. For the 2026 tour, Winterfold development that will transform the education at both schools
pupils have raised £115,000 which has given their partner school the opportunity to extend its reach Winterfold will visit both Ncemaneni and a second partner school, Ncekuya Primary. This is an exciting
we
support these Charities
Staff volunteer to serve the local community
GoVeRNoRS/TRuSTeeS
PRIeSTS
FouNDeR/CHAIR/ TRuSTee oF CHARITY oR oRGANISATIoN
VoLuNTeeR CoACH/ ReFeRee/uMPIRe
CHuRCH WARDeN/ CHuRCH VoLuNTeeR
CCF/Dofe ASSeSSoRS AND VeRIFIeRS
CoMMuNITY SeRVICe/ NeIGHBouRHooD WATCH 18 1 4 9 2 8 13 15 3 21 2 4 our
VoLuNTeeR FoR A CHARITY/SCouTS/ GuIDeS
VoLuNTeeR oRGANISeRS oF ReGIoNAL AND NATIoNAL SPoRTS CoMPeTITIoNS
we are an inclusive community
Bring your whole self to Bromsgrove
This is a pupil-driven initiative to make Bromsgrove an even more inclusive and safe environment. There are annual surveys, a CPD programme for staff and an annual action plan implementing the EDI School development plan.
Alliance
Our LGBTQ+ society meets regularly and provides a safe space to discuss all things LGBTQ+ (to do with sexuality and gender identity). External speakers are invited to the meetings.
Pupil Voice
From boarders’ forums to School forums, there are plenty of opportunities for pupils to raise issues, concerns or ideas. There are a number of email addresses for pupils to give feedback:
callitout@bromsgrove-school.co.uk wellbeing@bromsgrove-school.co.uk myboarding@bromsgrove-school.co.uk buddies@bromsgrove-school.co.uk (Prep) peermentors@winterfoldhouse.co.uk (Winterfold
Cultures Connect
This year, the pupil-led committee organised a Cultures Week, highlighting the number of different nationalities around the School. The week ended with the Annual Cultures Connect concert, largely organised by a committee of pupils, and it is always an excellent celebration of the variety of cultures across our School community. The audience was entertained with stunning dance, poetry, singing, solo and ensemble performances.
Catering
The School catering team visit the boarding houses to get face to face feedback about food and at all other times pupils can email: food@bromsgrove-school.co.uk
are widening access to our School
£152,825
AMouNT RAISeD BY THe FouNDATIoN FoR LIFe-CHANGING BuRSARIeS To YeAR eND 31/08/2023
FouNDATIoN SCHoLARS 10
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PuPILS oN A BuRSARY ACRoSS THe SCHooLS. 63% ARe 50% oR MoRe (98 PuPILS) 156
PuPILS ARe oN SoMe DeGRee oF FINANCIAL ASSISTANCe 574
5.2%
oF ouR INCoMe IS uSeD To FuND LIFeCHANGING BuRSARIeS FoR CHILDReN IN THe LoCAL AReA
contribute to the local economy
£45m
BRoMSGRoVe SCHooL
CoNTRIBuTeS £45M
To THe GDP oF THe uk
£15m
681
We exPoRT eDuCATIoNAL
SeRVICeS To INTeRNATIoNAL FAMILIeS
STAFF FRoM THe LoCAL AReA WoRk AT THe SCHooL
£13m
THe ToTAL SAVINGS To THe uk TAxPAYeR THRouGH PuPILS ATTeNDING
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want to be a good employer
We hope our staff feel well looked after. We regularly benchmark against pay, conduct regular appraisals and offer training. Free Counselling is offered to any member of staff who would like it The School Executive have introduced a healthcare scheme with AXA for all staff. We are committed to apprenticeship schemes, taking on local young people and training them.
Sustainability
aims
Our aim is to improve the impact that Bromsgrove School has on its environment. We have a duty to protect the environment for future generations by reducing the carbon footprint of the School.
We also have a responsibility to educate our pupils to ensure that they can all contribute to having a positive impact on the environment and achieving a sustainable future. Our Governors and staff recognise the role that they have in supporting our pupils to understand the challenge of climate change and to be more aware of sustainability.
Teaching about sustainability is a central part of the Geography curriculum at Bromsgrove.
We are aware of the Government’s commitment to achieve net zero by 2050 and its 25 year environment plan to “Leave the environment in a better state than we found it”.
Our current plans are focused on four key areas where the school can have a direct impact on reducing carbon emissions:-
• energy management –the decarbonisation of the estate
• Transport
• Biodiversity
• Waste management
We have eco committees across our Schools and our pupils regularly brainstorm new initiatives related to these key areas of focus. The pupil-led committees run a number of activities to raise awareness about sustainability.
management energy
Our long-term aim is to reduce the amount of energy consumed by the School and to minimise our use of fossil fuel derived energy to lower our carbon footprint.
The long-term strategy for the Bromsgrove sites is to increase Solar PV electricity generation and to utilise ground source heat pumps as a sustainable source of energy from heating and hot water.
In the interim, our strategy is to seek sustainable solutions whenever we build new buildings or undertake significant refurbishment or maintenance (subject to capital constraints).
Our primary aim will always be to seek to enhance the thermal performance of the building and our secondary aim will be to install sustainable energy sources for heating and lighting.
achievements so far our
100% of the electricity supplied from the grid across the four School sites comes from renewable sources.
The thermal efficiency of many of our buildings have been improved through recent refurbishment projects. Exterior walls and roofs have been insulated and high-performance windows have been installed. The refurbishment of Hayward in the last year involved installing new windows to minimise heat loss and reduce energy consumption.
Our strategy is to seek sustainable heating and lighting solutions whenever possible. Recent improvements include:-
• Winterfold Penryn Hall - Completed in August 2024, Penryn Hall was built to a high thermal efficiency design and utilises Solar PV and an air source heat pump with an air handling unit in order that Winterfold can reduce its dependence on oil.
• Air Source Heat Pumps - all heating in Winterfold Penryn Hall, Routh Hall, the Prep Headmaster’s House and the elmshurst flat is provided from air source heat pumps.
• Dining Hall - an array of solar PVs have been added to the roof to facilitate c18% of the electricity being used in the building coming from self-generated electricity.
• Wendron-Gordon - The Solar thermal tubes installed on the annexe roof are providing two thirds of the hot water used for showers.
• Llanwrtyd Centre - new modern future proof hydrogen ready boilers have been installed to improve efficiency replacing older inefficient boilers.
The LED lighting replacement programme continues with LED lighting being installed to the Senior Dining Hall following successful LED upgrades to Kyteless, Wendron-Gordon, the Admin block and the Pre-Prep School.
The Estates department have a Building Management System (Trend) which allows them to centrally control maximum temperatures for heating systems and includes efficient weather compensation features to allow for the most efficient heating of the buildings. Currently over 80% of our buildings are on this system. Smart meters are also installed across the site.
Plant rooms have been surveyed and additional lagging has been installed where required.
The Estates team are undertaking a phased replacement of diesel and petrol powered grounds maintenance equipment and machinery to the latest battery powered equipment and plan to convert the larger items of plant and vehicles which are diesel powered to low carbon HVO fuel.
emissions carbon
We have data for each School building of both the gas and electric carbon emissions. Through various building improvements, careful control of the School’s Building Management System and through a shared aim within the School community, we have seen further 16% reductions in our greenhouse gas emissions emissions in the last year.
We have changed suppliers and tariffs to ensure that 100% of the electricity supplied from the grid across the four School sites comes from renewable sources.
The tables below show the key metrics that are being reported for Streamlined Energy and Carbon Reporting in the financial year ending 31st August 2024.
Greenhouse Gas Emissions (mandatory & voluntary)
Area of Measurement
It is clear from the above table that there has been a further decrease in emissions in the year as a result of a combination of the implementation of energy efficient projects and a commitment by the School community to reduce our carbon footprint by continuing our transition from Gas to Electricity. The above Greenhouse Gas emission figures exclude our electricity consumption as all of our supplies come from renewable sources.
During year 2023/ 2024 our energy split was 3,028.7 MWh of electricity and 5,474.2 MWh of Gas.
plans for the future our
With regard to our current building developments:
The Senior School Swimming Pool is the highest user of both gas and electricity across the four sites. We are exploring opportunities to reduce the carbon footprint of the pool including electric boilers and heat pumps, PV solar and improvements to the pool filtration system which will reduce the energy and water consumption required for the safe operation of the pool. This will be a high priority for the 25/26 academic year. In the meantime, we will install inverters to the boilers to reduce energy use.
Laundry and Grounds - both of these buildings have been identified as future net zero buildings. Plans will be developed to consider options.
We will continue to comply with all ESOS and SECR reporting requirements.
We will continue to review all radiators around the School and add temperature monitoring valves where possible to allow local control (maximum temperatures will be set by BMS).
We aim to undertake thermal image surveys and obtain EPC ratings for our buildings to ensure that we remain focused on the highest priorities.
We hope to install a school wide ground source ambient loop network to allow for the installation of ground source heat pumps to replace the current gas boilers systems for heating and hot water needs.
transport
This includes:
• Staff and families travelling to and from School
• School transport for games, trips, activities
• estates and Grounds Transport
Whilst our families and our staff will make individual decisions about sustainability, the School needs to support them by providing opportunities for carbon reduction wherever possible.
As technology develops with minibuses, buses and grounds equipment, the School will continue to review all vehicle and equipment provision to ensure that sustainable changes are made.
achievements so far our
The Estates team use an electric van to distribute post and parcels across the School campuses. The Catering team also use an electric vehicle.
The Grounds team have a replacement policy to replace chainsaws, leaf blowers and hedge cutters with electric equivalent. All gardening equipment is now electric, with one of the large diesel mowers used on the sports pitches having been replaced with an electric equivalent this year.
The team now buys the hanging baskets used at Winterfold, the Senior School cricket pavilion, Housman Hall from the pupil-led Greenfingers project at Winterfold. They grow all the plants used from seed in the polytunnel at School.
plans for the future
Over the past ten years, the Gardening team has cut the amount of bedding plants purchased by around 90%, and with help from the Greenfingers project next year, this will be 100%. This cuts down on transportation from Europe, as most of our plants will be home grown. They now use more sustainable planting schemes where possible across all the school sites.
Over 10,000 bulbs and around 800 trees, mainly in the form of native hedges spread across all the school sites, have been planted this Autumn/Winter, with help from the eco-committees. In both the Prep and Senior School, bird boxes, built by the pupils, have been erected around the grounds.
The School transport team and the Sports teams will seek to reduce carbon by sharing transport wherever possible for sports fixtures and avoiding the situation where large buses are used to transport a small number of pupils.
We believe that it will not be long until electric minibuses are introduced on the market. We are watching this development closely as we have a significant number of minibuses used for the daily School home transport service. The Grounds team are also monitoring the market for developments in electric (or hydrogen) tractors and sit on mowers.
As and when Estates and Grounds vans need replacing, we will consider replacing with electric models. We are encouraging teams to walk rather than use vehicles whenever it is possible.
We will continue to encourage our families to share school runs or to use the School transport service.
We will continue to promote the tax efficient “cycle to work” scheme for all staff and we will be investigating the Electric Vehicles Scheme for staff.
Future plans around the grounds include planting a native hedge along the edge of the footpath at the top of the astro pitches. When completed, this will make a wildlife corridor of mixed hedges which runs from South carpark all the way through to the Prep School.
In March 2024, the School created a new position where a member of the gardening team now works full time across all of our pupil gardening clubs.
biodiversity
We are extremely fortunate as we have beautiful natural grounds across our four Schools. We also have a Grounds team who are totally committed to managing, protecting and enhancing the natural habitats across our estate. They are also very active in developing planting schemes to offset the carbon generated across the site.
• We have a number of wildlife meadows across the School and we continue to create wildlife corridors.
• our pupils are also very engaged in biodiversity projects through the eco Committees, the Gardening Clubs and the Forest School activities.
• The School has a number of wildlife ponds which have been developed by our Gardeners in partnership with our eco-Committees to encourage pond life.
• one significant ongoing achievement is that all grounds waste is composted and recycled across our four sites.
• We have living sedum roofs on both the Sports Arena and the Senior Dining room.
• DT and the Grounds team worked together to make and install bird boxes.
• Design Technology are using waste generated in the department to make Bromsgrove School keyrings which are now sold in the School Shop and given as promotional gifts on overseas trips. Profits will be donated to Charity.
plans for the future our
A new living wall has been added to the Prep Boarding House
Our grounds team have a number of projects planned for 23/24 and it is hoped that at least 800 new hedgerow plants will be planted. Planned planting schemes include the Ryland Centre, Page House, phase two of the woodland area next to the Transport Office, the woodland area around the old swimming pool at Winterfold, landscaping around the new Penryn Hall at Winterfold, and further planting of fruit plants by the LRC.
We will also be installing House Martin nesting boxes around the cricket pavilion.
forest school
Forest School has been a staple at Bromsgrove School for many years.
It continues to provide the pupils with the opportunity to spend time in the natural world where they witness changes in seasons and weather. Badgers and buzzards have been seen making this area their home, along with many other insects and mammals. Pupils from Year 3 and 4 have benefitted from their weekly sessions, developing their skills and building upon what they have learnt.
Forest School allows pupils the chance to reflect, socialise, work as a team, build confidence and selfesteem. Pupils are in charge of their own learning, deciding which tasks they want to undertake and assessing and managing their own risks, all key skills in life.
Peacock Lodge at Winterfold is inspired by the great outdoors and offers children from 2 years old a range of exciting learning opportunities. More than just a Forest School, Peacock Lodge’s natural environment includes a willow village, a natural pond area, an orchard and bird hides providing plenty of space to grow and learn. Opened in September 2024, pupils get the best of both worlds; spending time in a traditional classroom setting and spending time in our dedicated outdoor learning and STEM centre, Peacock Lodge.
The Winterfold Outdoor Way (‘WOW’) empowers children with first hand experiences creating experiential learning which can use the whole body and mind through a variety of outdoor learning activities. Outdoor learning also nourishes opportunities for awe and wonder which allows each child to revisit their fascinations, schema and dispositions.
gardening club
Throughout the year, Gardening Club participants have harvested their runner beans, leeks, potatoes and pumpkins. During the winter, they spent some valuable time enhancing the soil with their home-grown compost, adding much needed nutrients ready for the spring.
Prep Gardening Club
Prep pupils continue to grow a variety of vegetables includingrunner beans, courgettes, potatoes, spring onions and even herbs. They hold the RHS Level 4 School Gardening Award.
In May 2024, Gardening Club was awarded ‘Best School Garden’ at the Malvern Spring Show. The pupils and staff are thrilled to have their hard work and efforts recognised. The judges particularly liked the way the group used planting to tell the story - the twisted willow representing the tornado and the rainbow of colours represented by the plethora of flowers and plants.
Our garden ‘Over the Rainbow’ was admired in the sunshine, however, the highlight of the day was the way the pupils spoke passionately and confidently to the public.
RHS Green Fingers Project
Having achieved the Level 5 RHS Award last year, pupils have been busy growing plants in their new polytunnel for their sales throughout 2024.
Gardening Club has also partnered with Foley Grange Residential Home, where they have been helping staff around the grounds. Many of the plants the pupils have grown have been donated to the home.
During the Christmas term, the Greenfingers team were shortlisted as a finalist in the Talk Education awards in the Entrepreneurship and Business category.
Senior School eco Committee eco action
The student led committee have been very busy this academic year. Starting the year in September with the Sustainability Week. This week aims to raise awareness about the issue of sustainability in a positive and student-centred way.
Working with Holroyd Howe, a number of themed dining days were arranged that looked at the carbon content of food, plant protein and also focused on the amount of food waste that was generated. The collection of food waste displayed for pupils to see was certainly successful as a “waste shocker” event.
Talks were also arranged on Urban greening. We were delighted to welcome Alistair from Hedra Screening who was responsible for building the green wall at Page House. He delivered a fascinating lecture on the benefits of green screens and walls on quality of life and the environment in Urban areas. We also welcomed the sustainability lead from Holroyd Howe who gave a really informative talk on how the company works with schools to ensure sustainability is at the heart of its decision making.
Pupils were encouraged to participate in the ‘Ecolympics’. This alternative House event saw pupils enjoying the beautiful grounds and playing fun sports games, led by our CCF. ‘Blind date with a book’ was particularly popular this year. Books were donated and then wrapped in brown (recycled) paper. A three-word summary was written on the cover and pupils were able to purchase them for charity.
The week culminated with the Sustainability Sounds concert in Routh Hall – a well-attended and hugely popular concert that celebrates music at Bromsgrove. In addition to this busy week, the Senior Eco Committee have enjoyed joining up with the Prep School to make Bees wax wraps for food and accompanying the younger children on litter picks. There has been a huge drive this term to reduce food waste in the dining room. Members of the committee have been given
measurements of food waste from the dining room and converted it into equivalents that make the data mean something to pupils. Pupils have also been surveyed on the menu choices to see how this could be adapted to reduce waste. So far, the progress on this looks good and we are looking forward to the final analysis of the data.
Pupils were keen to get out into the local area and were delighted to be invited to plant over 400 trees at Rashwood Nursing home. They also enjoyed chatting with residents and learning from them.
our own produce
The School recently purchased its own apple press, with production of the first batch of ‘Gordon’s Apple Juice’ taking place last year. This initiative is led by the pupils on the eco-committee, using apples from our own orchard at Bromsgrove.
We have continued to produce Apple juice this year 2024/5 and this proved to be a very popular activity during Sustainability Week.
We also have a beekeeping society, with our own hives in the School garden producing honey.
Green Flag Award eco school
Prep School is an Eco School, holding the Green Flag Award.
Current Eco Initiatives include:
• earth Day is supported through various pupil activities.
• Half termly litter picks
• Termly eco/Gardening club sale (50% going to eco charity this time to WaterAid)
• Half termly Holroyd Howe our Sustainable World assemblies
• Switch off Fortnight incorporating no screen day for the first time this year
• World Water Day
• Planting snowdrops in Forest School
• Beeswax candle making with Senior School eco Committee, for the eco sale
management waste
None of our waste goes to landfill sites. We have a reputable waste management partner, B&M Waste who assist the School in ensuring that all of our waste is disposed of responsibly.
achievements so far our
• All recycled waste goes to a recycling centre
• All food waste goes to an Anaerobic Digestion Waste Management site.
• All metal is recycled by a local metal contractor.
• All cardboard is compacted on site and 100% recycled. This includes a significant amount of packaging from catering and boarder deliveries.
• All general (non recycled) waste goes to incineration and generates refuse derived fuel (rDF).
• No waste goes to landfill.
We have installed recycling stations in to the Prep School and all Senior Day and Boarding Houses to encourage the community to recycle. Plastic drinking bottles have been banned from School.
We have installed recycling stations across our Schools to encourage the community to recycle. Reusable takeaway mugs have been introduced in to Cafe 1553.
We have improved the digitalisation of the School which has had a significant impact in reducing the volume of paper waste.
Whilst our carbon is low due to responsible recycling, we remain concerned about the volume of general waste not being recycled at source. We are trialling new recycling bins to increase the recycling at source.
We set ourselves a target of reducing waste by 5% in the year, with a 9.5% reduction from 2022/2023.
It can be seen that the largest waste type continues to be household waste, however this is lower than the previous years as shown below.
plans for the future: our
Our overall aim is to continue to reduce waste by 5% in the 2025/26 year.
Our Eco Committees are committed to trying to reduce plate waste. There will be a number of new initiatives in 2025/26 led by our pupils to encourage their peers to act responsibly and avoid waste.
Our Catering partners, Holroyd Howe are committed to reducing food preparation waste. They are monitoring, recording and tracking waste to inform menu production planning.
They are also looking to re-use products which are wasted in other recipes eg bananas, potatoes, leaves.
All food waste will continue to be separated from general waste to go to the School’s Anaerobic Waste site. All other products e.g. tins, boxes and bottles are recycled to minimise the volume of general waste.
Our catering partners are introducing new initiatives regarding portion sizes to encourage our pupils to avoid plate waste. This year, they have worked with pupils on new initiatives include a plate waste video and a tasting table made from left overs. Pupils are also using reuseable water bottles and cups around School.
governance
our background the governing body
The School was incorporated as a company limited by guarantee on 1 September 2003 under charity number 1098740. The Governors, as the Trustees of the Charity, are responsible for the overall management and control of the School and meet at least three times a year. The School is a Charitable Trust governed by a Board of Trustees (Governors). The Governors of Bromsgrove School give their time voluntarily, receiving no payment for their time and expertise. The Governing Body is made up of specialists in education, law, finance, property and health and safety.
Mr Michael Luckman Chairman of Governors
Michael Luckman recently retired from the UK Board of an international law firm based in Birmingham, the City and eight other locations worldwide. He now works as the firm’s chief relationship manager with the Government and led the firm’s team to deliver the Birmingham Commonwealth Games 2022. He also sits on the firm’s Paris Board. All three of Michael’s children attended Bromsgrove through each section of the School. He says of his appointment to the Board, “I was delighted to become a Governor of Bromsgrove School. I wanted to repay Bromsgrove for all it gives our children and hope my experiences can support its valuable work”.
Dr Clare Lidbury Vice Chair of Governors
Dr Clare Lidbury has many years’ experience in Higher Education, including roles as a member of senior management teams, head of department, admissions tutor and personal tutor. She has led curriculum development in dance, drama and music, overseen research across the performing arts and continues to work as a dance academic and practitioner. Dr Lidbury is the parent of two Old Bromsgrovians.
the governing body
Dr Mark Ballard
Col Mark Ballard is a consultant radiologist and the Military Clinical Director at the Royal Centre for Defence Medicine. Prior to this he was the Defence Consultant Advisor in Radiology to the Surgeon General - the lead radiologist to the MOD. An expatriate as a child, he boarded at independent schools in the UK, later spending time as a ‘gap’ student at a preparatory school - experiences he feels lend him some understanding of that which pupils at Bromsgrove may encounter. Mark is a parent of two day pupils at Bromsgrove and enjoys the opportunity governorship affords to help where he can within the School.
Mr Charles Cameron
Charles Cameron is a Chartered Accountant with a successful career in business, including over twenty-five years as CF0 in Listed and Private Equity backed companies, latterly in residential healthcare where he had an excellent track record in improving operational performance. Charles was Deputy Chair of Governors at Winterfold and took a leading role in the merger of the two schools. He chairs the Strategy and Risk sub-committee, is interim chair of Finance and General Purpose committee and has responsibility for BIST (Thailand). He is also a member of the Investment Committee. Charles has experience of boarding schools as both he and his children boarded.
Mr John Campion
John Campion is the Police and Crime Commissioner for West Mercia. As Commissioner he has the responsibility for the totality of policing in Shropshire, Worcestershire, Herefordshire and Telford & Wrekin. He sets the policing priorities, appoints and holds the Chief Constable to account for operational policing, and oversees the deployment of the £270m police fund. John’s focus has been ensuring victims services improve, crime reduces, police resources are spent more efficiently and that communities feel safe.
John has previously served as a Wyre Forest District and Worcestershire County Council Councillor where he served in several senior governance roles, including Leader of Wyre Forest District Council. John has nearly two decades experience in elected governance and oversight roles. John is an old Bromsgrovian (Elmshurst 1989-94).
Mrs Anne Cleary
Anne Cleary was, until her recent retirement, the Deputy Head in charge of Prep and Early Years for twenty-eight years at Priory School in Edgbaston. She has almost forty years teaching experience and was a governor at Winterfold for twenty years.
the governing body
Dr Deborah Cunningham
Dr Debbie Cunningham is an Associate Professor in Biological Sciences at the University of Birmingham. She began her scientific career in the pharmaceutical industry before moving to the University of Birmingham over twenty years ago. Debbie is Deputy Director of Education for the College of Life and Environmental Sciences at the University, with responsibilities for the development and delivery of the College’s education strategy, with a particular focus on quality assurance and enhancement of the students’ educational experience. She is also a Senior Tutor, providing guidance and leadership to Personal Tutors and acting as the academic lead for liaison with student wellbeing services. Dr Cunningham is a parent of an Old Bromsgrovian and of a current pupil at Bromsgrove School.
Dr Annette Daly
Dr Annette Daly is the Chief Executive Officer of YMCA Worcestershire. Annette began her career as a primary school teacher in Belfast. After achieving a PhD she spent fifteen years in higher education as a senior lecturer and as a programme director. Annette then took up a new challenge with the role of Diocesan Director of Education (DDE) in the Diocese of Monmouth with the responsibility for supporting and developing church schools. Her collaborative work with head teachers, local authorities, Estyn (Welsh equivalent of Ofsted), the Education Workforce Council and other DDEs helped to improve and enhance the Christian ethos, leadership and performance in these schools. Annette is the Bishop of Worcester’s nominated governor.
Mrs Jenny Loynton
Jenny Loynton (LLB Hons) is the founder of Loynton and Co, one of the biggest Chinese law firms in the West Midlands. Jenny has over thirty years commercial law experience, specialising in cases of business acquisition and restructuring, property investment, commercial disputes and foreign investment and financing. She represents British enterprises. Jenny is a member of the Law Society and was previously a member of Birmingham City University’s Board of Directors and an adviser to the Wing Yip Brothers Group, the largest UK based Chinese owned company. Mrs Loynton is one of the youngest Deputy Lords Lieutenant for the West Midlands and sits on the Board of MAGGIE’s, a cancer caring centres Trust.
Mr David Morton
David Morton is Headmaster of The King’s School, Gloucester, having previously worked at Bedford School, Kingston Grammar School, Alleyn’s School and King Henry VIII School. He trained as a Geography teacher and has also coached sport, led World Challenge expeditions and run the Duke of Edinburgh Award during his teaching career. David counts himself fortunate to have received an assisted place to attend an independent school in Worcestershire and has always been committed to supporting initiatives to broaden access to independent schools as well as partnerships with the local community. David is also Vice-Chair of the Choir Schools’ Association and a Lay Canon at Gloucester Cathedral.
the governing body
Mr Bill Roden
Bill Roden is the Managing Partner and Chief Investment Officer of Albert E Sharp, a leading investment management and stockbroking firm in the Midlands. He has over twenty years of investment management experience and worked for a number of years in the City for AXA, one of the world’s largest investment managers. In 2002 he was nominated for Investment Manager of the Year by Investment Week for the performance of a flagship Emerging Market fund. Bill is a Chartered Financial Analyst, the highest industry qualification, and an Associate of the Institute of Investment Management and Research. Bill’s primary role is to provide commercial advice and to overseas the investment management of the School’s portfolio. Bill is an Old Bromsgrovian (Lyttelton 1978–89).
Mr Ian Stringer
Ian is a Principal and past Midlands Regional Managing Director of a leading international firm of commercial real estate consultants. He is a Fellow of The Royal Institution of Charted Surveyors with over 40 years’ experience in property and the built environment. Ian’s primary role is to oversee the consistent annual investment in the School’s buildings, grounds and facilities with the aim of continually improving quality and standards, and helping to drive sustainability and carbon reduction initiatives. Both of Ian’s children are former pupils at Winterfold and his daughter at Bromsgrove.
Mr Christopher Thompson
Chris Thompson is an experienced M&A and insurance professional whose previous roles include corporate finance advisory as well as corporate development and strategy roles at an international insurance company. Chris founded a specialist transaction liability insurance business that is now one of the largest players in Europe, having underwritten more than £25bn of insurance cover to M&A transactions. Chris is a director of several regulated insurance companies across Europe and holds professional qualifications in accounting, banking and insurance. Chris has three children at Bromsgrove School and has previously been a governor of two local authority schools.
Mr Alastair Wilcox
Alastair is a former pupil of Bromsgrove School. He read French and Hispanic Studies at the University of Liverpool before embarking upon a law conversion course to qualify as a solicitor. He spent the early years of his career in private practice specialising in employment law before moving to the Solicitors Regulation Authority where he is a senior manager in the Legal and Enforcement Department. He is fluent in French and Spanish and in 2021 was awarded the DELE C2 by the Instituto Cervantes, on behalf of the Spanish government. He is delighted to have been appointed a governor of Bromsgrove and is very much looking forward to working with his fellow colleagues on the governing body.
the governing body
Mr James Sommerville Company Secretary and Clerk to the Governors and Foundation Trustees
James Sommerville is Head of Litigation and Employment Department of Star Legal Solicitors (formerly Thomas Horton LLP) who have a continuous association with the School since 1816. As solicitor in private practice for more than forty years, James brings a commercial yet human perspective to his work as Clerk to the Governors. James has family links to the School.
co-opted governors
Our co-opted governors give their expertise to support the governing body.
Mr Matthew Taylor Mr David Bridge
governance
the president and vice presidents
The President and Vice-Presidents of the School act in an advisory capacity to the Governing Body and the School. They offer a wealth of experience of both the School and the educational system. The President in particular works closely with the Governors and the School Executive, attending meetings of the Board of Governors.
The role is largely honorary and ceremonial although the President will be responsible for assessing and reviewing the operation and performance of the Governance Committee and shall be notified of and entitled on reasonable notice to attend any Governance Committee meeting.
The Governors may ask the President for advice and allocate such duties as presiding over Commemoration, particularly the Prizegiving and Speeches. The President will be invited to attend all Full Governors’ Meetings and other special occasions. The president may be asked to help resolve any disputes and to monitor the performance of the Governors.
Mr Stewart Towe CBe DL President
Dr Vivian Anthony Vice President
Mr Norman Birch Vice President
Mr Matthew Horton Vice President
Mr Rupert Lane Vice President
Mr Richard Brookes Vice President
Also Vice President, Mr John Hall.
governance
the governance structure and committees
The work in reviewing strategy and confirming that policies and regulations are being adhered to is carried out by the various sub committees of Governors:
• education Committee
• Finance and Property Committee
• Safeguarding and Wellbeing Committee
• Strategy and Risk Committee
• Investments Committee
• Buildings Committee
• eSG Committee
• Audit Committee
• Commercial Projects Committee
There is a full board meeting once a term, plus an annual strategic planning day with the Exec team. Each sub-committee meets at least once a term. The membership of the committees is supplemented by senior staff at the School.
The Governing Body is responsible for determining the overall aims and strategy of the School. It reviews policies, strategies and procedures to ensure the best possible education and outcomes for current and future pupils.
Bromsgrove’s Board of Governors continue to be balanced between supervision and compliance, between strategic evolution and operational excellence, between supporting the Headmaster, the Executive and other Senior Managers and challenging future plans and short-term execution.
Governors are assigned specific responsibility for key areas of School life including:
Boarding
Col Mark Ballard
Safeguarding, including online safety
Mrs Anne Cleary
eYFS
Mrs Anne Cleary education
Dr Clare Lidbury
eCT (early Career Teaching)
Dr Deborah Cunningham
The Clerk to the Governors ensures that meetings are accurately minuted, papers are circulated in a timely fashion and advises on Governance issues. All Governors declare any conflicts of interest, and these are recorded. In addition, on occasions Governors seek professional advice from the School’s lawyers, accountants and surveyors. Moving forwards, Governors have requested that there be more presentations from staff and pupils to committees to increase their knowledge of the impact of governance. The School has invested in BoardEffect, to share papers more easily, to streamline training for Governors and to make it easier to update policies.
The education Committee
Senior staff report to this committee which also hears reports from pupils. The Committee reviews the quality of education provided to pupils and is concerned to ensure that this is the best possible.
The Finance and Property Committee
This Committee takes a medium-term view of the School’s finances and resources to ensure that they support the educational needs of pupils, current and future.
The Safeguarding and Wellbeing Committee
The Committee has responsibility for ensuring that all safeguarding regulations and standards are met. Governors on this Committee will also regularly check the Safer Recruitment procedures with the HR Manager and the Single Central Register. The Chair of the Safeguarding Committee reports to the Board on safeguarding matters at each Board meeting. At the October 2022 meeting, the committee heard reports from staff responsible for leading on Health and Wellbeing, PSHE and RSE. The Board has a nominated Boarding Governor, (currently Charles Cameron), who regularly visits the Boarding Houses and meets with boarders and Houseparents.
The Strategy and Risk Committee
Its remit is to make proposals for the oversight and review of the School’s strategy together with identification and management of risk.
The Investments Committee
Ensures that the School stewards its resources wisely so that they can be used to fulfil the objectives of the charity.
The Buildings Committee
Members regularly visit School buildings to ensure that they support the needs of pupils and their education.
The eSG Committee
Its role is to review the Environmental, Social and Governance performance of the School.
The Commercial Projects Committee
This committee explores other revenue streams for the School.
governance structure
Board of Governors
education Committee
Chair:
Michael Luckman
Mark Ballard
Charles Cameron
John Campion
Anne Cleary
Deborah Cunningham
Annette Daly
Clare Lidbury (Vice Chair)
Jenny Loynton
David Morton
Bill Roden
Ian Stringer
Chris Thompson
Alistair Willcox
Chair:
Clare Lidbury
Anne Cleary
Deborah Cunningham
Michael Luckman
David Morton
Headmaster
Deputy Head (Teaching)
Deputy Head (Academic)
Senior School
Headmaster (Prep and Pre-Prep)
Headmistress (Winterfold)
Finance and Property Committee
Chair:
Charles Cameron
John Campion
Michael Luckman
Bill Roden
Chris Thompson
Matthew Taylor (Co-opted Member)
Headmaster
Bursar
Safeguarding and Wellbeing Committee
Chair:
Anne Cleary (Designated Safeguarding Governor)
Mark Ballard (Boarding Governor)
Clare Lidbury
Michael Luckman
Headmaster (Prep and Pre-Prep)
Deputy Head (Pastoral) Senior School
Headmistress (Winterfold)
DSLs
Director of Health and Wellbeing
Strategy and Risk Committee
Chair:
Headmaster
Assistant Head
Charles Cameron
Clare Lidbury
Michael Luckman
Bursar
Investments Committee
Chair: Bill Roden
Charles Cameron
Matthew Taylor Bursar
environmental, Social and Governance (eSG) Committee
Chair: Michael Luckman (G)
Mark Ballard (G)
Charles Cameron (G)
Annette Daly (Lead on S)
James Sommerville (G)
Ian Stringer (Lead on E)
Stewart Towe (G)
Building Committee
Chair: Ian Stringer
Jenny Loynton
Alistair Willcox
David Bridge (Co-opted Member)
Headmaster Bursar
Commercial Projects Committee
Chair: Chris Thompson
Jenny Loynton
Michael Luckman
Headmaster Bursar
Assistant Head
governance
governance considerations
Our Governing Body strive to ensure that they have the correct skills and structure in order to support the School in its aims.
We are delighted that our Governing Body has agreed as part of the School’s strategic aim around Governance to work towards attaining the Good Governance Award as jointly awarded by HMC and AGBIS. Both AGBIS and HMC wish to support and provide recognition of high-quality governance in HMC member schools. This Good Governance Certificate if achieved is retained for three years.
