The Role of the School Governor
Within England, there are over 300,000 school/academy governors, who form the largest volunteer force in the country.
The Local Governance Committee of Bower Park Academy is accountable in law and the Academy’s Articles of Association. It is responsible for the conduct of the school and for promoting high standards of education within a safe environment. The roles of individual governors, and, subsequently, members of a governing body, work collectively to perform a strategic role and carry out key functions.
The three core functions of the Local Governance Committee are to:
- Set the strategic direction for the school, by establishing a vision, aims and objectives for the school, agreeing the priorities, policies and targets for the school to achieve these aims and objectives.
- Support and challenge the school, by monitoring and reviewing the work of the school, reviewing and evaluating the effectiveness of the policy framework and evaluating its own effectiveness.
- Be accountable to students, parents and staff, by ensuring the proper and effective us of the school’s resources, responding to Ofsted reports as necessary, holding the Principal to account for the performance of the school, making information available and consulting as appropriate.
The Local Governance Committee at Bower Park is chaired by Bex Cox. She can be contacted via the school either in writing (marked for the attention of the Chair), or by emailing: office@bowerpark.co.uk
Bower Park Academy Governing Body
| First Appointed | Term Start | Term End | |
| Appointed governors | |||
| Glen Adams | 24 September 2018 | 24 September 2022 | 23 September 2026 |
| Joanna Savidge | 22 May 2019 | 22 May 2023 | 21 May 2027 |
| Bex Cox | 21 March 2022 | 21 March 2022 | 20 March 2026 |
| Ciara Stephens | 05 January 2026 | 05 January 2026 | 04 January 2030 |
| Parent governors | |||
| Sarah Kushin | 01 December 2021 | 01 December 2021 | 30 November 2025 |
| Staff governors | |||
| Lewis Sherwood | 04 July 2025 | 04 July 2025 | 03 July 2029 |
Chair of the Local Governance Committee
Bex Cox
Bex joined Bower Park as a governor at the start of 2022 and was elected Chair of the LGC in September 2024. She has always had a keen interest in education and is passionate and committed to ensuring that each child is given the best education possible. As a parent herself, Bex understands the importance of creating opportunities that prepare students for successful, fulfilling adult lives. With a professional background in retail merchandising, she brings valuable strategic and analytical insight to her role on the LGC, and she works closely with the school’s leadership team to help shape, support and challenge the future of the school.
Jo Savidge
Jo has been a governor at Bower Park since 2019, but she has been part of the Collier Row community for over twenty years, having originally joined Clockhouse Primary School as a Year 1 teacher. She has taught across the primary age range and led on many aspects of school improvement. Since 2013, Jo has been the headteacher of the school. She knows the community very well and is passionate and absolutely driven to provide the community which both schools serve with the best possible rounded educational experience. Jo was schooled in Havering, only to leave the local authority to go to Homerton College, University of Cambridge, to gain her degree in Education and English. Jo returned following this and has continued to live and work in Havering ever since.
Glen Adams
Glen joined Bower as a Governor in 2018, a recently retired Chartered Accountant with experience across a variety of industries and sectors, including media and charities. He most recently worked as Tax Director and Head of Governance at an Essex based housing association and has held Board/Committee positions on Suffolk and Norfolk based housing associations. Glen is a former Trustee and Governor of Hall Mead Academy, also holding the position of Chair of their finance and audit committee. Glen is keen to promote good governance in schools and is a firm believer in lifelong learning having, since retirement, himself completed a Master’s degree in Mathematics.
Sarah Kushin
I have had the pleasure of serving as a Parent Governor for BPA since December 2021. With over 20 years of experience in the banking industry, I focus on Green and Sustainable Energy Project Finance. As a full-time working mother of three, I rely on effective logistics and time management to navigate my daily life.
For the past 12 years, I have been involved as a governor in various roles within Havering schools, covering a range of committee responsibilities including Finance, Safeguarding, and Curriculum. Additionally, I have supported the schools through five Ofsted inspections.
I am genuinely passionate about the impact of the ever-changing national curriculum and the expectations placed on our children. I believe in the importance of supporting schools and empowering parents to feel equipped to guide their children through their educational journeys. With my three children at different stages of education—across various Key Stages and in 16+ Education—I recognise that each academic experience is unique. I strive to ensure that individuality is embraced and respected, and that all academic abilities are valued, fostering an inclusive environment where every child can thrive.
Lewis Sherwood
Lewis is currently the Head of Year 10 and a Teacher of Physical Education, now entering his tenth year of teaching. Throughout his career, he has undertaken a number of leadership positions, including Head of House, Assistant Head of Key Stage 3, and Head of PE. These roles have provided him with valuable experience in both pastoral leadership and curriculum development, as well as the opportunity to work closely with staff, students, and families to support achievement and wellbeing.
As Staff Governor, Lewis is committed to representing the views of colleagues and contributing to the continued improvement of the school. He believes strongly in creating a positive, inclusive, and ambitious learning environment where every student can thrive, and he is keen to use his experience to help shape the strategic direction of the academy.
Ciara Stephens
I hold an LLB in Law from the University of Essex, graduating with a 2:1 in 2006, followed by the Legal Practice Course at BPP Business and Law School. I subsequently qualified as a Solicitor after a training contract where my seats included Family Law, Housing Law and Personal Injury.
I have several years of experience working in Family Law at Edwards Duthie Solicitors (Stratford), Anthony King Solicitors (Basildon) and Wortley Byers Solicitors (Brentwood). During this time, I handled a broad caseload including Public Law childcare proceedings, representing parents where social services were involved, as well as Private Law disputes, Domestic Violence matters and Matrimonial Finance cases. My experience has given me extensive knowledge of safeguarding, child protection processes and multi-agency work which I believe would be particularly valuable in a school environment.
Throughout my legal career I have developed strong analytical, organisational and communication skills. I am used to reading and evaluating complex information, presenting arguments clearly, and asking constructive questions. I have conducted advocacy at court hearings and I am familiar with following formal procedures and regulatory requirements. I believe these skills translate directly into effective school governance and constructive challenge at board level.
I am passionate about supporting young people to achieve their full potential and I am keen to contribute positively to the continued development of the school. As a parent of a 17-year-old, I also bring a personal understanding of the issues and pressures young people and families face today.
I welcome the opportunity to use my experience to support the school’s strategic vision and help ensure strong safeguarding, high standards and positive outcomes for all pupils.