Clerks and Governance Professionals
Some of our members bring valuable experience as clerks and governance professionals, making them well-equipped to address relevant questions and offer insightful advice. Whether you are a Chair, a Board member, or a governance professional, our community is here to support you with practical solutions and guidance tailored to your needs.
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Fee Stagg
Fee has been a governor since 2004 and was designated as a National Leader of Governance in 2015. Currently, Fee is the Vice-Chair of Trustees in a 7 school academy trust (primary and secondary) in East Staffordshire as well as being chair at a two-form entry CoE primary in Stoke on Trent. She works for a number of academy trusts as their Governance Professional as well as being an associate consultant for Entrust. Fee was a senior facilitator on the DfE funded Governance Leadership Development Programme from 2016 until the demise of the programme in March 2021 and is currently working on delivering a successor programme for the Alliance for Leading Learning. She also works with a number of North Staffordshire Teaching Schools providing both governance and clerk development as well as mentoring and support. Fee takes an active approach to her own CPD and encourages her governance colleagues to do the same. She is a FRSA), a member of Belmas, The Chartered Governance Institute, and the Trust Governance Insight programme amongst other networks. Fee set up SBW Governance in 2017 when she decided that Success Begins With … was a great question to ask herself and others! As SBW Fee offers a range of bespoke governance development sessions (she is not a fan of the word training) as well as being DfE External Review of Governance trained. She has undertaken training to be a Pupil Premium Reviewer although this has been impacted somewhat by the recent pandemic. She also supporting, at no cost, several clerks and headteachers (minutes matter after all!) as well as chairs and vice chairs of governors across the country. Fee is the author of regular blog called The Clerks Elbow The Clerk's Elbow – An analogous look at governance behaviours (wordpress.com) which takes a wry look at governance behaviours. Fee is a founder member of the National Association of School and College Clerks (NASCC) an organisation set up to offer an independent voice to clerks across the country. Fee can be found on Twitter at either @sbwgovernance or @dogpaws23.
Pat Barber
Pat Barber has over 30 years’ experience of school governance and currently holds several governorships. She is chair at St Mathew all-through single Academy; appointed in 2016 by the Diocese and Regional Schools Commissioner following the dismissal of the Board due to serious weaknesses; the school is now Ofsted rated as Good with outstanding elements. Pat has more recently been appointment as Joint Chair at St Catherine’s Bexleyheath following industrial action at the school. She is also the Chair at a VA Primary school, appointed 2019 following the resignation of all staff and the Chair of Governors; Chair of governors at a primary school with a recent new build with major problems; Chair of an IEB at a secondary VA school that is in the process of closure and Chair at an outstanding Catholic secondary school. Pat is an experienced governor trainer and a qualified School Business Manager (retired). Pat currently supports several new Chairs to settle in to, and fulfil their role; she supports numerous Academies as the independent appeal panel member for grievance panels, complaints and exclusions; she is also an experienced Independent Appeal panel member. Pat is accredited to carry out Independent Governance Reviews and has undertaken several both independently and supporting the Diocese and Local Authorities. Pat has over 25 years’ experience of providing clerking services to primary, secondary and special schools, primarily as clerk to governors; she also trains and coaches new clerks. Pat currently supports schools as their Clerk. Pat is an experienced appeal panel clerk for both Admission and Exclusions and has provided support for several London boroughs in this role through recommendations from both the Roman Catholic Diocesan Schools Education Commission and the Southwark Diocesan Board of Education. Pat has also Chaired an Interim Multi-Academy Trust Board during its inaugural period. Pat received the accreditation of National Leader of Governance January 2014.
Laura Schneikert
Laura is a highly experienced school governance professional with over 25 years' experience in education, including 18 years specialising in school governance.
Laura has supported a diverse range of governing boards across the education sector, including maintained schools, single academy trusts, multi-academy trusts and local governing bodies. She works closely with governors, trustees, headteachers, principals and trust leaders, providing expert advice on governance, compliance, accountability and effective decision-making.
Laura works nationwide and has extensive experience in organising and supporting specialist panels, including suspension and exclusion reviews and complaints hearings. Known for her practical approach and detailed understanding of governance requirements, she is committed to helping governance stakeholders fulfil their responsibilities with confidence and ensuring strong governance remains at the heart of educational success.
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