
Madeleine Brearley
Appointed Governor

Martyn Bullick
Appointed Governor

Jim Jones
Appointed Governor

Brian Robson
Chair of the Governing Body/ Appointed Governor

Richard Horsfield
Governor by Virtue of Office

Rebecca Venus
Elected Teacher Governor

Kevin Jones
Vice Chair of the Governing Body/Appointed Governor

Di Kirby
Elected Associate Staff Governor

Fiona Roberts
Elected Parent Governor

Rebecca Pyrah
Elected Parent Governor

Helen Dobson
Elected Parent Governor

Dawn Edwards
Appointed Parent Governor

Alison Redshaw
Elected Parent Governor

Madeleine Brearley
Appointed Governor
I began my teaching career at Ostler Secondary School in Halifax. After have time off for the births and early years of my two children, I returned to work at Brighouse Girls Grammar School.
In 1985 I was appointed the Head of Year at Brighouse High School. I taught Food Technology and P.S.H.E. and became Assistant Head until I retired in 2003.
Apart from being a Governor, I am also very much involved with school as a joint organiser of the annual Year 7 trip to the Lake District – 2013 will be the 27th time and I have been on them all apart from the first one. I do some voluntary work for the league of Friends at Calderdale Royal Hospital, sing in the Overgate Hospice Choir, look after grandchildren and try to keep fit by playing badminton and also as a member of a walking group.

Martyn Bullick
Appointed Governor
Experiences – Primarily within IT in the Financial Services
(HBOS) & Telecoms (O2/Telefonica) sectors. Programme Management, business analysis, consultancy, business case creation, team leadership and development, business re-organisation, mentoring, coaching, stakeholder management.
Interests – Pupil development within a sport / drama / extra-curricular context. Engage with children to create a team identity that enables them to work smarter as a group.

Jim Jones
Appointed Governor
I have been a Brighouse High School Governor since 1993, and was chair for 18 years between 2001 and 2019.
My two children attended the school, the youngest left at the end of the 6th form in 2001.
I am a registered nurse (RGN RMN) and a retired University Senior Lecturer. I now work part time for a drug and alcohol treatment service in Leeds.
My interests and expertise are in the area of psychosocial wellbeing, for which a good education, in the fullest sense, is an important requirement. The ethos at BHS is a key focus for my work as chair, as it underpins the whole function of the school. I have seen the continuing development of the school over 2 decades and seek to use this experience to guide further progress.

Brian Robson
Chair of the Governing Body/Appointed Governor
I have been a Governor at Brighouse High School since 1999 and recently took over the role of Chair of Governors.
I am recently retired following careers in the Fire and Rescue Service and Voluntary Sector.
My two children attended the school, the youngest leaving 6th Form in 2011.
My main interest is in ensuring that the school continues to grow and develop without losing its ethos and identity. I am also keen to ensure that space is created for the extra activities which Brighouse High is renowned for and for ensuring opportunity for all students to be nurtured and developed in a safe and healthy environment.

Richard Horsfield
Governor by Virtue of Office
Headteacher at Brighouse High School.

Rebecca Venus
Elected Teacher Governor
Head of Performing Arts at Brighouse High School which is role that combines Music, Drama and Dance throughout the school and the wider community. I continue to be activity involved in music outside of school.
I have worked at Brighouse High School for 6 years and joined as a teacher governor because I believe in the ethos of the school and feel I am well placed to represent the staff at this thriving school.
I relish new challenges and I enjoy my work with both staff and students.
My spare-time is also occupied by working as a Sergeant within the Army Reserves.

Kevin Jones
Vice Chair of the Governing Body/Appointed Governor
My partner and I have 3 children who have attended Brighouse High and the 6th Form College.
I spent the majority of my career from school with a large international Investment Company in a number of disciplines covering Research, Legal, HR, Project Management and ending as Head of Learning and Development. After the company was taken over I took the opportunity to set up and run my own locally based business which I ran for 10 years. I was fortunate to sell my business in 2015 and retire at an unusually young age.
I try to use the experiences and knowledge gained in my previous employment and also as a Governor and Chair of Governors for a local primary school, for the benefit of all at Brighouse High.
I am also a Trustee and Vice-Chair for the Valley Learning Partnership.
I have been involved with a number of local charities and youth music groups.

Di Kirby
Elected Associate Staff Governor
I have been a member of Brighouse High School since 1991, after attending Brighouse Girls’ Grammar school as a student, and have always thoroughly enjoyed the variety of roles (Assistant Catering Manager, Pastoral Administrator, PE Technician, temporary Attendance Officer, PE support assistant and Cover Manager) that I have undertaken.
I have also experienced the school from a parental point of view, albeit a few years ago now.
I feel that I have gained a broad and varied perspective of life in this successful High School and I have fully embraced this, joining the school choir and attending many visits, day and residential, and social evenings. I use this experience as an associate member of staff to help me contribute to the governing body effectively.

Fiona Roberts
Elected Parent Governor
I currently work in a West Yorkshire School as a Senior Science Technician. I am involved with local Girlguiding, Halifax Swimming Club and the Duke of Edinburgh Award.
I am an elected Parent Governor with 2 children currently at Brighouse High School and 1 who has just finished at Brighouse High 6th Form.
I am interested in all aspects of school life to make it a positive experience for pupils, but I have a particular interest in STEM and SEN.

Rebecca Pyrah
Elected Parent Governor
I started out my career as an analytical chemist in the chemical industry, and then just over ten years ago I decided to change careers in order to join the teaching profession. I am currently a Chemistry teacher at a local grammar school and teach students in years 7-13. I am passionate about education and believe that all students should be encouraged to achieve their potential.
I am an elected parent governor and my son is currently in year 9 at the school.
My areas of interest are: gifted & talented and curriculum.

Helen Dobson
Elected Parent Governor
I have taught in secondary schools for 20 years. I have always been a Head of Department, as well as holding a number of whole school responsibilities including PHSCE Coordinator and BTEC Quality Nominee. I worked at Lightcliffe Academy for 11 years until last year and at The Ridings School until it closed, prior to that.
In addition to my day job, I also work for Pearson exam board as a Lead and Subject Standards Verifier and have a keen passion for promoting Vocational qualifications.
I am also a passionate advocate for SEND. I am a member of many local organisations which support children with additional needs. My own daughter has a learning disability and I firmly believe Brighouse High is the right, nurturing environment for her to reach her full potential.
In my free time, I run with Brighouse Bumble Bees and volunteer as a C25K coach, thanks to being a British Athletics qualified Run Leader.

Dawn Edwards
Appointed Parent Governor
I currently work for the Education and Training Foundation, a charity that offers professional development for the Further Education Sector. I’ve worked in further education for around 15 years, working in several colleges, in a number of different roles.
I have been a lecturer, worked in marketing and in apprenticeship teams, in my current role I support those about to deliver the new T Level qualifications. As well as working in education, I spent 10 years as the Managing Director of my own hospitality company.
I have a daughter who is a current pupil at Brighouse High School. It’s important to me that the school is a safe environment where young people are encouraged to reach their potential.

Alison Redshaw
Elected Parent Governor
I have 2 children and 3 nieces currently at Brighouse High School. I have always worked, alongside being a parent and have therefore previously felt I did not have the time to dedicate to a parent governor role. However, as the children become more independent, I have more time to devote elsewhere, but also with their interests in mind and in the hope that I can contribute to both theirs and their peers’ positive experience of Brighouse High School and their education. Furthermore, I feel that an excellent school within Brighouse benefits the whole community.
I am a qualified Probation Officer with 25 years of experience working towards the rehabilitation of offenders. I have experience of working in a female prison and in a Youth Justice Team with young offenders. I am passionate about inclusivity and equality for all with a particular focus on those who have been disadvantaged in some way and may need additional support and understanding to achieve their full potential.