Pen Portraits

Mrs Jackie Roper - Chair of Governing Body

I am a retired Head teacher, having enjoyed a long career in education. I worked in schools and colleges in Leicester City, Leicestershire County and Northamptonshire. I taught English for many years before specialising in teacher training and school improvement across the East Midlands region.

I have been a member of the Governing Body at Beaumont Leys School since the start of 2021. I was originally on the Finance and Personnel committee as well as taking an interest in Pupil Premium strategies and outcomes. Since then, I have become the Chair of Governors, remaining on the Finance Committee and taking on the additional responsibility of being the Governor's Safeguarding Link.

It is an absolute pleasure to serve the Beaumont Leys community and to work alongside Mrs Parkinson, her team and of course, the wonderful students; I am proud of all that they are doing, including their recent Ofsted report which was testament to everyone's hard work.

Mr Gerarde Manley - Vice-Chair of Governing Body

I have been the Strategic Lead for the Leicester and Leicestershire Careers Hub since 2018 and part of the Leicester and Leicestershire Business and Skills Partnership (LLBSP) Senior Leadership Team. 

I have over 25 years of experience in education and skills, leading on a range of East Midlands regional projects including management of Learndirect and UK Online Centre networks, rollout of Level 3 entitlement (Skills Accounts) and currently strengthening the links between careers education and the local skills needs through the work of the Careers Hub.

Prior to this, my previous roles include:

• Head of Training and Development for a national apprenticeship training provider
• Training Consultant for a large Further Education college
• Regional Skills Manager for the East Midlands Learning and Skills Council (LSC)
• Post-16 Commissioning Officer across the two upper-tier Local Authorities
• Enterprise Coordinator for the Leicester and Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership (LLEP)

Mr Christian Knott - Co-Opted Governor

My name is Christian Knott and I have been a governor at Beaumont Leys school for two and half years and chair the Facilities Management and Health and Safety meetings.  I live and work in Leicester and have done all my life.

I currently work as a Health and Safety advisor in an NHS Trust and previously in a Local Authority setting. I have considerable experience in this area and in the public sector, including education and local authority services. These are transferable skills I bring to the governing body. In my previous role, I have visited Beaumont Leys School on several occasions, and always found the school to be warm and welcoming. I know the school and the staff do an excellent job of supporting the young people and community of Beaumont Leys and being a school governor enables me to contribute to this.

Outside of work, I enjoy running, travelling, cooking and I’m currently learning Spanish.

Mr Daljinder Padam - Co-Opted Governor

I have worked in education for over 35 years, finishing my career in senior leadership. Throughout this time, I gained a deep understanding of how schools can thrive through high standards, strong leadership, and a nurturing environment. I am passionate about seeing both children and staff grow within a supportive school community.

Now semi-retired, I continue to be active in the Beaumont Leys community as a church leader. I was recently appointed as a co-opted governor and feel privileged to support the school in this role. After visiting, I was struck by the warm, caring, and hardworking atmosphere within the school. It is a place where dedication to pupil success is clear, and I am proud to be part of such a positive environment.

Mr Martin Dobson - Co-Opted Governor

I joined Beaumont Leys school as a Governor in March 2025. Some years ago, I had been a Governor at John Wycliffe School Lutterworth .  I always thought that I would return to this role at some stage. I recently retired from the Construction Industry, so this is the ideal time for me to pick up the baton again.

I intend to play an active role as a Governor, and I will find it very rewarding to be part of the school team and will enjoy supporting the progress of the whole school. I already get a very positive feeling about Beaumont Leys School.

Mrs Carole Hunt - Co-Opted Governor

I grew up in Leicester, not far from Beaumont Leys, and worked in Leicestershire upper schools for some 35 years, taking on a variety of different management roles as well as teaching English. When I retired in 2013 I knew I had not finished with the world of education and I joined the governing body of the local primary school. I felt this gave me the opportunity to use my experience and expertise for the benefit of the local community.

I stayed in that role for 8 years, eventually becoming chair of the governing body. I loved working with the primary school but was eventually lured back into the secondary sector and joined the governing body at Beaumont Leys as well. I immediately felt at home in the school and felt grateful to be able to contribute to the amazing school it is. After the difficulties of the Covid years, and the arrival of my grandchildren, I temporarily stood down from the governing body at Beaumont Leys but I soon came back again and rejoined the governing body 2 years ago.

I have a very broad experience of both teaching and management roles and am grateful for the opportunity to continue my life-long commitment to education. I am a strong advocate of comprehensive schools and of equality of opportunity for all children. I am currently the SEND governor and am a member of the Finance Committee.

Mrs Jude Atkinson - Co-Opted Governor

I was excited to be appointed as a governor this academic year!

I retired from full time work I'm summer 2025, having spent just short of 30 years working for Leicester City Council. As a registered social worker, I held several roles over this time in children's social care services, primarily in child safeguarding. Most recently I was responsible for managing allegations of harm against adults working in positions of trust. I'm now working part time in a coffee shop and also as an invigilator at another local secondary school and at Leicester University.

I'm really looking forward to working with the governing body alongside staff and students at Beaumont Leys School

Mrs Paula Coplin - Parent Governor

I am currently Deputy Headteacher and Designated Safeguarding Lead at a large Infant School in Leicester, where I have worked in primary education for over 23 years. My experience spans safeguarding, staff development and curriculum leadership, and I bring these skills to my role on the governing body.

I have a strong personal connection to Beaumont Leys, with my youngest child currently in Year 9. I have an older child who is just beginning his second year at university. Therefore, I understand the challenges that being a parent of adolescents can bring. Becoming a governor allows me to support the school in ensuring that every pupil is given the best opportunities to achieve their potential.

I am particularly passionate about safeguarding, wellbeing and inclusive practice, and I enjoy contributing to the school’s strategic development.

Outside of work, I enjoy reading, visiting the theatre and spending time with my family.

Mrs Lucy Carruthers - Local Authority Governor

Hi, I’m Lucy.

I am the Qualifications Development Manager at UAL Awarding Body. This means that I design new qualifications and assessments in creative arts subjects, like art and design, fashion, music, drama and creative media for school and college students across the UK and abroad. I am passionate about the arts, so it is fantastic to be able to work to produce exciting new qualifications that meet industry and university needs.

I joined the BLS governing body in 2023 as I wanted to use my knowledge, skills and experience to support a school to be the very best it can be. It has been great to work with other governors and Mrs Parkinson to see your school’s values in action and the success you all achieve!

Mrs Claire Hodgson - Staff Governor

I am currently Assistant Faculty Team Leader in the English faculty at Beaumont Leys School. My teaching career spans 28 years and I have spent 15 enjoyable and rewarding years at Beaumont Leys. My experience includes a senior leadership role and a variety of pastoral roles.

Being in the classroom every day with our amazing students is the most rewarding of experiences. We have a thriving school community and I am proud to be a part of this. I also enjoy working with and supporting teachers who are new to the profession; I am currently a mentor to a first year ECT.

I am new to the role of governor and I am looking forward to working with other members of the governing body. Becoming a governor provides me with the opportunity to support the staff and the students of Beaumont Leys and to contribute further to the wider school community.