Welcome to our Governors’ section. 

The Governing Body Core Functions:

Our Governors work together to carry out their core strategic functions:

1.  Ensuring there is clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction
2. Holding  leaders to account for the educational performance of the organisation and its pupils and the performance management of staff
3. Overseeing the financial performance of the organisation and making sure its money is well spent 
4. Ensuring the voices of stakeholders are heard

Governors must also ensure that the governing body complies with all legal and statutory requirements. Governors should seek the advice of the clerk to the governing board and other professional advice as appropriate.

Governing body strategic responsibilities

Governing bodies work closely with head teachers and senior leaders. Head teachers are responsible for day to day management whereas the role of the governing body is strategic. As such, governors are responsible for:

• determining the mission, values and long-term ambitious vision for the school
• deciding the principles that guide school policies and approving key policies
• working with senior leaders to develop a strategy for achieving the vision
• ensuring that parents, pupils, staff and the wider community are involved, consulted and informed as appropriate
• ensuring that all pupils have access to a broad and balanced curriculum such that pupils are well prepared for the next stage of their education and adult life
• setting the school’s budget and ensuring it is managed effectively together with premises and other resources
• agreeing the school’s staffing structure and keeping it under review to ensure it supports delivery of the strategy
• ensuring robust risk management procedures are in place and that risk control measures are appropriate and effective

Monitoring and evaluating school performance

Governors must monitor the priorities that have been set to ensure progress is being made by:

• measuring the school’s impact and progress towards its strategic objectives
• ensuring the required policies and procedures are in place and the school is operating effectively in line with these policies
• evaluating relevant data and feedback provided by school leaders and external reporting on all aspects of school performance
• asking challenging questions of school leaders in order to hold them to account
• holding the head teacher to account for standards, financial probity and compliance with agreed policies
• visiting the school to monitor implementation of the strategy and reporting back to the board (this could be in a link governor capacity)
• ensuring that there are policies and procedures in place to deal with complaints effectively

Panels and committees

When required, governors are expected to serve on panels or committees in order to:

• appoint the head teacher and other senior leaders
• appraise the head teacher and make pay recommendations
• hear staff grievances and disciplinary matters
• review decisions to exclude pupils
• deal with formal complaints

Contribution to the governing body

Governors should ensure that they are making a positive and meaningful contribution to the governing body by:

• attending meetings (a minimum of 3 full governing board meetings and a number of committee meetings each year), reading papers and preparing questions for senior leaders in advance
• establishing and maintaining professional relationships with senior leaders and colleagues on the board
• getting to know the school, including visiting the school occasionally during school hours
• undertaking induction training and developing knowledge and skills on an ongoing basis

Please find below details of how our Governing body is structured, including the names, categories, responsibilities and terms of appointment for each Governor.

 Parents can contact Governors through the School office

GOVERNING BODY MEMBERS

School governors are people who want to make a positive contribution to children’s education. Governors are one of the most substantial volunteer forces in the country and have an essential part to play in raising school standards. The role of the governing board is key to the effectiveness of a school. The purpose of the Governing Body is to provide strategic management, and to act as a “critical friend”, supporting the work of the headteacher and other staff. School governing bodies are responsible for working with the school to ensure that it delivers a good quality education. Together with the head teacher, who is responsible for day-to-day management, they set the school’s aims and policies.

Headteacher:

Candida Burrell

Chair of the Governing Body:

Ruth Hale 

Vice chair of the Governing Body:

Mark Gardner 

Co-opted Governors:

Melissa Mulgrew 

Alexandra Abercrombie

Local Authority Governor:

Holly Obank

Parent Governors:

Rob Byron

Kelly Ambrose

Phil Bunn 

Stef Briggs

Sharon Urling-Brown

Staff Governor:

Sarah Collins

Observers/Advisors:

Russell Pryke

Emma Brewster