Our Governors are part of one of the largest volunteer forces in the country and have a vital part to play in raising school standards. They provide strategic leadership and ensure accountability in schools. The role of the governing board is key to the effectiveness of a school.
We are fortunate to have a range of skills from our governing body and a wealth of experience. Governors receive training and support to help them carry out their roles. All members have agreed to serve a term of four years.
The role of the governing board is as follows:
- Agree and set the aims and objectives for the school
- Set the policies for achieving those aims and objectives
- Set the targets for achieving those aims and objectives
- Monitor and evaluate the progress the school is making towards achievement of its aims and objectives
- Be a source of challenge and support to the Headteacher (a critical friend)
The constitution of our governing board is as follows:
- 2 Parent governors
- 1 Headteacher
- 1 Staff governor
- 2 Foundation governors
- 2 Co-opted governors
- 1 Local Authority governor
We also have one non-voting associate member.
Term of office for all governors is 4 years
Appointing Bodies
The following appointing bodies elect/appoint the different category of Governors as follows:-
· Parent Governors – Elected by Parents;
· Staff Governors – Elected by Staff, with the exception of the Headteacher who is a Governor by virtue of being the Headteacher;
· Local Authority Governor – Appointed by Governing Body via a Local Authority nomination process;
· Foundation Governors – Appointed by the Diocese; and
· Co-opted Governors – Appointed by the Governing Body
Committees
Support and Challenge (Chair – Amey Sim) – A Committee where governors meet with the Head Teacher with his appraisal targets as a focus for discussion.
Finance and Staffing (Chair – Kim Ballantyne) – The main Committee for all aspects of Human Resources and the Financial Management of the School.
Health and Safety (Chair – Amey Sim) – The Committee responsible for overseeing work around the management of our buildings, school grounds and health and safety of Staff and Children.
Curriculum and Performance (Chair – Steven Herbert)
SEND, Inclusion Equality and Safeguarding (S.I.E.S) (Chair – Stephen Robson)
There are also separate disciplinary and appeals Committees which are convened if required.
Our Governors
| Name of Governor | Category | Voting Rights | Term of office | Has signed the register? | Details of any conflicting interests e.g. business/ work, relationships or governor at another school |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steven Herbert | Head | Right to Vote | N/A | Yes | Headteacher, Bluebirds Trust Chairman, Barrow Town Councillor |
| Amey Sim | Vice Chair / Co-opted | Right to Vote | 4 years 27.03.21 – 27.03.25 | Yes | Self Employed. Owner of Enchanted Moments – A Children’s party and entertainment business. |
| Karen Stringer | Co-opted Deputy Head | Right to Vote | 4 years 01.09.22- 01.09.26 | Yes | Current Employment: Deputy Head Teacher at St George’s School. |
| Sue Craig | Foundation Governor | Right to Vote | 4 years 23.11.2023 – 23.11.2027 | ||
| Louise Ellis | Staff | Right to Vote | 4 years 22.01.22 – 22.02.25 | Yes | Current Employment: Teacher at St George’s School |
| Stephen Robson | Local Authority | Right to Vote | 4 years 22.01.22- 25.02.25 | Yes | Member of the Labour Party, Unite the Union and the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy |
| Vacancy | Ex-Officio Foundation Governor | Right to Vote | |||
| Kimberley Ballantyne | Parent | Right to Vote | 4 years 27.03.21- 27.03.25 | Yes | Current Employment – Finance Manager at Siemens Energy Limited. |
| Ian Allington | Chair / Co-opted | Right to Vote | 4 years 29.09.22-29.09.26 | Yes | Retired |
Committees and Specific Responsibilities
Committees 2023-2024
| Governor | Support & Challenge (Inc HTPM) | Finance & Staffing (Inc PP & SP) | Health & Safety (Inc Buildings) | Performance & Curriculum (Inc Attendance) | SEND, Inclusion, Equality and Safeguarding (SIES) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steven Herbert | x | x | x | x | x |
| Amey Sim | x | x | x | ||
| Karen Stringer | x | x | |||
| Louise Ellis | x | x | |||
| Stephen Robson | x | ||||
| Kimberley Ballantyne | x | x | x | ||
| Sue Craig | |||||
| Ian Allington | x | x | x | ||
| Vacancy | |||||
Specific Responsibilities 2023-2024
| Governor | Attendance | Equality | Website | Pupil Premium & Sports | PTA | EYFS | Inclusion | SEN | Safeguarding |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steven Herbert | x | ||||||||
| Amey Sim | x | x | |||||||
| Karen Stringer | x | ||||||||
| Sue Craig | |||||||||
| Louise Ellis | x | x | |||||||
| Stephen Robson | x | ||||||||
| Kimberley Ballantyne | x | x | x | ||||||
| Ian Allington | |||||||||
| Vacancy | |||||||||
Meetings and Attendance
Meeting Dates 2024 2025
| Full Governors | Support & Challenge | Staffing & Staffing | Health & Safety | Curriculum & Performance | SEND, Inclusion, Equality and Safeguarding (SIES) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday 3rd October 2024 @ 4.30 pm | |||||
| Thursday 28th November 2024 @ 4.30 pm | HTPM Thursday 28th November 2024 @ 3.00 pm | Thursday 14th November 2024 @ 3.00 pm | Thursday 14th November 2024 @ 1.00 pm | Thursday 7th November 2024 @ 3.00 pm | Thursday 7th November 2024 @ 1.30 pm |
| Thursday 20th March 2025 @ 4.30 pm | Thursday 20th March 2025 @ 3.00pm | Thursday 6th March 2025 @ 3.00 pm | Thursday 6th March 2025 @ 1.30 pm | Thursday 6th February 2025 @ 3.00 pm | Thursday 6th February 2025 – 1.30 pm |
| Thursday 12th June 2025 @ 4.30 pm | Thursday 12th June 2025 @ 3.00 pm | Thursday 22nd May 2025 @ 3.00 pm | Thursday 22nd May 2025 – 1.30 pm | Thursday 1st May 2025 @ 3.00 pm | Thursday 1st May 2025 @ 1.30 pm |