About the Governors
Governors
The Governing Board – what do our governors do?
Governors work with senior leaders in the strategic development of the school and in raising standards of achievement. Duties include setting the school’s vision, aims & objectives, approving the school budget and appointing the headteacher. Governors must both support and challenge the headteacher; consequently, they need to gain an understanding of the school’s overall performance in order to explain its decisions and actions. They do this by attending regular meetings, carrying out school visits and meeting with senior leaders. They also attend training in order to keep up to date with the requirements of their role. Governors work as a team and make collective decisions. Full Governing Body Terms of Reference.
Structure of the governing board
Josephine Dunlop (Parent Governor) and Allistare Smedley (Foundation Governor) are Co-Chairs of Governors. The full governing board (FGB) meets 10 times a year. At these meetings, it carries out its three core functions as identified by the Department for Education in the Governance Handbook:
- ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction
- holding the headteacher to account for the educational performance of the school and its pupils, and the performance management of staff
- overseeing the financial performance of the school and making sure money is well spent.
Minutes of FGB meetings are published on the school's website (minutes of meetings page) after approval by the governing board. The FGB has adopted the LGA Code of Conduct for Governing Boards. Associate members do not have voting rights at Full Governing Board meetings but are welcome to attend.
The Governing Body also has an Admissions Committee (Terms of Reference) and a Pay Committee (Terms of Reference). Minutes of these meetings are published on the website (minutes of meetings page) after approval at the following Committee meeting.
The Governing Board
Instrument of Government 24.03.2015 - 2 Parent Governors, 1 Local Authority Governor, 1 Staff Governor, 1 Headteacher, 7 Foundation Governor (6 of whom appointed by the Diocese, and 1 ex officio)
|
Name of Governor |
Category | Date First Appointed | Appointment Details | Term of Office End |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Josephine Dunlop | Parent | 15.01.24 | Elected by Parents | 14.01.28 |
| Helen Mapa-Murch | Parent | 05.07.2023 | Elected by Parents | 04.07.2027 |
| vacancy | Local Authority | |||
| Claire Roberts | Headteacher | 01.00.2025 | Ex-officio | |
| Christine Bartley | Foundation | 10.10.2019 | Appointed by Diocese | 08/10/2027 |
| Sebastian Dawson-Bowling | Foundation | 20.11.2020 | Appointed by Diocese | 19.11.2028 |
| vacancy | Foundation | Appointed by Diocese | ||
| Archdeacon Martin Lloyd-Williams | Foundation (ex-officio substitute) | 03.09.2018 | Appointed by Diocese | 02.09.2026 |
| Jess Murch | Staff | 07.10.2022 | Elected by Staff | 06.10.2026 |
| Allistare Smedley | Foundation | 07.10.2019 | Appointed by Diocese | 07/10/2027 |
| Phil Davis | Associate Member (Resources, with voting rights) | 16.11.2020 | Appointed by Board | 09.09.2025 |
Governors who have stepped down/terms of office expired during the past 12 months
| Name of Governor | Category | Date From | Date Ended | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brian Ward | Staff | 24.07.2018 | 23.07.2022 | End of term |
| Amanda Healey | Foundation | 14.09.2017 | 7.7.2023 | End of term |
| Kate Newman | Foundation | 10.12.2020 | 27.11.2022 | Resigned |
| Vitalina Liapko | Parent | 21.03.2022 | 01.07.2023 | Resigned |
| Sophie Brinkworth | Parent | Resigned | ||
| Rosie Doyle | Foundation | Resigned | ||
| Jane Fendley | Headteacher | 01.05.2011 | 31.8.2025 | Resigned |
Governor attendance at meetings: attendance record for September 2024-July 2025
There is no obligation for associate members to attend meetings of the Full Governing Board.
Declaration of Interests 2025-26
(currently being updated)
Governor Responsibilities
- Safeguarding: Rachel Hart
- SEND: Frances Rix
The Governing Body made the decision to include curriculum strategic planning and progress and attainment discussions at full governing board meetings so all governors are involved in questioning, challenging and showing support to the school on its journey to Good.
Committee Membership
Admissions Committee: Christine Bartley (committee chair), Claire Roberts, Jess Murch, Allistare Smedley
Pay Committee: Christine Bartley (committee chair), Sebastian Dawson-Bowling, vacancy
Headteacher Appraisal Panel: Christine Bartley, Sebastian Dawson-Bowling, Allistare Smedley (chair)
Board Diversity
The governing body has agreed that their diversity data should remain confidential, due to the small size of the board. However, diversity data is regularly analysed by the board and used in recruitment and training to ensure governors reflect the community they serve.