Governors work closely with headteachers, school staff and representatives from the local authority (LA).
For further information on who our governors are and what they do, please click on each name below:
Name | Representing | Term of Office | Committee | Responsibilities/Link Governor Duties | Relationship to Staff | Register of Interests |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Mrs Lesley Box- Head Teacher | Staff | 01/09/18 - Ongoing | Admissions Curriculum Finance, Premises & Personnel | SEND Lead Safeguarding Officer RE coordinator | None | None |
Mrs Fiona Bissell - Vice Chairperson | Foundation | 08/06/17- 07/06/21 | Curriculum Pay Review Finance, Premises & Personnel (Chair) First / Pay Review | None | None | |
Mrs Kim Wallace | Foundation | 16/02/17- 15/02/21 | Admissions Curriculum First / Pay Review HT performance | Looked After Children & Previously Looked after Children | None | None |
Fr Ian Grieves - Parish Priest | Foundation | 03/04/17- 02/04/21 | Appeals Curriculum | None | None | |
Mrs Emma Curran - Chair | Foundation | 15/05/17- 14/05/21 | Admissions Curriculum Finance, Premises and Personnel First / Pay Review (Chair) HT Performance | Safeguarding School Website Cultural Education Data Protection | None | None |
Mrs Kayleigh Lewandowski | Staff | 07/11/18- 06/11/22 | Curriculum | None | None | |
Mrs Julie Best | Parent | 22/01/2019- 21/01/2023 | Curriculum Finance, Premises & Personnel | SEND link Governor | None | None |
Mr James Rowlandson | Local Authority | 10/02/18- 09/02/22 | Appeals | None | None | |
Mrs Sheila Crabbe | Foundation | 30/09/2019- 29/09/2023 | Curriculum finance, Premises & Personnel | None | Parent of Vice Chair - Mrs Fiona Bissell | |
Mys Yvonne Arkley-Bond | Parent | 04/03/2020- 03/03/2024 | TBC | None | None |
View our Governors Reports on our website.
How To Become A School Governor
If you require further information on the roles and responsibilities of School Governors or you are interested in becoming one, visit the Durham County Council website School Governor section.
Statutory Guidance for Governing Bodies
St Mary’s RC Primary school adhere to the statutory guidance from the Department of Education. This means that governing bodies must have regard to it when carrying out duties relating to the constitution of governing bodies in maintained schools. For further information please view or download the full document below.
The Constitution of Governing Bodies of Maintained Schools (2017)
Governor Attendance
Schools are now required to display a record of Governor attendance at meetings for each school academic year.
KEY
✓ – Attended meeting
A/A – Apologies sent and accepted by meeting
N – Did not attend
N/A – Not a member of the committee
Record of Attendance 2019-2020
Name | Autumn Curriculum Committee Meeting 15/10/2019 | Autumn Term FGB Meeting 06/11/2019 | Autumn Term Pay Review Committee Meeting 06/11/2019 | Autumn Term Finance, Premises and Personnel Committee Meeting 15/11/2019 | Spring Admission Committee Meeting 04/03/2020 | Spring Term FGB Meeting 04/03/2020 | Spring Term Finance, Premises and Personnel Committee Meeting 13/03/2020 | Special Meeting of the FGB - Covid-19 Via Zoom 26/05/2020 | Summer Curriculum Committee Meeting 02/06/2020 Via Zoom | Summer Term FGB Meeting 17/06/2020 Via Zoom | Summer Admission Committee Meeting 17/06/2020 Via Zoom | Summer Term Finance, Premises and Personnel Committee Meeting 26/06/2020 Via Zoom |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Mrs Lesley Box | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Mrs Kim Wallace | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | N/A | ✓ | ✓ | N/A | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | N/A | |
Mrs Kayleigh Lewandowski | A/A | ✓ | N/A | N/A | N/A | ✓ | N/A | ✓ | ✓ | N/A | N/A | |
Mrs Julie Best | ✓ | ✓ | N/A | ✓ | N/A | ✓ | A/A | ✓ | A/A | N/A | ✓ | |
Mrs Fiona Bissell Vice Chair | A/A | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | N/A | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | N/A | ✓ | |
Mrs Emma Curran Chairperson | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
Fr Ian Grieves | ✓ | ✓ | N/A | N/A | N/A | A/A | A/A | ✓ | A/A | N/A | N/A | |
Dr Joe McAuley | ✓ | A/A | N/A | A/A | N/A Term of office complete. | N/A Term of office complete. | N/A Term of office complete. | N/A Term of office complete. | N/A Term of office complete. | N/A Term of office complete. | N/A Term of office complete. | N/A Term of office complete. |
Cllr James Rowlandson | N/A | ✓ | N/A | N/A | N/A | A/A | N/A | ✓ | N/A | N/A | N/A | |
Mrs Sheila Crabbe | N/A | ✓ | ✓ | N/A | N/A | ✓ | N/A | ✓ | ✓ | N/A | N/A | |
Mrs Yvonne Arkley-Bond | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | ✓ | N/A | ✓ | A/A | N/A | N/A |
Archived Attendance
You can view our archived attendance on our website
Committee Terms of Reference
Full Governing Body
Chairperson – Mrs Emma Curran
Terms of Reference
Strategic Leadership and Accountability:
- In collaboration with school leaders determine a clear and explicit vision for the future. Ensure this is communicated to the whole organisation.
- Set strong and clear values and ensure these are embedded across the organisation and adhered to.
- Determine the strategic direction for the school.
- Monitor and evaluate pupil progress and attainment by receiving reports and information from the Headteacher and other school leaders; compare against national and local benchmarks over time.
- Receive reports from committees, working parties or individuals and agree actions.
- Approve the SEF and monitor throughout the year.
- Approve the School Improvement Plan priorities and monitor throughout the year progress towards agreed actions.
- Ensure there is a transparent system for performance management of all staff which is clearly linked to the school’s priorities. Have oversight of staff performance throughout the year.
- Ensure there are mechanisms in place to listen to and respond to the views of parents/carers, pupils, staff, local communities and employers.
- Agree recruitment process to be followed in relation to Senior Leader posts; where delegated ratify appointments.
- Final approval of the annual budget plan.
- Monitor the school’s budget throughout the year.
- Agree virement and expenditure limits for the Headteacher.
- Hold at least 3 meetings each academic year. Ensure that committee meetings are held in accordance with the agreed terms of reference.
People and Structures:
- Elect and/or remove Chair of Governors and Vice Chair of Governors.
- Appoint Committee Chairs or delegate to each committee.
- Consider and agree delegation of functions to individuals or committees.
- Agree committee terms of reference and membership.
- Establish a register of Governors business interests.
- Ensure Governors information on the Get Information About Schools (GIAS) register and the school website is up to date and compliant with current requirements.
- Confirm the Instrument of Government and subsequent amendments.
- Appoint Co-opted, Local Authority and where necessary Parent Governors to the Board.
- Review and monitor the Governor Induction Process.
- Have regard for Governors professional development.
- Where necessary, suspend or remove Governors from the Board.
- Appoint/dismiss the Clerk to the Governing Body.
Compliance and Evaluation:
- Consider business provided by Local Authority and other sources
- Suspend or end suspension of staff members.
- Ensure all statutory policies are in place and there is an effective policy review cycle.
- Review and agree the Governor Code of Conduct.
- Confirm arrangements for completion of a Governor Skills Audit.
- Ensure there is regular self-evaluation and review of individual’s contribution to the Board as well as the Board’s overall operation and effectiveness.
- As necessary, consider an external review of the Board’s effectiveness.
- Ensure school website is up to date and compliant with current DfE requirements.
Finance & Premises Committee
Chairperson – Mrs Fiona Bissell
Terms of Reference:
- In conjunction with the Headteacher to draft the first formal budget plan of the financial year, for approval by the full Governing Body.
- To establish and maintain an up to date 3 year financial plan.
- To monitor income and expenditure, including virement decisions, significant anomalies from the anticipated position and report termly to the Governing Body.
- To ensure the school operates within the financial regulations of the County Council and the requirements of the DfE Schools Financial Value Standard
- To monitor expenditure of all voluntary funds kept on behalf of the Governing Body.
- To annually review charges and remissions policies and expenses policies.
- To make decisions in respect of service level agreements.
- To make decisions on expenditure following recommendations from other committees.
- To prepare financial statements for inclusion in any reports to parents.
- Ensure that buildings and the learning environment are maintained and fit for purpose.
- Oversee the use of the premises by outside users.
- Establish and keep under review an asset management /building development plan.
- Establish and keep under review an Accessibility Plan.
- Ensure that adequate provision is made to make the building safe and secure.
- To ensure as far as is practical that any Health and Safety (H&S) issues are appropriately funded in accordance with priorities.
Finance Meetings: termly, or each half term, planned to coincide with Oracle.
Disqualifications: when there may be a conflict of interest; a fair hearing is required; or a pecuniary interest.
Virement & Expenditure Limits
Virement Limits | Expenditure Limits | ||
---|---|---|---|
Limit set for Headteacher without prior written approval of Chair or Governing Body | £3000 | Any items of expenditure up to | £5000 |
Limit set for Headteacher with approval from Chair of Governors | £3001 to £5000 | ||
Prior Finance Committee or Chair of Governors approval (whichever is the soonest) to be sought outside of this limit and reported at the earliest opportunity |
First/Pay Review Committee
Chairperson – Mrs Emma Curran
Terms of Reference:
- To act in accordance with the Teachers’ Pay Policy adopted by the Governing Body.
- To report to the Finance Committee on Pay Review-related expenditure.
- To make any decisions under the personnel procedures adopted by the Governing Body, e.g. disciplinary, grievance, ill health, capability etc where the Headteacher is the subject of the action, after delegation to the Chair.
- To make any decisions relating to a member of staff (other than the Headteacher) under the Personnel procedures adopted by the Governing Body after delegation to the Headteacher.
- Staffing Reductions.
Delegation to the Headteacher
Up to and including First Written Warning.
Meetings: when required.
Disqualifications: when there may be a conflict of interest; a fair hearing is required; or a pecuniary interest. Staff members cannot take part in any salary decisions.
Appeals Committee
Chairperson – Father Ian Grieves
Terms of Reference:
- To consider any appeal against a decision to dismiss a member of staff made by the First/Pay Review Committee.
- To consider any appeal against a decision under the personnel procedures adopted by the Governing Body (e.g. disciplinary, pay review, capability for teachers etc).
- To consider any appeal against selection for redundancy.
Meetings: when required.
Disqualifications: when there may be a conflict of interest; a fair hearing is required; or a pecuniary interest. Staff members cannot take part in any salary decisions.
Admissions Committee
Chairperson – To be agreed at the Spring term meeting – 27/02/2019
Terms of Reference:
- To determine within statutory provisions and the Governing Body policy whether any child shall be admitted to the school.
- To review admission arrangements and to make recommendations for changes to the Governing Body.
Meetings: When required.
Disqualifications: when there may be a conflict of interest; a fair hearing is required; or a pecuniary interest.
Curriculum Committee
Chairperson – Father Ian Grieves
Terms of Reference:
- Set targets for achievement at KS1 and KS2. Monitor the school’s performance against these targets.
- Ensure the school has a curriculum policy that meets pupils’ needs.
- Ensure that every child receives the full statutory curriculum that the school must Contribute to the development and monitoring of the School Improvement Plan and the SEF.
- Conduct the school with a view to promoting high standards of education achievement
- In general terms, monitor teaching and learning and the progress of pupils.
- Ensure that the school’s policy on SEN is consistent with the code of practice and Equalities Act and that arrangements are made to ensure the policy is monitored and reviewed regularly. The policy is known to parents and carers.
- Monitor the achievement of disadvantaged groups and the impact of policies on race, SEN, Looked After Children and Disability on pupils, parents and communities.
- Ensure that a report on each pupil’s educational achievements is forwarded to their parents/ guardians annually.
- Set attendance targets and monitor the school’s performance against these targets.
- Ensure the effective integration of children with SEN.
- Anti-Bullying and Behaviour Policies.
- Ensure the school is fulfilling its responsibilities regarding child protection and the requirements of “Working Together to Safeguard Children”.
- Monitor pupils’ attitudes, values and how other personal qualities are developed within the school through the provision of RE and PHSCE and that parents are told of their right to withdraw their child.
- Decide whether or not to provide sex and relationships education and consult parents. Agree the content and organisation of the school’s programme of sex and relationship education and notify parents of their right to withdraw their child
- Consider developing a whole school drugs policy.
- Monitoring nutritional standards within the school to include school meals, snack provision and food available during wrap-around provision.
- Ensuring that PE is taught as part of the school curriculum and monitoring the quality and adequacy of provision.
- Promoting an ethos that encourages participation in competitive sport both within the school and between schools
- Monitor the provision of extra-curricular activities including overnight stays provided to encourage recreation and social development.
- Ensure the school works well with its community, parents and other schools.
- Ensure the school works effectively with other agencies to support vulnerable children and their families.
Meetings: Termly or when required.
Personnel Committee
Chairperson – Mrs Emma Curran
- To carry out an annual review of the staffing structure in consultation with the Headteacher and the Finance Committee.
- To oversee the appointment procedure for all staff.
- To establish and review a performance management policy for all staff.
- To keep under review work/life balance, working conditions and well being, including the monitoring of absence.
- To make recommendations to the Finance Committee on Personnel-related expenditure.
- General Complaints.
- All permanent appointments.
Meetings: as required.
Disqualifications: when there may be a conflict of interest; a fair hearing is required; or a pecuniary interest.
Delegation to the Headteacher
School Staffing (England) Regulations 2009.
Appointments:
Delegated to the Headteacher
- All temporary appointments.
Dismissals:
The Headteacher has no delegated responsibility for dismissals
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