Our Governing Body

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.

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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