Governors
Parent Governor Elections
What do School Governors Do?
"Governing boards meet regularly to look at the big picture and the school’s long-term goals. They set the culture and values of the school, responding to opportunities and challenges. Governors and trustees work closely with the headteacher, supporting them and challenging them.
Governors typically serve at schools that are maintained by the local authority whereas trustees serve on an academy trust board. They are responsible for:
- developing a vision and strategy for the school
- overseeing the financial performance of the school and making sure its money is well spent
- holding the school leader to account to ensure that every pupil has the best possible education
- engaging with pupils, staff, parents and the school community to understand their views
Activities can include:
- attending governing board meetings: these normally take place around six times a year and may be held outside school hours
- looking at information and evidence on the school’s progress and discussing with school leaders
- visiting the school to see plans working in practice, and listening to the views of staff, pupils and parents
- selecting and appointing a headteacher following the resignation of the current headteacher
- making decisions about issues such as pupil exclusions and staff disciplinary matters
- undertaking induction training and ongoing development" (NGA; https://www.nga.org.uk/Governance-Recruitment/Be-a-school-governor-or-trustee.aspx)
The Instrument of the Full Governing Body at Newlands Primary School
Governors
| Name | Appointed by | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| Val Moore | Appointed by LA | 26 February 2020 | 25 February 2024 |
| Gemma Forrest | Appointed by GB | 7 September 2022 | 6 September 2026 |
| Gemma Gardner | Appointed by GB | 4 September 2022 | 3 September 2026 |
| Jenny Cooling | Appointed by GB | 29 March 2022 | 28 March 2026 |
| Kirsty Plaza | Appointed by GB | 4 May 2021 | 3 May 2025 |
| Robin Shakespeare | Appointed by GB | 2 June 2021 | 1 June 2025 |
| Samantha Willis | Elected by parents | 4 September 2022 | 3 September 2026 |
Historic (left within last 12 months)
| Name | Role | Appointed by | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Heather Birch | Governor | Elected by parents | 14 May 2018 | 13 May 2022 |
| Helen West | Governor | Elected by parents | 1 November 2018 | 30 October 2022 |
| Katie Redford | Governor | Appointed by GB | 4 May 2021 | 1 September 2022 |
| Lowri Bartlett | Governor | Elected by parents | 1 November 2018 | 05 December 2022 |
| Elizabeth Tomlin | Governor | Elected by parents | 02 October 2019 | 05 December 2022 |
Val Moore & Jenny Cooling are all Governors at other educational institutions.
Total number of Governors: 7
Committees/Membership/Responsibilities
Teaching & Learning
Jenny Cooling
Kirsty Plaza
Gemma Gardner
Finance & Staffing
Robin Shakespeare (Chair)
Val Moore
Gemma Forrest
Kirsty Plaza (SBM)
Personal Development, Wellbeing and Safety
Val Moore (Chair)
Gemma Forrest
Robin Shakespeare
Teacher Pay Committee
Robin Shakespeare (Chair)
Val Moore
Gemma Forrest
Kirsty Plaza (SBM)
Head Teacher's Performance Management
Val Moore (Chair)
Robin Shakespeare
Appeals / Grievance
Robin Shakespeare
Val Moore
Other areas of responsibility:
Safeguarding: Val Moore
Anti-Bullying: Val Moore
SEND: Robin Shakespeare
Pupil Premium: Robin Shakespeare
Sports Premium: Robin Shakespeare
Training & Development: Kirsty Plaza
Health and Safety: Gemma Forrest