Governors
What is the role of the Governing Body?
The day to day running of the school is the responsibility of the Head Teacher and members of the Senior Leadership Team. However, the Governing Body has the responsibility to ensure that the school is run to promote pupil achievement. Its duties include:
Working in partnership with the Head Teacher and staff to establish the strategic direction of the school.
Establishing and reviewing school policies.
Working with the Head Teacher to set targets and objectives.
Approving the school budget.
Reviewing progress against the budget and objectives.
Appointing, challenging and supporting the Head Teacher.
Who are the Governors?
The formal instrument of Government details that St. Mary’s governing body is made up of 14 Governors.
7 Foundation Governors; appointed by the Diocese of Gloucester
1 ExOfficio Foundation Governor appointed by virtue of office held as Vicar of St Mary’s Church
2 Parent Governors; proposed and elected by parents and carers of children at the school
2 Staff Governors (including the Head Teacher and 1 of the school teaching staff; proposed and elected by the staff
1 Local Authority Governor; appointed by the Local Authority
1 Co-opted governor ( A non-teaching member of staff; proposed by the staff and elected by the governing body)
The term of office for each Governor is 4 years from date of appointment or election. Governors are selected based on their skills and experience.
Foundation Governors are appointed by the Dioceses of Gloucester. Foundation Governors are expected to bring to the Governing body an informed regard for the Church nature of the foundation of the school, to ensure that its Christian ethos is preserved and developed, and the religious worship reflects the tradition of the Church of England.
Co-opted governors are appointed by the Governing Body and are people who, in the opinion of the governing body, have the skills required to contribute to the effective governance and success of the school.
Register of Governors and pecuniary interests
Committees
Governors Name | Date of Appointment | Expiry | Business & Pecuniary Interests | Type | Named Governor for: | School Priority 1 | School Priority 2 | School Priority 3 |
Sam Gillman | 01/09/2021 | ongoing | -- | Head Teacher | x | x | x | |
Chris Eastwood | 01/02/2022 | 01/02/2026 | Child at the school | Foundation | Pupil Premium | x | x | x |
Ronnie Walters | 01/06/2022 | 31/05/2026 | -- | Foundation | Attendance | x | x | |
Robin Gupta | 01/05/2016 | 01/05/2024 | -- | Foundation | Health and Safety | x | ||
Kathleen Newell | 01/12/2022 | 30/11/2026 | Child at the school | Foundation | x | x | ||
Jane Cowell | 11/11/2020 | 11/11/2024 | Works at the school | Co-opted | LAC | x | ||
Lee Francis | 02/09/2020 | 02/09/2024 | Works at the school | Staff | x | x | ||
Sabine Doil | 18/05/2022 | 17/05/2026 | Child at the school | Parent | x | |||
Joy Ludlow | 02/11/2020 | ongoing | Governor at Oldbury C of E School | Foundation | x | |||
Jon Craig | 01/03/2021 | 01/03/2025 | Child at school | Foundation | Safeguarding | x | ||
Kim Walsh Young | 07/01/2022 | 06/01/2026 | Child at school | Parent | SEN and EYFS | x | ||
Gillian Leaper | 01/09/2023 | 01/09/2027 | NA | Foundation | x |
The whole Governing Body meets at least 6 times a year.
We use the Circle Model of governance and do not hold committee meetings. Instead, we use panels and working parties. You can offer to be part of a panel. You can also choose a working party to be part of depending on your availability and area of expertise. These would be held in the school day and arrange between you and the relevant member of staff.
Panels
- Pay Panel – one meeting annually – November/December
- Complaints panel – as needed
- Grievance Panel – as needed
- OFSTED Inspection – as needed
Working Parties - 2 or 3 meetings a year
- Quality of Education - Priority 1
- Leadership and Management - Priority 2
- Our School Vision - Priority 3
- Health and Safety
- Safeguarding
- Website Compliance
- Buildings
Core Link Governors
- Pupil Premium – meet annually
- Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) – meet twice a year
- SEND& LAC – meet twice a year
- Safeguarding – drop in to check Single Central Record (SCR); on the spot visits; annual Audit from the Local Authority
- Ethos - as required
- Attendance - annually
If you would like to know more about how to volunteer and join the governors in delivering the school vision, please leave your contact details with the school office and one of our Governors will contact you.
List of previous Governors
Goverors Name | Date of Appointment | Expiry | Date of Stepping Down | Business & Pecuniary Interests | Type |
Richard Hampshire | 01/02/2014 | 01/02/2018 | 01/02/2018 | Foundation | |
Pam Benson | 01/10/2015 | 01/10/2019 | 15/11/2016 | Foundation | |
Jane Cowell | 01/09/2012 | 01/09/2016 | 01/01/2016 | Works at the school as a TA | Parent |
Phil Lucker | 01/02/2013 | 01/02/2017 | 01/01/2016 | Foundation | |
Gavin Teague | 01/09/2014 | 01/09/2018 | 01/09/2016 | Foundation | |
Fran Smith | 02/09/2013 | 02/09/2021 | 30/01/2018 | Staff | |
Mo Newton | 22/03/2016 | 22/03/2020 | 12/03/2018 | Child at the school | Parent |
Elizabeth Vooght | 01/02/2017 | 01/02/2021 | 01/11/2018 | Foundation | |
Jan van der Lely | 04/09/2012 | ongoing | 01/04/2019 | Governor at Oldbury C of E School | Foundation |
Jonathan Barford-Turner | 22/03/2016 | 22/03/2020 | 01/09/2019 | Child at the school | LEA |
Helen Brooks | 22/03/2016 | 22/03/2020 | 01/03/2019 | Works at the school as a TA | Co-opted (Staff) |
Judith Richardson | 01/07/2013 | 01/07/2021 | 01/09/2019 | Foundation | |
Claire Clarke | 01/11/2013 | 01/10/2021 | 01/09/2019 | Child at the school | Foundation |
Graham Reaper-Brown | 01/09/2019 | 01/09/2023 | 01/07/2020 | Foundation | |
Graham Pike | 01/03/2017 | 01/03/2020 | 01/08/2020 | Staff Governor | |
Lisa Turner | 01/09/2019 | 01/09/2023 | 01/01/2021 | Child at the school | Foundation |
Rachael Campbell | 01/02/2017 | 01/02/2021 | 01/08/2021 | Foundation | |
Ali Drury | 08/01/2014 | 08/01/2022 | 01/08/2021 | Child at the school | Parent |
Shona Heath | 01/05/2018 | 01/05/2022 | 01/08/2021 | Child at the school | Parent |