Governors
|
Annual Governance Statement for the Governing Board of St Peter’s C. of E. (V.C.) Primary School, Sible Hedingham Autumn 2023
|
|
|
In accordance with the Government’s requirement for all Governing Boards, the 3 core strategic functions of the St Peter’s C of E (V.C.) Primary School Governing Board are: 1. Ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction; 2. Holding the Headteacher to account for the educational performance of the school and its Pupils; 3. Overseeing the financial performance of the school and making sure its money is well spent.
|
|
|
Governance arrangements |
The Governing Board of St Peter’s C of E (V.C.) Primary School is made up of 2 Staff Governors (including the Headteacher), 4 elected Parent Governors, 1 Authority Governor, 3 Foundation Governors and 4 Co-opted Governors. Co-opted Governors are appointed by the Governing Board and are people who, in the opinion of the Governing Board, have the skills required to contribute to the effective governance and success of the school. Ms Nicola Adams continues in the role of Chairman of the Governing Board, with Mr. Bob Darkins as Vice-Chairman. Mr. James Ireland and Mrs. C Bower were appointed to the Governing Board during the last academic year. Mr. James Ireland & Rev. Liz Paxton resigned from their positions during the last academic year. Mr. Ferg Ranson will step down from his role in November 2023 following 30 year's as a governor at the school. There is currently a Foundation Ex.Officio vacancy. The full Governing Board meets at least once each term, and we also have a number of Committees to consider different aspects of the school in detail. At St Peter’s Primary School we have a Finance & Personnel Committee, a Premises Committee, a Curriculum & Pupil Related Committee, and a Pay and Performance Committee. We also have Committees that meet if required to consider pupil discipline and staffing matters. |
|
Attendance record of Governors |
Governors have good attendance at meetings and we have never cancelled a meeting because it was not “quorate” (the number of Governors needed to ensure that legal decisions can be made). |
|
The work that we have done on our Committees and in the Governing Board |
The Governing Board has met once a term and considers every aspect of the running and governing of the school to ensure the school provides a balanced curriculum that meets all statutory duties. It takes assurances from the Curriculum Committee and looks in detail at the delivery of the curriculum to hold the school to account for the achievements of the children. The Finance and Personnel Committee scrutinises the use of funds at the school, examining the budgets to ensure that the school remains in financial balance; that the finances are spent wisely and reports are sent to the Governing Board on financial matters and changes in personnel and performance. Maintenance and development of the school grounds is considered by the Premises Committee to ensure the school is fit for purpose and safe. The Governing Board is assured through inspections by the Governors themselves into every aspect of school life, their attendance at schools events, as well as by independent inspectors such as our SIAMS inspector who agree that we are a good school with elements of outstanding. Governors are confident that all children at the school are developed to their full potential and that the school is proactive in improving through the delivery and monitoring of the School Improvement Plan. We maintain our ethos as a Church of England school and the values "Ready, Respectful, Safe" run through every aspect of school life supporting our aims and objectives to ‘aspire, persevere and achieve.’ |
|
Future plans for the Governors |
The Governing Board continues to develop and undertake training to ensure we can fully support the school, staff and children. Our programme for visits will continue to support rising standards and the achievement of the school overall, but at the same time our role as critical friend continues ensuring that all children are supported to thrive and succeed. |
|
Governor Diversity |
As a school we recognise that a diversity of thought, voices and perspectives is essential to good governance and the effective running of any organisation. We regularly collect diversity information from our governors and, depending on current data, can use this to:
However, we are unable to publish this information as it would mean that individual members of our governing body are identifiable.
|
|
How you can contact the Governing Board |
We always welcome suggestions, feedback and ideas from parents – please contact the Chairman of the Governing Board, Ms Nicola Adams, or the Clerk to the Governing Board, via the school office. |
St Peter’s C of E (V.C.) Primary School Governing Board
|
Governor |
Category |
Term of office expiry date |
|
Ms Nicola Adams Chairman of the Governing Board |
Parent Governor |
05.02.2026 |
|
Mr. Robert Darkins Vice-Chairman of the Governing Board |
Co-opted Governor |
09.11.2024 |
|
Mr. Phillip Zelley |
Authority Governor |
24.03.2027 |
|
Mrs. Charlotte Bower |
Co-opted Governor |
23.11.2025 |
|
Mr. David Heather |
Co-opted Governor |
11.07.2025 |
|
Mr. Martin Lee |
Co-opted Governor |
12.03.2027 |
|
Vacancy |
Foundation Ex.0fficio |
|
| Mrs. Glenys Young | Foundation DBE Governor | 13.03.2027 |
| Mrs. Tracy Goodchild |
Foundation PCC Governor |
|
| Mr. Mark Lyne |
Parent Governor |
|
| Vacancy |
Parent Governor |
24.03.2027 |
|
Mrs. Angela Pannell |
Parent Governor |
05.02.2026 |
|
Mrs. Sue Craig |
Staff Governor |
31.03.2024 |
|
Mr. N Hancock |
The Head |
|
|
Mr. James Ireland - Resigned 2023 |
Parent Governor |
|
|
Rev. Liz Paxton - Retired 2023 |
Foundation Ex.0fficio | |
|
Mr. Fergus Ranson - Resigned 2023 |
Authority Governor |
St Peter’s C of E (V.C.) Primary School Governors’ Attendance Record for 2022-2023
|
Governor |
Governing Board | Finance & Personnel | Pay | Premises |
Curriculum & Pupil Matters |
| No. of Meetings | No. of Meetings | No. of Meetings | No. of Meetings | No. of Meetings | |
| 4 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 3 | |
|
Ms. Nicola Adams Chair of Governors |
4 | 3 | 1 | ||
| Mr. Fergus Ranson | 1 | 2 | |||
| Rev'd Liz Paxton | 0 | 1 | |||
| Mr. Martin Lee | 2 | 4 | 1 | 3 | |
| Mr. Bob Darkins | 4 |
4 |
3 | ||
| Mr. David Heather | 4 | 2 | 2 | ||
|
Mr. Philip Zelley |
4 | 2 | 3 | ||
|
Mrs. Glenys Young |
2 | 3 | |||
|
Mr. James Ireland |
1 | 1 | |||
|
Mrs. Charlotte Bower |
4 | 4 | 3 | ||
|
Mrs. Angela Pannell |
4 | ||||
|
Mrs. Sue Craig |
3 | 2 | 2 | ||
|
Mr. Nicholas Hancock (Headteacher) |
4 | 4 | 3 | 3 |
Governors Committee Membership details and Business Interests
updated October 2023
As a school we recognise that a diversity of thought, voices and perspectives is essential to good governance and the effective running of any organisation. We regularly collect diversity information from our governors and, depending on current data, can use this to:
- target recruitment to address gaps in experience and diversity
- develop and adapt board practices to ensure full participation
- prioritise training and awareness-raising in identified areas
- address potential ‘blind spots’ through seeking wider advice and perspectives on current and upcoming opportunities, challenges and risks
However, we are unable to publish this information as it would mean that individual members of our governing body are identifiable.
|
Name of Governing Body Member |
Membership Representation |
Link Governors |
Date of Appointment |
End of Term |
Committee Membership |
Date of Interest Declaration |
|
Mr. Nicholas Hancock |
Headteacher |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
Premises Curriculum & Pupil Related Finance & Personnel |
Autumn 2023 |
|
Parent Chair of Governors |
1st Contact beyond the Headteacher Safeguarding Child Protection
Monitoring ICE & SFVS GDPR, Data Protection& Freedom of Information Single Central Record Staff & Pupil Wellbeing PSHE |
06/02/2022 |
05/02/2026 |
Finance & Personnel Pay Headteacher Performance Management Staff Grievance /Disciplinary/ Dismissals Appeals |
Autumn 2023 |
|
|
Mr Bob Darkins |
Co-opted Vice-Chair |
Health & Safety Single Central Record Sports Premium/PE |
08/11/2016 |
09/11/2024 |
Premises (Chair) Finance & Personnel Staff Grievance /Disciplinary/ Dismissals |
Family members own Darkins Supplies Autumn 2023 |
|
Mr. Phillip Zelley |
Authority Governor |
SEND Children Looked After Equality School Website |
25.03.2023 |
24.03.2027 |
Premises Curriculum & Pupil Related Headteacher Performance Management Pupil Exclusions |
|
|
Mr. David Heather |
Co-opted |
Geography History DT Art
|
12/07/2021 |
11/07/2025 |
Premises Finance & Personnel |
Owner " What a difference a Dave Makes" Spouse works at school Autumn 2023 |
|
Vacancy |
Foundation PCC |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mr. Fergus Ranson - Resigned 2023 |
Authority Governor |
|
|
|||
|
Mrs. Charlotte Bower |
Co-opted |
Pupil Attendance English Pupil Premium Music |
24/11/2021 |
23/11/2025 |
Curriculum & Pupil Related (Chair) Pay Staff Grievance /Disciplinary/ Dismissals Appeals |
Autumn 2023 |
|
Mr. Martin Lee |
Co-opted |
Whistleblowing Mathematics Computing Health & Wellbeing of Staff
|
12/03/2023 |
12/03/2027 |
Finance & Personnel (Chair) Curriculum & Pupil Related Pay Headteacher Performance Management Pupil Exclusions Staff Grievance /Disciplinary/ Dismissals Appeals |
Member of local Parish Council On Governing Board of Hedingham School Autumn 2023 |
|
Mrs. Angela Pannell |
Parent Governor |
Training Link Governor Science Spanish Personal Development |
06.02.2022 |
05.02.2026 |
Finance & Personnel Staff Grievance /Disciplinary/ Dismissals (Chair) |
Autumn 2023 |
|
Mrs. Glenys Young |
Foundation PCC Governor |
Religious Education Collective Worship EYFS SIAMS |
14.03.2023 |
13.03.2027 |
Curriculum & Pupil Related Staff Grievance /Disciplinary/ Dismissals Pupil Exclusions |
|
|
Mrs. Sue Craig |
Staff-Governor |
|
01/04/2016 |
01/04/2024 |
Premises Curriculum & Pupil Related |
Autumn 2023 |
