“Governors are committed to helping the school improve. They access appropriate training to ensure that they have the skills required to understand and carry out their statutory duties.”
“Governors’ minutes are of a high quality and reflect a strong focus on ensuring that children and pupils are safe and well cared for.” (Ofsted 2018)
The Role of the Governing Body
Who are we?
There are currently ten full governors who make up the Governing Body. Four are parents, two are members of staff, one is a Local Authority governor (Hertfordshire County Council) and three are Community governors (co-opted). We also have one Associate governor.
When Do We Meet?
Governors meet two or three times a term, in the evening, usually on a Monday. Each meeting lasts about two hours. In addition, governors visit the school regularly to observe all aspects of the school’s work.
What do we do?
The Governing Body is responsible for overseeing the work of the school and ensuring that everything is done properly.
We act as a “critical friend” to the Headteacher, reviewing what has been achieved and helping to plan for the future.
We approve the school’s curriculum and set the vision, ethos and strategic direction for the school.
We oversee the financial decisions of the school, ensuring the school’s income is well spent.
We oversee the school’s safeguarding arrangements.
We take an active role in virtually all appointments of new staff, to ensure that we have the best people possible to work with the pupils.
We investigate complaints against the school.
How can you become a Governor?
Initially, you can respond to an announcement in the school newsletter that there is a vacancy. The LEA Governor is nominated by Herts County Council, the parents in the school vote for the Parent Governors and the Governing Body appoints the Community/Co-opted Governors. The Staff body elect the Staff Governor.
Each governor is appointed for four years, initially, but can be re-elected or co-opted. If you are interested in the idea of becoming a governor, you can contact the Headteacher or Chair of Governors to discuss things further.
There are currently vacancies for one parent governor and two co-opted governors.
List of Governors
| Name | Category | Term | Attendance at Meetings 2020-21 |
Roles / Responsibilities | Relevant business & Pecuniary interests |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| William Spicer | LEA | Jan 20 – Jan 24 | 10/10 | Chair Pupil Premium DVP |
None |
| Stuart Dunlop | Co-opted | Jan 18 – Jan 22 | 10/10 | Married to ND | |
| Nicola Dunlop | Co-opted | Jan 18 – Jan 22 | 6/7 | H & S | Married to SD,
Employed at Ashtree Interest declared for 3/6 meetings |
| Nicholas Radley | Parent | Jan 19 – Jan 23 | 8/10 | Vice Chair, Safeguarding | None |
| Tanya Haskins | Parent | Jan 21 – Jan 25 | 6/7 | None | |
| Robert Robertson | Parent | Jan 19 – Jan 23 | 6/10 | None | |
| Kieran Doyle | Parent | Jan 21- Jan 25 | 6/7 | None | |
| Marina Stone | Co-opted | Jan 19 – Jan 23 | 7/10 | SEND | None |
| Maria Janes | Headteacher | Ex Officio | 10/10 | None | |
| Sally Barber | Staff | Jan 20 – Jan 24 | 5/10 | None | |
| Governors who have left within the last year | |||||
| Catherine Bucknor | Parent | Jan 19- June 21 | 7/8 | ||
| Elizabeth Kirwan | Headteacher | Ex Officio | 10/10 | ||
| Tom Bell | Parent | Jan 19 – Dec 20 | 1/3 | ||