The day to day management of this school is the responsibility of the Headteacher but the Governing Body is responsible for overseeing all aspects of school life and has three statutory responsibilities:
- Setting the school’s vision, ethos and strategic direction;
- Holding the Headteacher to account for the educational performance of the school and its pupils; and
- Overseeing the financial performance of the school and making sure its money is well spent.
Our Governing Body has twelve members comprising of the Headteacher and eleven governors, all of whom are volunteers. They work closely with the Headteacher to achieve the shared vision.
Governors are appointed or elected in a number of different governor categories, representing the various groups with an interest in the school. We bring different skills and experience to the Governing Body and share a keen interest in the education of the children and an enthusiasm to help achieve the school’s vision.
Executive Headteacher – Jacqui Palmer
Chair – Michael Paul
Vice chair – Jonathan Redhead
Gemma Snodgrass
Diane Tunnard
Sarah Brewster
Claire Rowett
Alison Briers
Clerk – Leanne Eaton
Vacancy – Foundation
We have a very structured system for our organisation and arrange meetings accordingly:
- The Full Governing Body
Meets four times a year (once per term plus a meeting at the start of the year for administrative purposes) to receive and discuss reports and ask questions of the Headteacher, senior staff and fellow governors. Minutes of these meetings (minus any confidential items) are available on the school website.
- School Improvement Committee
As with Full Governing Body meetings, the agenda for the School Improvement Committee is flexible enough to take into account changing priorities and concerns. However, the committee regularly receives updates on curriculum and standards and carries out policy review and approval. It also deals with requests from staff; reviews professional development needs and discusses the governor monitoring visits before reporting to the full Governing Body.
- Resources Committee
Again, the agenda for this committee is flexible to take into account changing priorities. However, each meeting includes detailed budget monitoring, both for the current and next academic year, and an update on the balance of the school’s current account. Governors also review capital projects, approve payments, review charging policy and approve the budget management policy. They also receive reports on premises.
The governors ensure financial transparency. In addition to budget monitoring as explained above, they undertake financial benchmarking and complete the Schools Financial Value Standard annually. Please click here for a link to the schools financial benchmarking service.
Sharow C of E Primary school Governing Body Information 2023/24
Name | Type | Appointed | End of Term | Business Interests | Roles in other educational settings | Relationship Governors / school staff | Voting Rights | Responsibilities |
Jacqui Palmer | Headteacher | 01/01/2019 | Whilst in post | N/A | N/A | N/A | Y | N/A |
Claire Rowett | Co-opted | 01/09/2023 | 31/08/2027 | N/A | HT at Moorside Primary School & Nursery | N/A | Y | Development of governance (P4) |
Peter Cannings | Foundation | 01/09/2023 | 31/08/2024 | Institution of Engineering & Technology | N/A | N/A | Y | N/A |
Di Tunnard | Foundation | 01/09/2023 | Ex Officio | N/A | N/A | N/A | Y |
Planned and sequenced curriculum (P2) PSHE/RE linked to personal development (P3) Chair of School Improvement Committee Wellbeing HTPM |
Sarah Brewster | Parent | 01/09/2023 | 31/08/2027 | N/A | N/A | N/A | Y |
Wellbeing HTPM |
Jonathan Redhead | Parent | 01/09/2023 | 31/08/2027 | N/A | N/A | N/A | Y |
Vice Chair of Governors Chair of Resources Safeguarding Health & Safety Attendance |
Gemma Snodgrass | Staff | 01/09/2023 | 31/08/2027 | N/A | N/A | N/A | Y | Development of governance (P4) |
Michael Paul | Co-opted | 01/09/2023 | 31/08/2027 | Department for Education | N/A | N/A | Y |
Chair of Governors Pupil Premium |
Anna Whitham | Local Authority | 27/09/2023 | 26/09/2027 | N/A | N/A | N/A | Y | SEN |
Alison Briers | Co-opted | 27/09/2023 | 26/09/2027 | N/A | N/A | N/A | Y |
Training PE & Sports Premium |
Vacancy | Foundation | Y |
Governors who have stepped down since September 2022
Name | Type | Appointed | End of Term | Date stepped down |
Justin Wheatley | Co-opted | 29/09/2020 | 28/09/2024 | 19/03/2023 |
Chris Smith |
Co-opted | 01/09/2023 |