Arbourthorne Community Primary School

Arbourthorne Community Primary School

'... a place of joy, inclusivity and learning' OfSTED 2022

Governors & Code of Conduct

Welcome to the section of the website where you can find out more about the school's governors and the work that we do. 

Our main role is to support the Headteacher and the staff - the phrase often ued to describe this role is 'a critical friend'.  We help them set and reach targets and to strive for excellence across the whole spectrum of school life.  The two key documents used for this are the SIP (School Development Plan) and the SEF (Self Evaluation Form).  The SIP sets out a strategic plan for the school, with targets that everyone works towards and the SEF sets out how well the school is doing and where we aim to make improvements. 

Our legal duties include:

  • setting strategic direction, policies and objectives
  • approving the school budget
  • reviewing progress against the school's budget and objectives
  • appointing, challenging and supporting the Headteacher

Our Governing Body meetings are usually held in the evening.  We attend training sessions to help us keep up to date with changes in schools and education and to help us do our job effectively.  We also go into school to meet with the Headteacher, other members of staff and pupils to help us find out how the school is progressing towards its targets. 

The Full Governing Body meets at least once every term.  Currently all governors also attend committee meetings; Strategic, Teaching & Learning and Finance, Premises and Personnel.  

There are also named governor with responsibility for safeguarding, Headteacher appraisal and health & safety. 

Fortnightly meetings are held between the Headteacher and Chair of Governors to discuss school matters and monitor aspects of school, such as the budget. 

All governors are kept well informed about the leadership of the school and are consulted about key strategic decisions, where appropriate. 

All of our governors follow the NGA code of coduct for maintained schools. 

We are committed to providing an excellent environment for all pupils to enjoy during their time at our school. 

 

Our School Governors

Caroline Beattie - Chair of Governors (EYFS practitioner)

Vanessa Langley - Headteacher 

Lisa Shackleton - Co-opted (NHS manager) & Vice Chair

Stacey Hunter- Co-opted Governor (Health - NHS Teaching Hospital)

Fiona Smith - Local Authority Governor (Inclusion - LA attendance and inclusion manager)

Nichola Wilcox - Staff Governor

Adewale Ogunsanwo - Parent Governor

Mandy Fenech - Associate Governor (non-teaching staff)

Lianne Ward - Associate Governor

David Connor - Associate Governor

Kathryn Clarkson  - Co-opted Governor  & Chair of T&L Committee (Education - LA Early Years SEND specialist) 

Catherine Udall - Co-opted Governor & Chair of Finance, Premises & Personnel Committee (Finance, Pupil premium, former School Business manager)

Governors hold important public office and their identity should be known to their school and wider communities. Under new regulations (September 2015) governing bodies are required to publish the following information to help with this transparency.  A full register of personal and business interests are held in school. 

Governor Attendance 2024-2025

Please click the link below to download the governors attendance at meetings document. 

Meeting attendance totals for 2024/25

 

Governor Register of Pecuniary Interests 2025-2026

Please click the link below to download the governors register of pecuniary interests document.

Governor's Register of Pecuniary Interests