OFSTED (December 2018) 'Governors are committed to their roles and want what is best for the pupils in the school. Governors know the school's strengths and provide high challenge to the leaders.'
School Governors
Role of the Governing Body
This section introduces the School Governors and describes the role we play at Bywell C of E (C) Junior School.
Whilst Ms Z Adam, as Head Teacher, and supported by the Leadership Team, is responsible for the operation and management of the school, the Governing Body has three key statutory responsibilities:
- setting the school’s strategic direction;
- holding the Head Teacher 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.
We also have responsibility for agreeing policies and procedures essential to the operation of the school.
Our role is often described as acting as a “critical friend” to the Head Teacher and staff – we provide support and advice to help them set and achieve targets, raise the school’s performance standards and give all pupils the best possible education. We do this primarily by monitoring and evaluating the school’s effectiveness and asking challenging questions.
We also have a responsibility to handle complaints. However, it is important to note that individual concerns or queries should always be raised initially with your child’s class teacher, and then with the Headteacher if you feel that your concern has not been resolved. It is important to follow the guidelines listed in the school’s complaints policy because if a concern is initially raised with a governor this could, in effect, ‘taint’ the Governing Body meaning that it could be difficult to escalate any concern to to the Complaints Committee if Governors have been involved in any way at the beginning of the process.
See below for other information which explains who the Governors are.
If you would like to find out more about the work we do, are interested in becoming a School Governor, or have any other questions or suggestions for us, then please do speak to Ms Adam, the Headteacher or any of the other Governors. Alternatively, if you pop into the office you can get hold of relevant contact details or arrange to see one of us.
Mr N Calcutt
Chair of Governors
School Governors
Ms Zaheda Adam - Ex Officio Governor
Appointed 24.05.2010 - Term of Office Ongoing
No Business Interests
Standards & Effectiveness, Finance & Resources, Health & Safety
Mrs K Asquith - Parent Governor
Appointed 10.01.2019 - Term of Office 4 years
No Business Interests
SEN Governor
Appointed by Governing Body
Committees: Standards and Effectiveness, Pupil Exclusion, Chair of Appeals, Chair of Pupil Discipline.
Mr Dave Hewitt - Co-opted Governor
Appointed 23.01.20 - Term of Office 4 years
Business Interest - Principal at Manorcroft Academy.
Safeguarding & Child Protection Governor
Appointed by Governing Body
Committees: Complaints, Standards and Effectiveness, Staff Discipline, Pupil Exclusion, Chair of Staff Dismissal.
Mrs Zoe Birkin - Parent Governor
Appointed 22.01.2018 - Resigned 10.12.20
No Business Interests
Looked after Children Governor
Appointed by Governing Body
Committees: Head Teacher Appraisal, Appeals, Staff Dismissal, Standards and Effectiveness, Staff Discipline, Pupil Exclusion.
Mrs Anne Willoughby - Foundation Governor
Appointed 25.10.2017 - Term of Office 4 years
No Business Interests
Wellbeing Governor
Appointed by Governing Body
Committees: Head Teacher Appraisal, Pupil Discipline, Staff Dismissal, Standards and Effectiveness, Health and Safety, Staff Discipline, Pupil Exclusion.
Mr Michael Broome - Co-opted Governor
Appointed 23.01.20 - Term of Office 4 years
No Business Interests
Premium Link Governor
Appointed by Governing Body
Committees: Appeals, Standards and Effectiveness, Chair of Finance and Resources, Chair of Health and Safety.
Mr Nick Calcutt - Chair of Governors - Local Authority Governor
Appointed 13.02.2019 - Term of Office 4 years
Business Interest - The Vital Element Ltd - caretaking cleaning service.
Health & Safety, Equality and Wellbeing Governor
Appointed by Governing Body
Committees: Finance and Resources, Standards and Effectiveness, Health and Safety, Chair of Pupil Exclusion, Chair of Head Teacher Appraisal, Chair of Complaints and Chair of Staff Discipline.
Mrs Lisa Wright - Governor Designate
Appointed 03.12.20 - Term of Office 4 years
No Business Interests
SEN Governor, Looked After Children Governor, Safeguarding Governor, Equality Governor
Miss Elizabeth Wolfenden - Staff Governor
Appointed 10.12.2018 - Term of Office 4 years
No Business Interests
Committees: Finance and Resources, Standards and Effectiveness.
