Governance

Our school governors play an important role in making sure our school provides the best possible education for every child. Working alongside the Headteacher, who manages the day-to-day running of the school, governors help shape the school’s vision, values, and policies. They provide support, guidance, and challenge to help the school achieve its goals.

What Governors Do

• Guide the school’s vision: They help set the long-term goals and values of the school.

• Monitor progress: Governors check how well pupils are learning and how effectively staff are performing.

• Oversee finances: They make sure the school budget is well managed and used wisely.

• Support and challenge: Governors act as a ‘critical friend’, offering advice while making sure high standards are maintained.

• Connect with the community: They listen to parents, carers, and local stakeholders to ensure the school meets the needs of everyone it serves.

• Ensure safety and fairness: Governors help make sure policies are followed and that the school is a safe and welcoming place for all.

The governing body meets six times a year to review the school’s progress and make important decisions. Many governors also work in smaller committees to focus on areas such as personnel.

Governors don’t work in the school every day, but their guidance and oversight make a real difference to the experiences and opportunities to our children in school.

The Governing Body at Thorney Close Primary School

The Governing Body is made up of representatives from the school staff, the Local Education Authority, parents, and the wider community that our school serves. Governors usually serve a term of four years, but many choose to stand for re-election and continue for multiple terms.

Our Governing Body has a maximum of 13 members, as follows:

• The Headteacher

• One Local Authority governor (who cannot be a member of staff)

• Parent governors, elected by the parents

• One staff governor, elected by school staff

• Co-opted governors, appointed by the Governing Body

When a parent-governor vacancy arises, all parents are informed and invited to apply. If there are more applicants than available positions, a ballot is held.

Types of Governor
At Thorney Close Primary School, we have a diverse mix of governors with a wide range of skills, experience, and interests, ensuring the Governing Body can effectively fulfil its responsibilities.

• Parent Governors: Elected by the parents of children attending the school.

• Co-opted Governors: Appointed by the Governing Body. Co-opted governors do not need to have children at the school but should have skills or experience that support the Governing Body, such as finance, HR, marketing, or leadership, or be willing to undertake training.

• Staff Governors: Employees of the school, either teachers or support staff, elected by all staff members.

• Local Authority Governors: Appointed following a nomination by the Local Authority. They must bring skills that help the Governing Body deliver its core responsibilities effectively.

• Associate Members: Appointed by the Governing Body, these members can include school staff or other individuals with relevant experience. They contribute to specific committees based on their expertise, such as the Deputy Headteacher or School Business Manager.  Associate Members do not attend meetings but do not have any voting rights.

This structure ensures that the Governing Body has the right balance of perspectives, knowledge, and skills to guide the school and support its ongoing success.

Our Governors

Staff  (including headteacher):

Mrs Catherine Jones (Headteacher)

Ms Claire Wright

Local Authority:

Mrs Donna Hargrave

Parent:

Mr Marc Chartres

Miss Lisa Palmer

Mr Glenn Proctor (Vice Chair of Governors)

Miss Alice Rowell

Miss Mandy Watt

Co-opted:

Mr Nick Lawson

Mr Lewis Lynch

Mrs Lorraine Scott (Chair of Governors)

At Thorney Close Primary, Mrs Nicola Leyland, Deputy Headteacher, and Mrs Ruth Jenner, School Business Manager, serve as Associate Members of the Governing Body. They attend meetings and provide the governors with valuable knowledge and expertise on school matters. However, they do not have any voting rights.

Further Information

Constitution of governing bodies of maintained schools

Maintained schools governance guide

National Governance Association