The Governing Body meet monthly to rigorously review the school’s progress in meeting its aims and vision.
The core functions of the governing body are as set out in The School Governance (Roles, Procedures and Allowances) (England) Regulations 2013, regulation 6(2) and include, but are not limited to ensuring:
- that the vision, ethos and strategic direction of the school are clearly defined
- that the headteacher performs their responsibilities for the educational performance of the school
- the sound, proper and effective use of the school’s financial resources
A governing body and its governors must, as required by Regulation 6(2):
- act with integrity, objectivity and honesty and in the best interests of the school
- be open about the decisions they make and the actions they take and shall be prepared to explain their decisions and actions to interested parties
The governing body also has legislative responsibility and strategic oversight for the school’s safeguarding arrangements.
The Governing Body has some discretion as to how to discharge its responsibilities but is required to constitute itself in line with the regulations and to appoint a chair and vice chair. Our Governing Body was reconstituted in line with national regulations in April 2015.
Co-opted Governors are appointed by the Governing Body; parent governors are elected by parents; staff governors are elected by staff and Local Authority Governors are nominated by the Local Authority and appointed by the Governing Body.
‘Governors know the school well. They support and challenge school leaders to continually develop the school.’ Ofsted 2023.
The governors are contactable through the school office (01609 773521/admin@applegarth.n-yorks.sch.uk).
Governor Structure
There are four full governing board meetings per year and three finance/resources committee meetings per year.
Statutory Guidance for Governing Bodies
Applegarth Primary School adhere to the statutory guidance from the Department for Education. This means that governing bodies must have regard to it when carrying out duties relating to the constitution of governing bodies in maintained schools. For further information please view or download the documents below:
Documents – Statutory Guidance for Governing Bodies
| Statutory Guidance for Governing Bodies Policies & Documents | Download |
| The constitution of governing bodies of maintained schools (2017) | Download |
| Standing Orders (September 2023) | Download |
| Instrument of Government | Download |
| Code of Conduct for Governors (Oct 2021) | Download |
| Name | Representing | Term of Office | Link Role | Committee | Responsibilities | Register of Interests | Relationship to Staff |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kate Maxwell | Head Teacher | 01/09/2024- ongoing | – | – | – | – | – |
| Sarah Parkinson | Co-opted Governor | 29/09/2024 – 29/09/2028 | Staff and pupil well-being; play champion; PSHE and personal development | Complaints Staff Dismissal Finance | Co-Chair of Governors | – | – |
| Jo Burnside | LA Governor | 13/07/2022 – 13/07/2026 | Safeguarding Filtering and Monitoring GDPR | Complaints Performance Management Pupil Disciplinary Staff Dismissal Staff Dismissal Appeals | Vice Chair | – | – |
| Jill Pawluk | Co-opted Governor | 16/12/2024- 16/12/2028 | SEND and Quality of Education and Outcomes | Complaints Performance Management Pupil Disciplinary Staff Dismissal Appeals | – | – | |
| Cllr. Amanda Eames | Co-opted Governor | 16/02/2022- 16/02/2026 | Health and Safety | Complaints | – | – | – |
| Claire Mitchell | Co-opted Governor | 15/03/2023- 15/03/2027 | EYFS Attendance | Complaints | Co-Chair of Governors | – | – |
| Joe Hargreaves | Parent Governor | 04/12/2024-04/12/2028 | Complaints Staff Dismissal Finance | – | – | – | |
| Steph Hargreaves | Parent Governor | 14/01/2025- 14/01/2029 | Complaints Pupil Disciplinary | – | – | – | |
| Ellen Wilson | Co-opted Governor | 25/02/2025- 25/02/2029 | Complaints Finance Staff dismissal | – | – | – | |
| Vacant | Staff Governor | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| Louise Flanagan | Clerk | 01/09/2025 | – | – | – | – | – |
Requesting Minutes
Governor meeting minutes are public records. You can request to view minutes and agendas using the process attached below.
Documents – Requesting Minutes
| Requesting Minutes Policies & Documents | Download |
| Process for Minutes and Papers Requests | Download |
Annual Governance Statements
The annual governance statement is shared with the school community and local residents as well as being publicly available to view or download below:
Documents – Annual Governance Statements
| Annual Governance Statements Policies & Documents | Download |
| Annual Governance Statement (2021-2022 ) | Download |
| Annual Governance Statement (2020-2021) | Download |
Declarations of Business and Financial Interests
- There are no governors in governance roles in other educational institutions.
- There are no material interests arising from relationships between governors or relationships between governors and school staff (including spouses, partners and close relatives).
Governor Attendance
Schools are required to display a record of Governor attendance at meetings for each school academic year. You can view a copy of the Governor Meeting Minutes. Please contact the school office to arrange this.
KEY
✓ – Attended meeting
A/A – Apologies sent and accepted by meeting
N – Did not attend
n/a – Not a member of the committee
Record of Attendance 2024-2025
| Name | Wednesday 25 September 2024 | Wednesday 23 October 2024 | Wednesday 4 December 2024 | Wednesday 29 January 2025 | Tuesday 25 February 2025 | Wednesday 12 March 2025 | Wednesday 6 May 2025 | Wednesday 9 July 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kate Maxwell | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rev Claire Soderman | ✓ | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| Jo Burnside | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | A/A | A/A | ✓ | |
| Jill Pawluk | ✓ | A/A | A/A | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Sarah Parkinson | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Cllr Amanda Eames | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | A/A | A/A | A/A | ✓ | |
| Emily Burrell | A/A | ✓ | ✓ | – | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Claire Mitchell | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | A/A | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Kirsty Morgan | ✓ | A/A | A/A | ✓ | ✓ | A/A | ✓ | |
| Joe Hargreaves | – | – | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Steph McGuiness | – | – | – | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Ellen Wilson | – | – | – | – | ✓ | A/A | ✓ | |
| Clerk | Alex Hatley | Alex Hatley | Alex Hatley | Alex Hatley | Alex Hatley | Alex Hatley | Alex Hatley | Karen Summerhill |
Archived Attendance
You can also view previous years attendance on our website.
How To Become A School Governor
If you require further information on the roles and responsibilities of School Governors or you are interested in becoming one, visit the North Yorkshire County Council website School Governor section.
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