The Governing Body meet monthly to rigorously review the school’s progress in meeting its aims and vision.
The three key functions of governance:
- Overseeing the financial performance of the school and making sure its money is well spent.
- Holding the head teacher to account for the educational performance of the school and its pupils.
- Ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction.
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.
‘The Chair of the Governing Body is very knowledgeable and is well supported by other governors. The governors have clear areas of responsibility which they regularly check, through a programme of school visits. They check closely the school’s plans for the future, the quality of teaching, the achievement of pupils and the curriculum.’ Ofsted 2014.
The governors are contactable through the school office (01609 773521/admin@applegarth.n-yorks.sch.uk).
Governor Structure
N.B. We do not have committees. All meeting are full governing body meetings.
| Name | Representing | Term of Office | Link Role | Committee | Responsibilities | Register of Interests | Relationship to Staff |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Justin Peoples | Head Teacher | 11/09/2019 – ongoing | – | – | – | – | – |
| Rev. Claire Soderman | Co-opted Governor | 17/11/2021- 17/11/2025 | Behaviour Finance | Complaints Performance Management Pupil Disciplinary | 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 | – | – |
| Diane Parsons | Co-opted Governor | 16/09/2020 – 16/09/2024 | Curriculum Development and Leadership | Complaints Performance Management | – | NYCC employee Principal Scrutiny Officer appointed in February 2008 | – |
| Jill Pawluk | Co-opted Governor | 16/12/2020- 16/12/2024 | 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 Finance | Complaints | – | – | – |
| Claire Mitchell | Co-opted Governor | 15/03/2023- 15/03/2027 | EYFS Attendance | Complaints | – | – | – |
| Sarah Parkinson | Parent Governor | 18/12/2020- 18/12/2024 | Staff and Pupil Wellbeing Play Champion PSHE and Personal Development | Complaints Staff Dismissal | – | – | – |
| Sgt. Jonathan Snelling | Parent Governor | 14/12/2022- 14/12/2026 | Pupil Premium and LAC Service Pupils | Complaints Pupil Disciplinary | – | – | – |
| Kirsty Morgan | Parent Governor | 17/05/2023 – 17/05/2027 | Anti Bullying | Complaints Pupil Disciplinary | – | – | – |
| Emily Burrell | Staff Governor | 07/06/2021- 07/06/2025 | – | – | – | – | – |
| Alex Hatley | Clerk | 07/02/2024 | – | – | – | – | – |
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:
| Statutory Guidance for Governing Bodies Policies & Documents | Download |
| Code of Conduct for Governors (Oct 2021) | Download |
| Instrument of Government | Download |
| Standing Orders (September 2023) | Download |
| The constitution of governing bodies of maintained schools (2017) | Download |
Requesting Minutes
Governor meeting minutes are public records. You can request to view minutes and agendas using the process attached below.
| 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:
| Annual Governance Statements Policies & Documents | Download |
| Annual Governance Statement (2020-2021) | Download |
| Annual Governance Statement (2021-2022 ) | 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 2023-2024
| Name | Wednesday 27 September 2023 | Wednesday 11 October 2023 | Wednesday 6 December 2023 | Wednesday 7 February 2024 | Wednesday 13 March 2024 | Wednesday 15 May 2024 | Wednesday 10 July 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Justin Peoples | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Rev Claire Soderman | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | A/A | ||
| Jo Burnside | A/A | ✓ | A/A | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Diane Parsons | ✓ | ✓ | A/A | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Jill Pawluk | ✓ | ✓ | A/A | ✓ | A/A | ||
| Sarah Parkinson | ✓ | A/A | ✓ | A/A | ✓ | ||
| Cllr Amanda Eames | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | A/A | A/A | ||
| Emily Burrell | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Sgt Jonathan Snelling | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Claire Mitchell | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Kirsty Morgan | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Clerk | Andrea Devine | Penny Fenton | Chris Walker | Alex Hatley | Alex Hatley |
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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