Transcript Governors Presentation

A warm welcome from Julie Clamp,
Our Chair of Governors
“Participate, excel, be proud!”
What does it mean to be a
Governor?
I asked a Year 4 boy “What do
governors do exactly?” This is
his simplest explanation.
“They are in charge of the
rules.”
Words of knowledge
We asked a selection of children ranging from Year 2 to
Year 6, “What is a Governor?” their responses were
fantastic, as you can see below:
 They are in charge of the rules;
 Like a head teacher of Mrs Hunt;
 Say what is going on/what is going to happen;
 Sorts out and organises the school;
 Makes decisions about making school better;
 A teacher who tells Mrs Hunt, who tells the teachers
what to do.
A child’s view of Governors at
work
We also asked them “How do Governors get to
know what you do?
Very simply they responded...
 By asking us, asking our teachers and Mrs Hunt and
through the School Council.
The job of the Governors…
There are 10 people, known as the
Governing Body, who challenge Mrs
Hunt to make sure the school continues
to improve and provides every pupil with
wonderful learning experiences.
We take Mrs Hunt’s advice on educational
matters because this is her expertise, and
constantly work together with her towards
improving the School and making sure all the
pupils at Snarestone are making as much
progress as they possibly can and achieve the
best they can.
Split into three smaller groups (subcommittees) we discuss with Mrs Hunt – also
a governor – if the lessons are exciting
enough. We ask ourselves: how many
children are finding lessons a bit difficult or
too easy? What can the school do to change
this?
Other questions we ask are: Do we have
enough money to buy materials or pay for
extra staff to help smaller groups progress?
Do we have enough learning space? Are all
our children safe and healthy at school so they
can learn really well?
Are we helping the teaching staff to develop
their own careers so they are enthusiastic
about teaching our children? Have we got the
right staffing structure to help our pupils
achieve?
This sounds like a lot of discussion and
decision-making, but it’s not always easy
because the money Snarestone receives each
year can change so sometimes there is not
enough money to tackle everything.
You may think decision-making doesn’t sound like
doing very much. Well, here are visible activities
you may see us doing in School: job interviews for
new teachers; reviewing Mrs Hunt’s progress;
joining in with community events, writing reports
from classroom visits and school trips; meeting with
teachers or pupils; training; studying pupil progress
data;
checking health and safety around the school;
speaking to parents and speaking to Ofsted
about current trends in the School during an
inspection.
We also look at how good your attendance
levels are and deal with parents complaints
when needed, if Mrs Hunt cannot resolve the
issue.
We all meet together once a term and each subcommittee meets once or twice a term. We have a paid
Clerk to Governors, Mrs Williams, who provides us with
legal advice on governance, constitutional and
procedural matters too. Governors don’t get paid for
their work: they are volunteers. It would also be quite
difficult to be an effective Governor unless you had a job
that gives you some time because it’s important to get
into School regularly.
Sometimes governors might not all agree on
something, and will ask the Senior Leadership
Team or teachers to provide more data, before
moving ahead. Ultimately we come to an
agreement with a majority vote.
Everyone in our School Community hold
governors responsible for the direction the
school takes but we can conclude that the
Governing Body is very supporting towards
the way the School is run.
Meet our
Team of
Governors
Julie Clamp - Chair
I have been involved with the school
since the late 1960’s when I myself
attended the school. All three of my
children have also attended. My Dad
was a Governor here for 35 years and
to keep my family link , I became a
Governor in 1999. I have lived in the
village all my life and am an active
member of the Church, village panto
and gardening club. I also enjoy
walking, cycling and reading when I
have some spare time! I am actively
involved with the School Council and
have recently become Chair of
Governors.
Adrian Green – Vice-Chair
and Parent Governor
I am a police officer with the
West Midlands Police and have
been for 27 years. My link with
the school is through my two
children, one has now left and
the other is currently in Year 5.
My wife was a former Governor
too! I am actively involved with
the school’s two football teams
and its great to see so many
children wanting to join. We
chose Snarestone School for our
children because we loved the
caring family atmosphere and
being a Governor is helping to
build on these values.
Brian Davies – LA Governor
Hello! I have been associated with
the school since 1973. My two
children went through the school
in the 90’s during which time I was
on the PTA and chaired it for a
couple of years. I was asked if I
would like to be a parent governor
in the late 1990’s and have been on
the Governing body ever since! I
also held the position of chair for a
few years. I stepped back into the
‘ranks’ when the governors at
Ibstock Community College asked
me to be Chair there. I still love
being associated with Snarestone
school and the kids.
Emma Pepper – Parent Governor
I have lived in Snarestone for 5
years and in that time have
become an active member of
the community – appearing in
the village panto, supporting
the village Tote activities, whilst
also being on the Church
committee. I have been a
parent governor of the school
for 2 years and have two
daughters, one who previously
attended the school and one
who is currently in year 5. I am
also a Headteacher of a Primary
School in Shepshed.
Christine Mounfield –
Foundation Governor
 I became a Governor of the
school, a long time ago, being
recruited through my
involvement with St
Bartholomew’s church and my
interest in education – I used to
be a teacher. I have lived in the
village for 22 years. I am a very
enthusiastic player of croquet
and always hold a special Year 6
croquet match in my garden
each year! I am also a keen
gardener and love to travel, my
list of destinations visited and to
visit, is growing larger by the
end of each year!
Richard Lovett – Foundation
Governor
Hi and I’m sure you have all
seen me around the school! I
have been involved with the
school since 1973, when I myself
came here.
I have a small farm on the
outskirts of Measham and also
run a contracting business.
Two of my three children have
now left the school and
currently my son is in year 4. As
well as a foundation governor, I
am also Chair of the
Health/Safety and Premises
committee.
Reverend Linda Cox –
Foundation Governor
I was ordained in the Church of
England in 2012; my first post
called a curacy is with The
Woodfield Team of Churches,
which includes Snarestone. Prior
to ordination I worked in my local
Primary School as a TA for 9 years
and before that as a Registered
General Nurse at Leicester Royal
Infirmary. I have a passion to see
children learn, explore, question
and grow and was delighted to
become a Governor at the school in
early 2013. When I have ‘free time’
I enjoy walking my dog, reading
and ‘being creative – anything
messy really!’
Debbie Evans – Foundation
Governor
I have lived in the village for over 20
years and both of my children
attended the school. For my job, I
am a chief executive of the
Association of Personal Injury
Lawyers.
I also write and appear in the local
pantomime, having starred as
Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, Prince
Charming to name a few! And more
recently due to ageing, as an ogre and
evil baroness! I am also active in the
local church.
I have been a Governor of the school
for 12 years, holding the position of
Chair until recently. I also sing and
organise the Snarestone Choir.
Nicky Hearfield – Staff Governor
I have been working for the
school since 2005 and am the
TA for Heron’s and
Kingfisher Class at present.
My daughter also attended
the school. Outside of
school I am a qualified
auditor and love anything
maths and sports based. I
am very keen on being
outdoors and am like an
instrumental force of nature
promoting sustainability and
outdoor learning!
Getting in touch with us...
We asked the children what do you think would be the
best way for your parents to get in touch with us?
 Ask questions when see you
 Send home a questionnaire
 Have an idea’s box
 Write a letter
 Send an email using our school website
 Is there any other way you think would be best?
Thank you for listening.
A message from Debbie Evans, one of our Foundation
Governors:
“We all take an active role in improving the quality of
teaching and leadership within the school to the highest
levels and have a strong grasp of the impact of a good
education and a caring school community on children of
all abilities, and are a supporter of small, inclusive,
village schools. We are keen to support pupils, parents
and staff in their journey through Snarestone School to
ensure the best outcome for every child.”