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Our Governors

The Dales Partnership Governors work closely with our Head Teacher – Mrs Clare Carr, all school staff, children, parents and representatives from the local authority (LA). The purpose of the Governing Body is to conduct the school with a view to promoting high standards of educational achievement. Its three core strategic functions are:

Ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction;
Holding the Headteacher to account for the educational performance of the school and its pupils, and the performance management of staff; and
Overseeing the financial performance of the school and making sure its money is well spent.

Governing Body Committee Structure

You can find out further information about our Governors by clicking the links below:

Name	Representing	Term of Office	Committee	Responsibilities	Register of Interests	Relationship to Staff
Executive Headteacher-Mrs C Carr	Executive Head teacher	01/04/2022 -		Executive Head teacher	None	None
Chair of Governors-Mrs J Bellis	Co-opted	01/04/2022- 31/03/2026	Appeals EHT Performance/Executive Committee Finance, Premises & Staffing	Chair of Governors Geography MFL SATs	None	None
Vice Chair – Mrs J Newell	Co-opted	01/04/2022- 31/03/2026	EHT Performance/Executive Committee Finance, Premises & Staffing First/Pay Review Vice Chair	Vice Chair History	None	None
Governor – Miss J Bainbridge	LA Governor	01/04/2022- 31/03/2026	Finance, Premises & Staffing First/Pay Review	PSHCE SEND	None	None
Governor – Mrs T Emery (Vice Chair)	Parent	01/04/2022- 31/03/2026	EHT Performance/Executive Committee Curriculum & Standards	Vice Chair EYFS	None	None
Governor – Rev Lloyd Evans	Co-opted	01/04/2022- 31/03/2026	Curriculum & Standards Appeals	Maths RE	None	None
Governor – Miss R Harmer	Co-opted	01/04/2022- 31/03/2026	Curriculum & Standards	English
Governor – Mrs J Hart	Co-opted	01/04/2022- 31/03/2026	Curriculum & Standards	Website Science SATs	None	None
Governor – Mrs I Hutchinson	Co-opted	01/04/2022- 31/03/2026	Curriculum & Standards	Training & Development	None	None
Governor – Mrs J Jackson	Co-opted	01/04/2022- 31/03/2026	Finance, Premises & Staffing First/Pay Review	Training & Development Wellbeing	None	None
Governor – Mrs V Menzies	Parent	01/04/2022- 31/03/2026	Curriculum & Standards	Curriculum Music GDPR	None	None
Governor – Mrs C Moffat	Co-opted	01/04/2022- 31/03/2026	Appeals Curriculum & Standards	Safeguarding LCA	None	None
Governor – Mr A Petty	Staff	01/04/2022- 31/03/2026	Curriculum & Standards	Art/DT	None	None
Governor – Miss K Scanlon	Co-opted	01/04/2022- 31/03/2026	Finance, Premises & Staffing	H&S	None	Yes

Statutory Guidance for Governing Bodies

Woodland Primary School adhere to the statutory guidance from the Department of 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. You can find out more about our Governors roles and responsibilities by viewing or downloading the document below:

The Dales Partnership Code of Conduct 2023

Governor Attendance

Schools are required to display a record of Governor’s attendance at meetings for each school academic year.

KEY
✓ – Attended meeting
Ap/Ac – Apologies sent and accepted by meeting
N – Did not attend
X – Not a member of the committee
T – Term of office ended
R – No Longer a Member of the Governing Body

Record of Governor’s Attendance 2023-2024

Name of Meeting	Finance, Premises & Staffing	Curriculum & Standards	Full Governing Body	Finance, Premises & Staffing	Curriculum & Standards	Full Governing Body
Date of Meeting	18/10/23	19/10/23	14/11/23	14/2/24	15/2/24	5/3/24
Location Of Meeting	Teams	Teams	Woodland Primary	Teams	Teams	Frosterley Primary
Mrs C Carr	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓
Mrs J Bellis	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓
Mrs J Newell	✓	X	✓	✓	X	✓
Miss J Bainbridge	X	✓	✓	Ap/Ac	X	✓
Mrs T Emery	X	✓	✓	X	✓	✓
Rev L Evans	X	✓	✓	X	Ap/Ac	Ap/Ac
Miss R Harmer	X	✓	✓	X	✓	✓
Mrs J Hart	X	✓	✓	X	✓	✓
Mrs I Hutchinson	X	Ap/Ac	Ap/Ac	X	✓	✓
Mrs J Jackson	✓	X	Ap/Ac	Ap/Ac	X	✓
Mrs V Menzies	X	✓	✓	X	✓	✓
Mrs C Moffat	X	✓	✓	X	✓	✓
Mr A Petty	X	✓	✓	X	✓	✓
Mrs H Robinson	N	X	R	R	R	R
Miss K Scanlon	✓	X	✓	✓	X	✓
Mr P Tennick	Ap/Ac	X	Ap/Ac	R	R	R

View Archived Attendance

Committee Terms of Reference

Full Governing Body

CHAIR: Mrs J Bellis
VICE CHAIR: Mrs J Newell and Mrs T Emery

Terms of Reference

Strategic Leadership and Accountability:

In collaboration with school leaders determine a clear and explicit vision for the future. Ensure this is communicated to the whole organisation.
Set strong and clear values and ensure these are embedded across the organisation and adhered to.
Determine the strategic direction for the school.
Monitor and evaluate pupil progress and attainment by receiving reports and information from the Executive Headteacher and other school leaders; compare against national and local benchmarks over time.
Receive reports from committees, working parties or individuals and agree actions.
Approve the SEF for each school and monitor throughout the year.
Approve the School Improvement Plan priorities for each school and monitor throughout the year progress towards agreed actions.
Ensure there is a transparent system for performance management of all staff which is clearly linked to each school’s priorities. Have oversight of staff performance throughout the year.
Ensure there are mechanisms in place to listen to and respond to the views of parents/carers, pupils, staff, local communities and employers.
Agree recruitment process to be followed in relation to Senior Leader posts; where delegated ratify appointments.
Final approval of the annual budget plan of each school.
Monitor each school’s budget throughout the year.
Agree virement and expenditure limits for the Executive Headteacher.
Hold at least 3 meetings each academic year. Ensure that committee meetings are held in accordance with the agreed terms of reference.

People and Structures:

Elect and/or remove Chair of Governors and Vice Chair of Governors.
Appoint Committee Chairs or delegate to each committee.
Consider and agree delegation of functions to individuals or committees.
Agree committee terms of reference and membership.
Establish a register of Governors business interests.
Ensure Governors information on the Get Information About Schools (GIAS) register and the school website is up to date and compliant with current requirements.
Confirm the Instrument of Government and subsequent amendments.
Appoint Co-opted, Local Authority and where necessary Parent Governors to the Governing Body.
Review and monitor Governor Induction Process.
Have regard for Governors professional development.
Where necessary, suspend or remove Governors from the Governing Body.
Appoint/dismiss the Clerk to the Governing Body.

Compliance and Evaluation:

Consider business provided by Local Authority and other sources
Suspend or end suspension of staff members.
Ensure all statutory policies are in place and there is an effective policy review cycle.
Review and agree the Governor Code of Conduct.
Confirm arrangements for completion of a Governor Skills Audit.
Ensure there is regular self-evaluation and review of individual’s contribution to the Governing Body as well as the Governing Body’s overall operation and effectiveness.
As necessary, consider an external review of the Governing Body’s effectiveness.
Ensure each school website is up to date and compliant with current DfE requirements.

Curriculum and Standards Committee

CHAIR:

Terms of Reference

Elect Chair

Curriculum Planning and Delivery:

Review, monitor and evaluate the curriculum offer.
Contribute to the development and monitoring of each school’s:
Self Evaluation form
School Improvement Plan
Targets for school improvement
Develop and review policies identified within each school’s policy review programme and in accordance with its delegated powers (e.g. sex education and pupil discipline/behaviour).
Ensure that each schools’ policy on SEND is consistent with the Code of Practice and Equalities Act and receive termly reports from the Executive Headteacher/SENDCo and an annual report from the SEND Governor.
Ensure the SEND Policy is monitored and reviewed regularly and that the policy is known to parents/carers.
Ensure that each school complies with the provisions of the Equalities Act 2010.

Assessment and Improvement:

Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of leadership and management.
Monitor and evaluate the quality of teaching and learning and the impact on rates of pupils progress and standards of achievement
Monitor and evaluate the impact of continuing professional development on improving staff performance.
Receive pupil progress and achievement data; monitor and evaluate rates of progress and standards of achievement against agreed targets for all pupils and for all groups of pupils.
Monitor and evaluate provision for all groups of vulnerable children e.g. looked after children and ensure all their needs have been identified and addressed.
Monitor and review impact of Pupil Premium, Sports Premium.
Monitor and review pupil attendance data against attendance targets.
Monitor and review pupil exclusion information.
Set priorities for improvement and monitor and evaluate the impact of improvement plans which relate to the committee’s area of operation.
Regularly review the Assessment Policy and ensure that the policy is operating effectively.
Ensure each school is fulfilling its responsibilities regarding child protection and the requirements of ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education’
Receive reports from external sources and agree actions to address recommendations; monitor and evaluate progress made.
Ensure all children have equal opportunities.
Ensure Safeguarding policies are adhered to; monitor and review all safeguarding policies/procedures within each school.
Advise the Finance and Premises and Staffing Committee on the relative funding priorities necessary to deliver the curriculum.
Monitor pupils’ attitudes, values and development of other personal qualities within the school through the provision of R.E. and PHSCE. Ensure parents are informed of the right to withdraw their child.

Engagement:

Monitor each school’s publicity, public presentation and relationships with parents/carers and the wider community.
Identify and celebrate pupil achievements.
Oversee and monitor arrangements for out of hours provision, extra-curricular activities and educational visits including overnight stays.
Ensure that adequate provision is made for pupil transition.
Ensure all statutory requirements for reporting and publishing information are met.
Review and monitor each school’s website to ensure that it is accessible and fully compliant with current DfE requirements.
Ensure each school works well with its community, parents and other schools.

Pupil Discipline (when required):

Consider representations from parents/carers in the case of fixed term exclusions in line with statutory guidance.
Consider the appropriateness of any permanent exclusion or any exclusion where one or more fixed period exclusions total more than 15 school days in one term or where a pupil is denied the chance to take a public examination in line with statutory guidance.

MEETINGS: at least termly
QUORUM: 3
DISQUALIFICATIONS: None

Finance and Premises and Staffing Committee

CHAIR:
Terms of Reference

Elect Chair

Finance:

In conjunction with the Executive Headteacher to draft and propose the first formal budget plans of the financial year for approval by the full Governing Body.
Establish and maintain an up-to-date three year financial plan for each school, taking into account priorities in the School Improvement Plans, roll projection and signals from Central Government and the LA regarding future years’ budgets.
Ensure that priorities detailed within the School Improvement Plans are appropriately costed and are reflected in the annual budget.
Monitor the budget position statement to identify and address any anomalies from the anticipated position and report termly to the full Governing Body.
Review and monitor outstanding debts and action taken.
Review and monitor Direct School Meals Provision by income and expenditure statements.
Review the year end outturn report.
Monitor and approve virements and expenditure over the Headteacher’s delegated limit.
Appraise and approve spending decisions where competitive quotations or tenders are required.
Ensure the schools operates within the financial regulations of the Local Authority and the requirements of the DfE Schools Financial Value Standard (SFVS).
Approve annually the Schools Financial Value Standard (SFVS) submission prior to the 31 March deadline and monitor the implementation of any identified actions.
Review Related Party Transaction Register.
Monitor expenditure of all voluntary funds held in all three schools on behalf of the Governing Body by review of an audited annual statement of income and expenditure.
Confirm management arrangements for the Private School Funds and nominate an officer/s to administer the funds (Treasurer).
Appoint an Auditor for the Private School Fund.
Annually review the outcomes of the asset register stock check of all three schools and approve the disposal of obsolete items.
Ensure appropriate use of the Pupil Premium, Sports Premium
Review and monitor the school’s website to ensure that it is accessible and fully compliant with current DfE requirements.
Annually review and monitor all financial policies including lettings, charging and remissions and expenses policies.
Consider and promote income generation.
Annually review income generated from contracts and lettings; oversee the use of premises by outside users.
Where necessary, monitor and review Extended Care provision including review of annual income and expenditure statements where applicable.
Ensure all appropriate insurances are in place.
Annually review and approve the school’s Financial Procedures Manual.
Monitor service level agreements annually and make decisions in respect of service level agreements ensuring value for money.
Make decisions on expenditure following recommendations from other committees. For example collaborative working arrangements with other schools and/or bodies to ensure value for mone
Ensure pay decisions can be appropriately funded.
Ensure as far as is practical that health and safety issues are appropriately funded in accordance with agreed priorities.
Annually review financial benchmarking data.
Monitor the implementation of actions arising from the Internal Audit report or of a financial nature from other inspection regime reports.
Ensure appropriate systems and procedures are in place to detect and prevent fraud and ensure any instances of fraud are reported immediately.
Ensure any instances of fraud or financial irregularity are reported immediately to the Head of Education and Skills and Chief Internal Auditor and Corporate Fraud Manager. (replaces a similar but less robust statement)

Premises:

Establish, review and monitor the Health and Safety Policy ensuring that each school meets health and safety requirements.
Ensure actions are taken in respect of relevant health and safety legislation.
Ensure that premises and the learning environment are maintained and are fit for purpose.
Provide support and guidance for the Executive Headteacher and Governing Body on all matters relating to the maintenance and development of the premises and grounds, including health and safety.
Ensure that an annual inspection of the premises and grounds are undertaken and a report received identifying any issues. Inform the Governing Body of the reports and set out a proposed order of priorities for maintenance and development for the approval of the Governing Body.
Ensure professional surveys and emergency works are arranged as necessary.
Oversee the use of premises by outside users.
Establish and keep under review an Accessibility Plan and an Asset Management/Building Development Plan.
Monitor data on accidents and incidents.

Staffing:

Carry out an annual review of each school’s staffing structure in consultation with the Executive Headteacher.
Ensure each school is sufficiently staffed to fulfil their effective operation and the School Improvement Plan (SIP).
Oversee the recruitment and selection procedures for all staff.
Make recommendations to the Finance, Premises and Staffing Committee on personnel-related expenditure.
Develop and review policies identified within each school’s policy review programme and in accordance with its delegated powers (e.g. Appraisal, Whistleblowing, Recruitment and Selection).
Keep under review work/life balance, working conditions and well-being including monitoring attendance management.
Review each school’s Single Central Record to ensure compliance with current statutory expectations.
Ensure that the school’s policy on safeguarding and child protection is compliant with the most recent KCSIE guidance and LCSB expectations
Approve the Staff Code of Conduct and ensure all staff are aware
Teaching staff appointments
General Complaints

Delegation to the Executive Headteacher / Chair

School Staffing (England) Regulations 2009.

Appointments:

The Governing Body delegates to the Executive Headteacher with one or more Governors to appoint outside the Leadership Group:

Permanent Support Staff Posts
Temporary Posts

Dismissals:

The Executive Headteacher has no delegated responsibility for dismissals. All dismissals lie within the appropriate committee (First/Pay Review)

Lifting Suspensions

Delegation to the Chair of Governors for all staff (excluding the Executive Headteacher)
First/Pay Review Committee for the Executive Headteacher

MEETINGS: at least termly
QUORUM: 3
DISQUALIFICATIONS: where there may be a conflict or a pecuniary interest.

Virement Limits		Expenditure Limits
Limit set for Executive Headteacher without prior written approval of Chair of Governing Body Where the cumulative effect of multiple virements on the same budget heading exceeds this limit, details are to be reported to the next Finance and Premises Committee meeting for information and retrospective approval	£5000	Any items of expenditure up to	£5,000
Limit set for Executive Headteacher with approval from Chair of Governors A log of these approvals will be maintained and details reported to the next Finance and Premises Committee meeting.	£5000 to £10000	Above this limit if item was previously notified to the Governing Body
Prior Finance, Premises and Staffing Committee or Chair of Governors approval (whichever is the soonest) to be sought outside of these limits and reported to the Finance, Premises and Staffing Committee at the earliest opportunity.

NB Any goods/services purchased and works to be carried out are subject to Durham County Council Contract Procedures Rules (January 2014) for quotations i.e. quotations or tenders to be invited from capable contractors based on the likely value of the procurement over its lifetime:

Between £500 and £5000 at least one quotation
Between £5001 and £50,000 at least three quotations
Over £50,000 full tender exercise

Executive Committee / Executive Headteacher’s Performance Review Committee

LEAD GOVERNOR:
Terms of Reference

Attend monthly meetings to support the function of the schools’ leadership and strengthen the partnership between the three schools in the federation.
Set, with the support of the External Advisor (EA) or Leadership Adviser, the Executive Headteacher’s annual performance objectives.
Monitor throughout the year the performance of the Executive Headteacher against agreed performance objectives.
Review, with the support of the External Advisor (EA) or Leadership Adviser achievement of performance objectives.
Make recommendations to the First/Pay Review Committee in respect of the Executive Headteacher’s annual pay progression.

MEETINGS: Monthly Executive Committees / EHPR Autumn Term plus monitoring meetings
DISQUALIFICATIONS: EHPR – Executive Headteacher and staff

First / Pay Review Committee

CHAIR:
Terms of Reference

Elect Chair (if delegated by full Governing Body).
Annually agree the Teachers’ Pay Policy.
Act in accordance with the Teachers’ Pay Policy when carrying out the annual review of teachers’ salaries.
Report to the Finance, Premises and Personnel Committee on pay review related expenditure.
Consider any requests made in accordance with personnel policies e.g. flexible working, leave of absence etc. (unless delegated to the Executive Headteacher).
Make any decisions under the personnel procedures adopted by the Governing Body e.g. disciplinary, grievance, ill-health, capability etc. (Unless delegated to the Executive Headteacher).
Deal with matters relating to staffing reductions.

MEETINGS: at least annually
QUORUM: 3
DISQUALIFICATIONS: Executive Headteacher; Chair of Governors (if have prior knowledge); where there may be a conflict of interest; any Governor whose spouse/partner is involved; staff (annual pay review and matters relating to staffing reductions)

Appeals Committee

CHAIR:
Terms of Reference

Elect Chair (if delegated by full Governing Body).
Consider any appeal against a decision made under the personnel procedures adopted by the Governing Body.
Consider any appeal against a decision made by the First/Pay Review Committee during the annual review of teachers’ salaries.
Consider any appeal against selection for redundancy through a staffing reduction process.
Consider complaints against the school in accordance with the agreed school Complaints Procedure.

MEETINGS: as and when required.
QUORUM: Must have at least the same number of Governors as were present at the original hearing.
DISQUALIFICATIONS: Executive Headteacher; Chair of Governors (if have prior knowledge); any Governor involved in the original hearing; where there may be a conflict of interest; any Governor whose spouse/partner is involved; staff (appeals in relation to salary or staffing reduction

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