Welcome to the Governors Information page!

The documents below give information about our Governing Body.
If you are interested in finding out what the role of parent representative governor entails, you may find the document below; entitled 'Being a Governor', quite useful.

Being a Governor.

What is the role of a Governing Body?

• 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.

What is the role of a Governor?

To ask the right questions, such as:

1. 1Which groups of pupils are the highest and lowest performing, and why?
2. Do you have credible plans for addressing under-performance or less than expected progress? How will we know that things are improving?
3. Which year groups or subjects get the best and worst results and why? \how doses this relate to the quality of teaching in the school? What is your strategy for improving the areas of weakest performance?
4. How are you going to raise standards for all children, including the most and least able, those with special educational needs, those receiving free school meals, boys and girls, those of a particular ethnicity, and any who are currently underachieving? How will we know if your approach is working?
5. Do we have the right staff and the right development and reward arrangements?
6. What is the school’s approach to implementation of pay reform and performance related pay? If appropriate, is it compliant with the most up to date version of the School Teachers Pay and Conditions Document?
7. Is this a happy school with a positive learning culture? What is our track record on attendance, behaviour and bullying? Are safeguarding procedures securely in place? What are you doing to address any current issues, and how we will know if it is working?
8. How good is our wider offer to pupils? Is the school offering a good range of sports, arts and voluntary activities? Is the school food healthy and popular?
9. Do we listen to what pupils and parents are telling us?

What does being a Governor involve?

• Two full Governing Body (FGB) meetings a term, including reading papers beforehand
• Involvement in one or more sub-committees
• Linking to a particular curriculum are or other area of activity
• Visiting the school to observe lessons and talk to staff and children
• Undertaking relevant training
• Supporting school activities

What does being a Governor not involve?

• Being an education specialist – just an interest in teaching and learning in its widest sense.
• Raising personal ‘hobby-horses’ or your own child-related issues – ‘Hobby-horses’ have no place and your child-related issues should be discussed with their teacher.
• Being a spokesperson or lobbyist for parents – you’re not required to represent the views of every other parent, just to share your perspective as a parent in the discussions and decisions.
• Sharing the ‘insider’ story – there are some items on the agenda within the confidential section which might affect a pupil or staff member and must remain confidential. The general minutes are publicly available

We need parent governors!

If you care about education become a parent governor!

All schools need committed parent governors – people who are willing to take an active interest in the life of the school.  Governors are elected/appointed for four years.

It is important that governors reflect the local community.  People of all backgrounds, cultures and races have a valuable contribution to make and should think about becoming a governor.

Who are the governors?

• parents, elected by parents of children at the school
• teachers, elected by teaching staff at the school
• the headteacher
• staff, elected by the support staff at the school
• people appointed by the Borough of Lewisham, some of whom are nominated by the local political parties
• community, people chosen by the governing body to represent the local community or because they have a particular interest or experience

What do governors do?

• advise and support the headteacher
• meet together regularly to discuss that running of the school
• help ensure all children and young people have an equal chance to succeed at school
• visit the school to see how it works
• select the headteacher and staff
• keep under review the aims and curriculum of the school
• decide how money allocated to the school is spent
• sit on panels to consider pupil exclusion, parental complaints, staff grievance and discipline issues
• ensure that the right provision is made for pupils with special educational needs
• work in partnership with the school, parents, the local community and Lewisham  

How much time will it take?

There is at least one full governors’ meeting each term

In addition you may be asked to join a committee which meets more frequently and reports back to the full governors’ meeting

You will need to visit the school so you can get to know the staff, pupils and parents.  The better you know the school, the more confident you will feel in making decisions.  It is suggested that you visit during the school day for at least one morning or afternoon each term – please make an appointment with the headteacher

With so much for governors to learn, all schools have the opportunity to buy into Lewisham governor training programme.

Parent governor elections

Why become a parent governor?

Parents are a major source of support for the school.  Schools are more effective if there is regular and positive dialogue with parents and if parents are involved in the work of the school.  Parent governors are one of the ways parents can take part in the life of the school.  You might find it helpful to talk to the outgoing parent governor(s) about what is involved.

Black and ethnic minority parents are currently under-represented on governing bodies. Parents from these groups are particularly encouraged to consider standing for election.

How to become a parent governor?

You will be given details of the parent governor elections.  You do not have to wait to be nominated, you can put your own name forward.  You will probably be asked to give some information about yourself.

How long do I have to be a governor for?

You serve for four years from the date you are elected.   Even if your child leaves, you can still remain a parent governor for the full four years. Any governor may of course choose to resign before his/her term of office ends: this should be done in writing to the Clerk to Governors.

Are parent governors different from other governors?

Parent governors have the same status, duties and responsibilities as other members of the governing body.  They have no power to take action as governor unless they have been asked to do so by the governing body.

Parent governors are not elected to represent the parents but to bring the voice of the parents to the governing body.  Although parent governors may be regarded as the official channel for parents’ views they do not have to consult with the body of parents before they can speak or act as governors.

Am I allowed to talk about governing body meetings?

Most governing bodies aim to keep confidential items to a minimum, however, all governors need to bear in mind that indiscreet talk about what has been said or decided at a governors’ meeting can cause problems.  Governors need to feel secure enough to speak openly and make decisions without fear that their every word will be reported.

In general all governors should make sure that they never discuss individual children or adults outside the governing body, if they have gained information about them as a result of being a governor.

If you want more information about becoming a governor please contact :

Governors’ Services

3rd Floor Laurence House

1 Catford Road SE6 4RU

Tel: 020 8314 8313

Fax: 020 8314 3050

Email: governors.services@lewisham.gov.uk

GOVERNING BODY STRUCTURE 22/23

Reconstituted: 04/03/2015

12 governor places

• Headteacher 1
• Staff 1
• Appointed by the London Borough of Lewisham 1
• Elected parents of pupils attending the school 2
• Foundation 7

COMMITTEE STRUCTURE

• Strategic
• Finance and personnel
• Curriculum and Achievement
• Children Family and Community
• Admissions
• Premises

Pupil Discipline Committee / Staff Discipline Committee / Staff Discipline Appeal Committee / Pay Appeal Committee / Complaints Committee

These committees meet as and when required, with a minimum of three eligible governors to be drawn from a pool of all members of the Governing Body, subject to availability and with regard to any declared conflicts of interest. 

Clerk to the Governing Body:  Gail Hutcheon gail.hutcheon@lewisham.gov.uk

St Stephen’s C. of E. Primary School Governing Body 2022/23

Governors’ details (for each governor who has served at any point over the past 12 months)

 

FULL NAME	CATEGORY	APPOINTED BY	DATE OF APPT	TERM OF OFFICE (NO OF YEARS AND END DATE)		DATE RESIGNED	COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP	RESPONSIBILITIES	VOTING RIGHTS (if applicable))
Udachi Adeniyi	Staff	Staff Members	17/09/22	4	16/09/26		Faith	Mental Health/ PHSE/ RSE
Sandra Baiden	Foundation	PCC	22/01/20	4	21/01/24		Faith Finance and Personnel	Literacy Link
Michael Bailey	Foundation	ex officio		n/a	n/a		Children Family & Community Faith (Chair)	Vice Chair
Dwayne Edwards	Parent	Parent Body	14/12/22	4	13/12/26		Faith	EYFS
Tabitha Fyffe	Parent	Parent Body	30/11/19	4	29/11/23		Children Family & Communities	Safeguarding
Frances Holland	Headteacher	ex officio	01/09/08	n/a	n/a		*
Jean Hutchinson	Foundation	PCC	09/12/20	4	08/12/24	05/12/22
Ken Kitson	Foundation	SDBE	01/04/22	4	31/03/26		Finance and Personnel (Chair) Strategic	Vice Chair  Numeracy Link Data Link HT Appraiser
David Lloyd	Foundation	PCC	26/04/22	4	25/04/26	01/12/22
Irene Olaleye	Foundation	PCC	11/03/19	4	10/03/23		Children Family & Community Admissions	SEND Link Website Link
Colin Plant	Foundation	SDBE	10/12/21	4	09/12/25		Finance and Personnel	Treasurer Foundation Subjects Link
Philip Ratcliff	LA	Governing Body	16/10/18	4	15/10/22		Curriculum & Achievement (Chair) Premises (Chair) Strategic (Chair) Admissions (Chair) Children, Family & Community	Chair of Governors ICT Link Training Link Performance Management (Staff) Leadership

All governors are members of the Curriculum & Achievement committee.       * All committees except Children, Family and Community, and Faith Team

GOVERNORS’ ATTENDANCE AT MEETINGS 2021/22

✔ = present, A = apologies sent and accepted, --- = not applicable

 

Full Governing Body
	23/11/22	15/03/23	12/07/23
Ukachi Adeniyi	✔
Sandra Baiden	✔
Fr Michael Bailey	✔
Dwayne Edwards	---
Tabitha Fyffe	✔
Frances Holland	✔
Jean Hutchinson	A
Ken Kitson	✔
David Lloyd	A
Irene Olaleye	✔
Colin Plant	✔
Philip Ratcliff (Chair)	✔

 

Strategic Committee
	13/09/2022	10/01/2023	28/02/2023
Philip Ratcliff (Chair)	✔	✔	✔
Frances Holland (HT)	✔	✔	✔
Ken Kitson	✔	✔	✔
Fr Michael Bailey	✔	✔	✔

 

Finance and Personnel Committee
	01/11/2022	17/01/2023	07/03/2023
Ken Kitson (Chair)	✔	✔	✔
Frances Holland (HT)	✔	✔	✔
Sandra Baiden	✔	✔	✔
Shelagh Moosavi (adviser)	A	✔	✔
Colin Plant	✔	✔	✔

 

Curriculum and Achievement Committee
	SDP	Data
	12/10/2022	06/12/2022*
Ukachi Adeniyi	✔	A
Sandra Baiden	✔	---
Fr Michael Bailey	A	A
Dwayne Edwards	✔	---
Tabitha Fyffe	✔	A
Frances Holland	✔	✔
Jean Hutchinson	A	---
Ken Kitson	✔	---
David Lloyd	A	---
Irene Olaleye	✔	✔
Colin Plant	✔	A
Philip Ratcliff (Chair)	✔	✔

* Not quorate

Children Family and Community Committee
	09/11/2022 **	01/03/2023
Fr. Michael Bailey (Chair)		✔
Irene Olaleye		✔
Tabitha Fyffe		A
Laura Scallon (ex officio)		---
Philip Ratcliff		✔
Sandra Baiden		✔
Rochelle Kakad (ex officio)		✔

** No meeting due to lack of quorum

Admissions Committee ***
	21/02/2023
Philip Ratcliff (Chair)	✔
Frances Holland (HT)	✔
Irene Olaleye	✔
Sarah Tomkins (ex officio)	✔

*** Only meets once per year

Premises Committee
	29/11/2022	14/03/2023
Philip Ratcliff	✔	✔
Frances Holland	✔	✔
Claude Phillips (PO)	✔	✔

ST STEPHEN’S CE PRIMARY SCHOOL GOVERNING BODY

(Reconstituted 4 March 2015)

GOVERNING BODY MEMBERSHIP:                12 governors

CATEGORIES OF GOVERNOR:                       Headteacher

Staff (1)

LA Nominated (1)

Parent Elected (2)

Foundation (7)

 

CHAIR OF GOVERNORS:                                  Philip Ratcliff

CLERK TO GOVERNORS:                                 Gail Hutcheon

STANDING COMMITTEES:                                Strategic

Finance and Personnel

Curriculum and Achievement

Children Family and Community

Admissions

Premises

STATUTORY COMMITTEES:                           

Statutory Committees include the Pupil Discipline, Staff Discipline, Pay Appeals and Parent Complaints. These committees meet as and when required, with a minimum of three eligible governors to be drawn from a pool of all members of the Governing Body subject to availability and with regard to any declared conflicts of interest.

Governors’ details 2021 - 22

FULL NAME	CATEGORY	APPOINTED BY	DATE OF APPT	TERM OF OFFICE (NO OF YEARS AND END DATE)		COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP	RESPONSIBILITIES	VOTING RIGHTS (if applicable))
Udachi Adeniyi	Staff	Staff Members	17/09/18	4	16/09/22	Faith	Mental Health/ PHSE/ RSE
Sandra Baiden	Foundation	PCC	22/01/20	4	21/01/24	Faith Finance and Personnel	Literacy Link
Michael Bailey	Foundation	ex officio		n/a	n/a	Children Family & Community Faith (Chair)
Dwayne Edwards	Parent	Parent Body	30/10/18	4	29/10/22	Faith	EYFS
Tabitha Fyffe	Parent	Parent Body	30/11/19	4	29/11/23	Children Family & Communities	Safeguarding
Frances Holland	Headteacher	ex officio	01/09/08	n/a	n/a	*
Jean Hutchinson	Foundation	PCC	09/12/20	4	08/12/24
Ken Kitson	Foundation	SDBE	01/04/18	4	31/03/22	Finance and Personnel (Chair) Strategic	Vice Chair Numeracy Link Data Link HT Appraiser
Irene Olaleye	Foundation	PCC	11/03/19	4	10/03/23	Children Family & Community Admissions	SEND Link Website Link
Colin Plant	Foundation	SDBE	10/12/17	4	09/12/21	Finance and Personnel	Treasurer Foundation Subjects Link
Philip Ratcliff	LA	Governing Body	16/10/18	4	15/10/22	Curriculum & Achievement (Chair) Premises (Chair) Strategic (Chair) Admissions (Chair)	Chair of Governors ICT Link Training Link Performance Management (Staff) Leadership
Vacancy

All governors are members of the Curriculum & Achievement committee

* All committees except Children, Family and Community, and Faith Team

GOVERNORS’ ATTENDANCE AT MEETINGS 2020/21

ü = present, A = apologies sent and accepted, --- = not applicable

 

NAME
	18/11/20	17/03/21	30/06/21
Ukachi Adeniyi	✔	✔	✔
Sandra Baiden	✔	✔        _	✔   _
Fr Michael Bailey	---	✔	✔
Dwayne Edwards	---	✔	✔
Tabitha Fyffe	✔	✔	✔
Frances Holland	✔	✔	✔
Jean Hutchinson	Not yet appointed	✔	---
Ken Kitson	✔	✔	✔
Irene Olaleye	✔	✔	✔
Colin Plant	✔	✔	✔
Philip Ratcliff	✔	✔	✔
Ailsa Temple	✔	✔	---

Governors Register of Interests

As a school we are required to publish the register of interests for governors of our school on our website.

The following interests have been declared: Name of Governor	Relevant business interests	Nature of interest	Date Interest began	Any other educational establishments governed	Relationships with the school staff including spouses, partners and relatives
Philip Ratcliff	None	N/A	N/A	None	Wife: employee at school
Ken Kitson	None	N/A	N/A	None	Wife: employee at school

 

All other Governors have signed to state that they have no interest to declare.

• Lewisham School GovernorsMore information from the borough regarding school governance.