Information and remit of Springbank Primary School Governing Board

In 2015 we amended our instrument of government (which sets out the size and composition of our Governing Board) to allow us to develop a highly skilled and effective Governing Board consisting of the following:

2 Parent governors (who are elected by parents and carers of children at the school). Both parent governors has or has had parental responsibility for, or cares or has cared for, a child or young person under the age of 19. The vacancy for these posts was advertised, and elections held. The parent governors, both have local community and personal skills and experience that contributes to effective governance, and the success of the school. They may continue to hold their position until the end of their term of office, even if their child leaves the school.

3 Co-opted governors (who are appointed by the Governing Board); The Co-opted governors have been appointed by the Governing Board because they have the skills required to contribute to the effective governance and success of the school - Personnel; Financial; Local Community and Business skills and experience.

1 Local Authority governor (who is nominated by the Local Authority and appointed by the Governing Board); The Local Authority governor was appointed by the Governing Board based on skills and experience in the local community and as a councillor.

1 Staff governor (who is elected by the staff team at the school). The staff governor was elected in accordance with Schedule 2, by persons who are employed by the Local Authority under a contract of employment to work at the school. She was employed under contract at the school at the time of election. As an employee, the staff governor, in partnership with the staff team, gives as an extra mechanism for staff views to be included in school evaluation and improvement.

The Head teacher (who has opted to be a full member of the Governing Board). The Head teacher has opted to be a full member of the Governing Board as she sees governance as an integral and valued part of the leadership of the school. She brings to the Governing Board a unique insight into the activities of the school and a full understanding of the school’s ethos and culture as well as a close, professional knowledge of its strengths and weaknesses.

7 Associate members (3 adults and 4 children) who have been appointed based on their skills and experience, meaning they are not a full member of the full governing body, but have the right to attend Governing Board meetings and serve on committees. They may however be excluded where the business being considered concerns a member of school staff or an individual pupil. They are not recorded in the instrument of government. The Governing Board can give limited voting rights to associate members on committees at the time of appointment. Associate members cannot be given voting rights if they have not reached the age of 18 at the time of their appointment.

As well as attending formal governing board meetings, governors all play an active but focused role within school and attend appropriate and bespoke governor training sessions on various educational issues appropriate to their role. In 2016-17 the Governing Board are trialing the effectiveness of on-line training.

The Governing Board are also responsible for ensuring the school policies are reviewed and monitored regularly, and the school remains compliant with the relevant regulations/legislation and statutory duties. Mr Howard is the governor policy lead.

Most importantly, we each have particular monitoring roles within the school. These roles are selected based upon individual interests, key strengths and skills in specific areas of the curriculum or business aspects of the school.

Below you will find a full list of our current Governing Body members, with details of their term of office, committees on which they serve and the link governor key responsibilities they have been allocated. 

Governor minutes are available for parents/carers. Please make an appontment if you would like to view them. 

Information about Springbank Primary governors

Name of the Chair of Governing Board: Claire Carroll

Chair of the Finance Monitoring Committee: Bill Howard

Chair of the Personnel Committee: Caroline Cantwell

Chair of the Strategic Business Committee: Claire Carroll

Chair of children’s committee: Joanna Walton

If you would like to make contact with a member of the Governing Body, please leave a message at the school office and we will get back to you. 

Here is some information about our governors: