The Role of the Governing Body at St Peter’s Church of England Primary School.

The Governing Body of St Peter’s Church of England Primary School makes decisions which are in the best interests of the children. The role of governor is enormously rewarding. Not only do governors bring their own knowledge and skills to the role, but, in learning how schools are run, they often develop their understanding of leadership. The majority of employers appreciate this and are supportive of their staff taking on the responsibility. In addition, contributing to the growth and development of a school and seeing tangible improvements in the attainment and well- being of the children is a satisfying and important contribution to the local community.

The governing body is responsible for the conduct of the school and we aim to promote high standards of educational achievement. It is the school’s accountable body and as such:

• provides a strategic view of the school by establishing a vision and setting the purpose and aims of the school within an agreed policy framework. It appoints and appraises the Headteacher and agrees the school’s improvement plan.
• monitors and evaluates the work of the school by reviewing the performance of the headteacher, the effectiveness of the policy framework, progress towards targets, and the effectiveness of the school improvement strategy;
• signs off the self-evaluation process and responds to Ofsted reports as necessary. In addition it holds the headteacher to account for the performance of the school and ensures that parents are involved, consulted and informed as appropriate, with information to the community being made available as required.
• monitors the schools effectiveness through targeted committees which meet three times within the academic year. These committees are: Standards and Effectiveness Committee (SEC), Resources, Curriculum and Vision and Values.

In order to do this, governors need to gain knowledge of how their school operates through training, by attending meetings, and by getting to know their school community, for example through a visits to the school during the school day. Governors need to work together as a team under the leadership of the Chair of the Governing Body. There are different types of governor and so that staff, parents, pupils and members of the community can get to know governors each governor has provided a brief pen portrait detailed below.

Our Governors

My name is Louise Benney.  I am Chair of the Governing Body and a Foundation Governor at Chorley St Peters. I sit on the Resources Committee and am also Pupil Premium Governor - responsible for ensuring that the Pupil Premium funding is spent wisely and helps the children reach their potential. Over the years my children have attended St Peters so I am actively involved in school life, and I know quite a few of the parents and children across school. I enjoy being able to support the school that is shaping my children's lives for the future and as such I have volunteered as a school governor for a number of years both here and elsewhere. I work full time for Lancashire County Council and have experience of working with councillors, in change management and more recently as BSF Service Delivery Manager. Together I feel that my broad range of experience has equipped me well to help guide the school towards excellence. I have a passion for learning and strongly believe that children should be given the opportunity to pursue their dreams whether that be music, languages, sport or something entirely different. How do you know what you are good at unless you get the chance to try? I am very proud to say that St Peters provides those opportunities through lessons and it's range of clubs in and out of school. I am very proud to be part of St Peters, all it has achieved and all that I am confident it will go on to achieve.

My name is David Roberts and I'm a new foundation governor. I live local to the school and in fact am a St Peter's old boy having left many moons ago. My daughter used to attend the school.   Over the years I have seen the school grow and improve and I am very proud that I can be part of this ongoing development and use my skills and experience to continue moving the school forward.  Over my working life I've taken on various roles and through theses experiences will bring a different skill set to compliment the other governors in achieving our aims. I am also an active member of the fund raising committee of St Peter's Church.

My name is Hannah Wilkes, and I’m proud to serve as the staff governor. I’ve been part of the St Peter’s family since 2014, and during that time I’ve had the joy of teaching EYFS,KS1 and KS2. I am currently the class teacher in Hawthorn class. I also lead Computing and E-Safety in school and help keep our school website up to date.

St Peter’s has been such a special place for me. I’ve loved watching the school grow, building relationships with children and families, and being part of a supportive and caring team. I live in Leyland with my son, Oliver, who keeps life busy and fun. Outside of school, I enjoy staying active — you’ll usually find me at the gym or out walking my dog as we explore new paths and adventures in our local area.

My name is Karen Stephens.  I am a Foundation Governor at Chorley St Peters. I sit on the Resources Committee and am also Pupil Premium Governor - responsible for ensuring that the Pupil Premium funding is spent wisely and helps the children reach their potential. I am also the governor responsible for the teaching of History and Behaviour.

I am a retired headteacher of Buckshaw Primary School and Children’s Centre in Chorley, so know the town and your community very well. I am also a governor at the Federation of Duke Street and Highfield Maintained Nursery Schools, where I am Vice Chair of Governors, and have responsibilities for Safeguarding and Health and Safety. I have also been a Chair for Governors at Woodlea Junior School in Leyland for 7 years. I have a wealth of experience and strongly believe that I should now give something back, so I was very pleased to be asked to be on your Governing Board.

My daughter Louise is one of your Yr 6 teachers and my grandchildren have been pupils at St. Peters throughout their primary lives. I share Louise’s passion for Sport and PE, drama and music, and take great pride from being a proud grandparent at many of your school events. St. Peters provides a rich, well planned curriculum but adds to this with additional wonderful and varied opportunities for our children to show off their skills and attributes, and to learn new skills.

I am very proud to be part of St Peters, and I am confident I can do my part in assisting Rachel, Jane and their wonderful staff in achieving even more.