Our Governing Body

Governors work closely with headteachers, school staff and representatives from the local authority (LA).

Governor Committee Structure

Name	Representing	Term of Office	Committee	Responsibilities	Register of Interests	Relationship to Staff
Mrs Jill Young (Chair)	Co-opted	01/10/2019 - 30/09/2023	Appeals Finance & Premises First / Pay Review Headteachers Performance Pupil Discipline		none	none
Ms K Salisbury	Co-opted	20/09/2021 - 19/09/2025	Curriculum & Standards		none	none
Rev. Eileen Harrop	Foundation	07/12/2021- ongoing	First / Pay Review	RE	none	none
Mrs N Hull	Foundation	11/10/20121 - 10/10/2025	Curriculum & Standards		none	none
Mrs Christine Riley	Headteacher	01.09.2017 - ongoing	Curriculum & Standards Finance & Premises	Headteacher	none	none
Mr Steven White	Parent	22/12/2017 - 26/01/2026	Appeals Curriculum & Standards Finance & Premises First / Pay Review Headteachers Performance Pupil Discipline		none	none
Mr B Divers	Parent	22/03/2021 - 21/03/2025	Curriculum & Standards Finance & Premises	Safeguarding/SEND	none	none
Mrs Joanne Kidd	Staff	02/0323 - 01/03/27	Curriculum & Standards		none	none
Dr John Broderick	Co-opted	02/11/2022 - 01/11/2025			none	none

Statutory Guidance for Governing Bodies

Gainford Church of England Primary and Pre-School, adhere to the statutory guidance from the Department for 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. For further information please view or download the full document below.

The Constitution of Governing Bodies of Maintained Schools (2017)

How To Become A School Governor

If you require further information on the roles and responsibilities of School Governors or you are interested in becoming one, visit the Durham County Council website School Governor section.

Governor Attendance

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

KEY
✓ – Attended meeting
A/A – Apologies sent and accepted by meeting
N – Did not attend
n/a – Not a member of the committee

Attendance 2022 -2023

Name	First Pay Review 02/11/2022	HT Performance Review 06/12/2022	Full Governing Body 02/11/2022	Finance & Premises 01/12/2022	Curriculum 24/11/2022	Finance & Premises 15/03/2023	Full Governing Body 23/03/2023
Mrs Jill Young	✓	✓	✓			✓	✓
Dr John Broderick						✓
Mrs K Salisbury			A/A		✓		✓
Rev. Eileen Harrop	A/A		A/A				A/A
Mrs N Hull			✓		✓
Mrs Christine Riley	✓		✓	✓	✓	✓	✓
Mrs Steven White	✓	✓	✓		A/A	✓	A/A
Mrs B Divers			✓		✓
Mrs Joanne Kidd			✓		✓		✓

Archived Attendance
You can also view previous years attendance on our website.

Committee Terms of Reference

The Finance & Premises Committee

Terms of Reference:

In conjunction with the Headteacher to draft the first formal budget plan of the financial year, for approval by the full Governing Body.
To establish and maintain an up to date 3 year financial plan.
To monitor income and expenditure, including virement decisions, significant anomalies from the anticipated position and report termly to the Governing Body.
To ensure the school operates within the financial regulations of the County Council and the requirements of the DfE Schools Financial Value Standard.
To monitor expenditure of all voluntary funds kept on behalf of the Governing Body.
To annually review charges and remissions policies and expenses policies.
To make decisions in respect of service level agreements.
To make decisions on expenditure following recommendations from other committees.
To prepare financial statements for inclusion in any reports to parents.
To ensure as far as is practical that any Health and Safety (H&S) issues are appropriately funded in accordance with priorities.
Ensure that adequate provision is made to make the building safe and secure.
Ensure that buildings and learning environment are maintained and fit for purpose.
Oversee the use of premises by outside users.
Establish and keep under review an asset management / building development plan.
Establish and keep under review an Accessibility Plan.

Meetings: termly, or each half term, planned to coincide with Oracle.
Disqualifications: when there may be a conflict of interest; a fair hearing is required; or a pecuniary interest.

Virement Limits		Expenditure Limits
Limit set for Headteacher without prior written approval of Chair or Governing Body	£2,500	Any items of expenditure up to	£5,000
Limit set for Headteacher with approval from Chair of Governors	£2,501 – £5,000	Above this limit if item was previously notified to the Governing Body. Prior Governing Body approval to be sought outside of this limit.
Prior Governing Body approval to be sought outside of this limit.

NB Any goods/services purchased and works to be carried out are subject to Durham County Council Contract Procedure Rules (January 2014) for quotations

First / Pay Review Committee

Terms of Reference:

To act in accordance with the Teacher’s Pay Policy adopted by the Governing Body.
To report to the Finance Committee on Pay Review-related expenditure.
To make any decisions under the personnel procedures adopted by the Governing Body, e.g. disciplinary, grievance, ill health, capability etc where the Headteacher is the subject of the action, after delegation to the Chair.
To make any decisions relating to a member of staff (other than the Headteacher) under the Personnel procedures adopted by the Governing Body, after delegation to the Headteacher.
Reducing the Staffing.

Delegation to the Headteacher

Up to and including First Written Warning.

Meetings: as required.
Disqualifications: when there may be a conflict of interest; a fair hearing is required; or a pecuniary interest. Staff members cannot take part in any salary decisions.

Appeals Committee

Terms of Reference:

To consider any appeal against a decision to dismiss a member of staff made by the First/Pay Review Committee.
To consider any appeal against a decision under the personnel procedures adopted by the Governing Body (e.g. disciplinary, pay review, capability etc).
To consider any appeal against selection for redundancy.

Personnel & Discipline Committee

Terms of Reference:

Act as Pupil Discipline Committee for Permanent / Fixed Term exclusions.
Complaints.
To carry out an annual review of the staffing structure in consultation with the Headteacher and the Finance Committee.
To oversee the appointment procedure for all staff.
To establish and review a performance management policy for all staff.
To keep under review work/life balance, working conditions and well being, including the monitoring of absence.
To make recommendations to the Finance Committee on Personnel-related expenditure.

Meetings: Termly
Disqualifications: when there may be a conflict of interest; a fair hearing is required; or a pecuniary interest.

Delegation to the Headteacher
Appointments:

the Headteacher is delegated responsibility for all appointments outside the Leadership Group

Dismissals
all dismissals remain with the Committee Structure.

Curriculum Committee

Terms of Reference:

Set targets for achievement at KS1 and KS2. Monitor the school’s performance against these targets.
Ensuring that PE is taught as part of the school curriculum and monitoring the quality and adequacy of provision.
Promoting an ethos that encourages participation in competitive sport both within the school and between schools.
Monitoring nutritional standards within the school to include school meals, snack provision and food available during wrap-around provision.
Ensure that the school’s policy on SEN is consistent with the code of practice and Equalities Act and that arrangements are made to ensure the policy is monitored and reviewed regularly.
Consider developing a whole school drugs policy.
Decide whether or not to provide sex and relationships education and consult parents. Agree the content and organisation of the school’s programme of sex and relationship education and notify parents of their right to withdraw their child.
Monitor pupils’ attitudes, values and how other personal qualities are developed within the school through the provision of RE and PHSCE and that parents are told of their right to withdraw their child.
Ensure the effective integration of children with SEN.
Consider the provision of sex and drugs education.
Ensure the school is fulfilling its responsibilities regarding child protection and the requirements of “Working Together to Safeguard Children”.
Anti-Bullying and Behaviour Policies.
Conduct the school with a view to promoting high standards of education achievement.
Monitor the achievement of disadvantaged groups and the impact of policies on race, SEN, Looked After Children and Disability on pupils, parents and communities.
Contribute to the development and monitoring of the School Improvement Plan and the SEF.
Ensure that every child receives the full statutory curriculum that the school must provide.
Ensure that a report on each pupil’s educational achievements is forwarded to their parents/ guardians annually.
Set attendance targets and monitor the school’s performance against these targets.
Ensure the school has a curriculum policy that meets pupils’ needs.
Ensure the school has policies on Race and Disability Discrimination.
In general terms, monitor teaching and learning and the progress of pupils.
Monitor the provision of extra-curricular activities including overnight stays provided to encourage recreation and social development.
Ensure the quality of education, teaching and learning.
Plan to raise standards of achievement and monitor the school’s performance.
Consider out-of-hours provision (wrap around provision, study support, extended schools).
Ensure the school works well with its community, parents and other schools.
Ensure the school meets the requirements of the SEN and relevant disability legislation.
Ensure the school works effectively with other agencies to support vulnerable children and their families.

Meetings: At least termly.

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