Governors
Governing Body Mission Statement
- We work with the school to ensure an effective strategic direction whilst fulfilling all of our statutory obligations.
- We help to provide a school where a well-rounded, creative and inspiring education is accessible to all pupils.
- We continually develop the school through forward thinking, shared ambition and a passion to create an amazing place to learn.
Who Are School Governors
Governors are the people who sit on the board that sets the strategic vision of a school, holds the Headteacher to account for its educational performance and makes sure its financial resources are well spent. They use their skills and experience to govern in the best interests of pupils leaving the day to day running of the school to the Headteacher. They set priorities and make strategic decisions in areas such as planning, budgeting, project management, human resources, policy development, health and safety, marketing and change management. Schools are increasingly autonomous and in need of strong governance.
The Role of the Governing Body
White Mere’s Governing Body has a strategic role in the development of the school but does not become involved in the day-to-day management issues – that is the role of the Headteacher.
We are here to:
- Provide a strategic view – help to set and maintain the broad framework within which the Headteacher and staff should run the school
- Act as a critical friend – provide the Headteacher with support and offer advice and information but also to provide some challenge. The governing body is there to monitor and evaluate the school’s effectiveness and governors should therefore be prepared to ask challenging questions
- To ensure accountability – the Headteacher and staff report to the governing body on the school’s performance. In turn the governing body is accountable to all stakeholders on the school’s overall performance.
Governing Body Committee Structure (September 2024)
Governing Body Committee Structure (September 2023-August 2024)
| Name | Governor Type | Term of Office Starts/Expires | Body Appointed/Elected by | Committees | Relevant Pecuniary Interests* | Lead Areas and Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| David Tait | Co-opted Governor (Chair) | 21/03/23 to 20/03/27 | Governing Body |
|
None |
|
| Rebecca Foote | Co-opted Governor (Vice Chair) | 21/06/22 to 20/06/26 | Governing Body |
|
None |
|
| John Archer | Acting Headteacher | 22/03/22 to N/A | Governing Body |
|
None
|
|
| Victoria Bruce | Co-opted Governor | 17/04/23 to 16/04/27 | Governing Body |
|
None | |
| Dominic Blackburn | Staff Governor | 07/10/22 to 06/10/26 | Staff – Elected | None | ||
| Cllr Linda Green | Co-opted Governor | 02/02/22 to 01/02/26 | Governing Body |
|
None |
|
| Cllr Stuart Green | Local Authority Governor | 02/02/22 to 01/02/26 | Governing Body (from LA nomination) |
|
None | |
| Jackie Monte | Co-opted Governor | 21/06/22 to 20/06/26 | Governing Body |
|
None |
|
| Alan Pitchers | Co-opted Governor | 28/03/22 to 27/03/26 | Governing Body |
|
None |
|
| Joanne Reavey | Co-opted Governor | 02/02/22 to 01/02/26 | Governing Body |
|
None |
|
| Mrs Angela Fraser | Parent Governor | 16/06/23 to 15/06/27 | Parents – Elected | None |
|
|
| Mr Paul Oley | Parent Governor | 16/06/23 to 15/06/27 | Parents – Elected | None |
*as recorded in register of interests at Governing Body meeting on 03/02/2022
**In addition to the Headteacher, any governor may attend if requested.
Record of Governors Attendance (Sept 2022-Aug 2023)
| Name | Full Governing Body | Curriculum and Pupils/Monitoring | Finance, Staffing & Pay | Resources |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Victoria Bruce | 4/4 | 0/1 | 1/1 | 1/2 |
| Rebecca Foote | 3/4 | 1/1 | 1/1 | 2/2 |
| Cllr Linda Green | 2/4 | 0/1 | 0/1 | 1/2 |
| Jackie Monte | 3/4 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Alan Pitchers | 3/4 | 1/1 | N/A | N/A |
| Joanne Reavey | 2/4 | N/A | 1/1 | 2/2 |
| David Tait | 4/4 | N/A | 1/1 | 2/2 |
| John Archer | 4/4 | 1/1 | 1/1 | 1/2 |
| Cllr Stuart Green | 4/4 | 0/1 | N/A | N/A |
| Angela Fraser (Appointed 16 June 2023) | 1/1 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Paul Oley (Appointed 16 June 2023) | 1/1 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Dominic Blackburn (Appointed 7 Oct 2022) | 1/4 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Margaret Rich (End date 22 May 2023) | 2/3 | 1/1 | N/A | N/A |
How to Become a School Governor
If you’d like to learn more about the roles and responsibilities of School Governors or you are interested in becoming one, please visit the Gateshead Governors website. Alternatively, you can speak to the Headteacher or the Chair of Governors who will be able to provide further information.
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How to Contact the Governing Body
To contact the Governing Body, please send any correspondence directly to the school marked for the attention of the Chair of Governors.