The Role of Governors
Governors are the strategic leaders of our school and have a vital role to play in ensuring every child gets the best possible education. Governing bodies have a strong focus on three core strategic functions:
- Ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction
- Holding the head teacher to account for the educational performance of the school and its pupils
- Overseeing the financial performance of the school and making sure its money is well spent.
Setting Strategic Direction
Governing bodies are the key strategic decision making body of every school. It is their role to set the schools strategic framework and to ensure all statutory duties are met.
The governing body should ensure that the school has a medium and long-term vision for its future. The governing body should also ensure that there is a robust strategy in place for achieving its vision. This strategy should address the fundamental questions of where we are now, where do we want to be and how we are going to get there.
The governing body should set and safeguard a school ethos of high expectations of everyone in the school community. This includes high expectations for the behaviour, progress and attainment of all pupils in the school and for the conduct and professionalism of both staff and governors.
Holding the Head Teacher to Account
Governing bodies should work to support and strengthen the leadership of the head teacher and hold them to account for the day to day running of the school, including the performance management of teachers. Governing bodies should play a strategic role and avoid routine involvement in operational matters. It should focus strongly on holding the head teacher to account for exercising their professional judgement in these matters and of all other duties.
Effective governing bodies hold their head teacher and other senior leaders to account for improving school performance by asking the right questions. This might include asking:
- Which groups of pupils are the highest and lowest performing and why?
- How do you plan to address gaps between groups of children to ensure all groups are making good or rapid progress?
- What is the quality of teaching across the school? How do you support teachers to improve their skills and knowledge so that standards continue to rise?
- Is this a happy school with a positive learning culture? How do you know?
- It is through our standards committee meetings that we provide governors with a wide range of data and other evidence to enable them to fully explore and question how we are performing as a school.
Overseeing the Financial Performance of the School
Governing bodies are responsible for making sure their schools money is well spent. They should do this by making sure they have at least one governor with specific skills and experience of financial matters, and by asking questions such as:
- Are we allocating our resources in line with our strategic priorities?
- Are we making full use of all our assets and efficient use of all our financial resources?
- How do we compare with similar schools?
- How can we get better value for money from our budget?
Mr Keith Gribbin
Co-chair of Governors PCC Foundation Governor
Start date 10.3.20
I have been in the role of governor for Hugh Joicey since 2020 firstly as a parent governor, then onto foundation governor and I currently serve as Co-Chair of Governors.
Ford & Etal Estates is a treasure for Northumberland and the learning environment Hugh Joicey can provide within it. All three of my children have attended Hugh Joicey and it brings me great sense of pride to support the school for future generations.
I am a Civil Servant working for the Register of Scotland for over 20 years and my hobbies include walking the beautiful beaches, woods and hills of Northumberland.
Keith is part of the Resources Committee and Headteacher Appraisal Committee.
Ms Adele Pearson-Atkinson
Co-chair of Governors
Start date 8.1.19
My husband and I moved to the area in 2018 and wanted to get involved in the fantastic local community. When the ‘Fourum’ magazine popped through our door a couple of weeks after we moved in with an advert for school Governors I got straight in touch with the school and have never looked back. I’ve been involved as a Governor since January 2019 and I love the ‘family’ feel we have as a small rural first school and the fantastic grounds and facilities we are blessed with.
I have been a school leader for the past 14 years, having been a teacher for the past 20 years. My day job involves lots of different aspects, I’m a Co-Head of a SEND school in County Durham as well as being Director of Academy Improvement of a Multi-Academy Trust of five SEND schools in North Yorkshire and the North East Region. I carry out work for the Department of Education and other advisory bodies as well as being the System Leader for Education for the NHS North East and North Cumbria Child Health and Wellbeing Network. I’m passionate about the power of community and collaboration to improve outcomes for children and young people.
Adele is our Governor for Special Needs and Pupil Premium. She sits on the Curriculum committee.
Mrs Anne Morning
Start date 1.9.17.
I am proud to be the staff governor; having worked at Hugh Joicey First School since January 2004. Starting as School Cook then moving to take on the Finance Officer position in 2010.
Previous to working in school, I had 18 years experience working in a bank in Edinburgh and London.
When not working, my hobbies include travel, golf and football.
I love being part of the nurturing family environment of Hugh Joicey School.
Anne is part of the Resources Committee (Finance).
Mr David Speakman
Parent Governor
Start Date March 2023
My name is David Speakman and I became a Parent Governor at Hugh Joicey in February 2023. I'm a father to two lovely children, both of whom are lucky and happy to attend our school.
My professional experience is in project and facilities management in both the education and defence sectors, and I now run my own business focusing on providing renewable energy solutions to the automotive industry.
In my spare time I enjoy keeping fit and am a keen member of the Cheviot Trail Runners.
I am grateful to have the opportunity to contribute to the school community, and supporting the school leadership in whatever capacity I can.
David is part of our Resources Committee.
Mrs Margaret Murray
DBE Foundation Governor
Start date 4.10.19
I live and work at Kentstone Farm near Lowick. I very much enjoy the outside lifestyle which is why I am so pleased that the children at Ford have the privilege of the Forest School.
I am grateful to be still involved with the School now that my children have moved on. I am also still on the PTA helping to raise vital funds for the School.
When I am not busy on the farm I seem to spend my time at various sporting events with my two children.
Margaret is part of the Curriculum Committee and Head Teacher Appraisal.
Mr Rupert Wailes-Fairbairn
Vice Chair of Governors PCC Foundation
Start date 22.11.12
I live and farm at South Berrington and am particularly interested in the natural environment. We completed the conversion to organic in 2024 and it is wonderful to see how the soil and nature is responding. My hobbies are working dogs and horse riding.
Ford School is located in a unique Heritage area in Northumberland, close to the Church of St Michael and All Angels. I wanted to become a Foundation Governor and be part of the School that binds the community together.
I am a Head of Rural at Lycetts Insurance Brokers.
Rupert is part of the Resources Committee and the Curriculum Committee.
Rev Charlotte Osborn
Ex-officio
Start Date 10.2.21
I am Rector of Ford and Etal and Foundation Governor Ex Officio since 2021. Additionally, I am Vicar of Lowick and Kyloe with Ancroft and Ex Officio Governor of Lowick and Holy Island Schools
I love exploring the coast and countryside of north Northumberland on foot and by bicycle. I’m a keen but ageing squash player and so have recently taken up pickleball.
As a former teacher, to be connected with Hugh Joicey First School brings me great joy.
Charlotte is part of our Curriculum Committee and Admissions Committee.
Charlotte is the link Governor for RE & Collective Worship.
Mr Matthew Lockie
Parent Governor
Start Date March 2023
Curriculum Committee
Governor Pecuniary Interests and Declaration of Interests
The Governing Body of our school is committed to maintaining the highest standards of transparency, integrity and accountability.
None of the current governors hold any pecuniary (financial) interests in the school.
At the start of every full governing body meeting and committee meeting, governors are asked to declare any interests relating to the agenda items being discussed. This ensures that all decisions are made fairly and in the best interests of the school and its pupils.
In line with statutory governance procedures:
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All governors complete an annual declaration of interests form.
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A register of interests is maintained and regularly reviewed.
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Any governor with a declared interest in a particular item must withdraw from the discussion and decision-making process for that item.
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The declaration and any withdrawal are formally recorded in the meeting minutes.
Examples of interests that must be declared include:
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Employment or consultancy work with a company providing services to the school
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Financial interests in organisations that may tender for school contracts
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Close family relationships with members of staff
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Trusteeship or governance roles in related organisations
These procedures ensure openness, prevent conflicts of interest, and protect the integrity of the governing body’s decision-making.
If you would like further information regarding the Governing Body’s register of interests, please contact the school office.
