“Governors know the school well and visit frequently to check on how the school is doing.”

(Ofsted Report December 2019)

Governors' Information and Duties

Please find below details of how our Governing body is structured, including the names, categories, responsibilities and terms of appointment for each Governor.

All schools in England have a Governing Body which is responsible for overseeing the strategic decisions of the school. The members of the Governing Board come from all areas of the school, including teachers, support staff, parents, members of the local community and those appointed by the Local Authority.  The clerk to the Governors attends meetings and ensures that minutes, records and papers of the Governing Board are properly recorded and maintained.

The first thing to say about being a Governor is that whilst at times it can be challenging and consuming, it is also tremendously rewarding and fulfilling. The Governing body works in close partnership with the Headteacher, staff and Local Authority. Whilst the Headteacher is, of course, responsible for the day to day running of the school, the Governors are involved with the strategic planning including, staffing, pastoral and buildings and finance. School Governors provide strategic leadership and accountability in schools.

The role of the governing body is a strategic one, its key functions are to:

• Jointly set the aims and objectives for the school
• Engage in the development of policies for achieving those aims and objectives
• Set the targets for achieving those aims and objectives
• Monitor and evaluate the progress the school is making towards achievement of its aims and objectives
• Be a source of challenge and support to the Headteacher (a critical friend)
• Make decisions about the school’s budget and staffing requirements.
• Encourage members of the Governing Body to take on roles and responsibilities and training to broaden understanding and develop succession planning

The real benefit of being a School Governor is it allows you to give something back to the local community whilst at the same time knowing that in some way you have helped make a difference.

If you would like to be part of the Thomlinson Junior School Governing Body please enquire by contacting our Clerk, Mrs Karen Myers, on 016973 42432 or by email at sbm@thomlinson.cumbria.sch.uk

Thomlinson Junior School  Governors  - 2024-2025

The Governing Body is currently made up as follows:

Local Authority Governor	1
Parent Governors	2
Co-opted Governors	7
Associate Members	0
Staff Governors	1
Head Teacher	1

Thomlinson Junior School has up to five full governing body meetings per school year. All governors are invited to attend these meetings. There are three committees which meet at least once per term – Curriculum, Standards & Pupil Welfare, Health & Safety plus Finance, Staffing & Premises.

 

Designation and Committee Responsibilities	Date of Appointment	Re-election Date Due
Headteacher Dawn Maxwell All Committees
Staff Vacancy Curriculum, Standards & Pupil Welfare
Local Authority Amanda Studholme Health & Safety	9 May 2023	9 May 2027
Co-opted Christopher Scott (Vice-Chair) Finance & Staffing Head’s Performance Management Safeguarding & Child Protection	14 September 2021	14 September 2025
Co-opted Lyn Poole Premises and Health & Safety Head’s Performance Management Pupil Voice	10 March 2023	10 March 2027
Co-opted David Ferriby  (Chair) Curriculum, Standards & Pupil Welfare Finance & Staffing Head’s Performance Management Pupil Voice	10 March 2023	10 March 2027
Co-opted Laura Vailionis Curriculum, Standards & Pupil Welfare Finance & Staffing Pupil Premium	6 May 2022	6 May 2026
Co-opted Fiona Hardy Curriculum, Standards & Pupil Welfare	14 September 2021	14 September 2025
Parent (Appointed by Governing Body) Michelle Marshall Finance & Staffing Premises and Health & Safety	22 November 2022	22 November 2026
Parent Elizabeth Gittins Finance & Staffing Premises and Health & Safety Pupil Voice	8 October 2021	8 October 2025
Co-opted Emma Budworth Curriculum SEND	13 September 2022	13 September 2026
Co-opted Martin Cockroft Curriculum, Standards & Pupil Welfare Premises and Health & Safety Complaints Review	10 February 2025	10 February 2029
Associate Member
Clerk to Governors Karen Myers	September 2010