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Gifford Primary

Governors

The Role of the Governing Body

Governing Body Role

  1. Strategic

The Governing Body sets the general direction of the school, looking at how it should best develop. This is done by reviewing and agreeing policies, targets and priorities and monitoring and reviewing aims and objectives.

  1. Critical Friend

The Governing Body must work closely with the Head Teacher and create a clear understanding of the challenges faced in managing a school. The Governing Body must feel able to question and challenge. 

  1. Accountability

A school is a business and its stakeholders are the pupils. The Governing Body must have a professional attitude and use its collective skills to benefit the pupils. It must gather views, ask questions and decide what is best for the school. The Governing Body is answerable to parents and the wider community. The Governing Body is collectively responsible for setting the strategic direction of the school and for monitoring the schools performance.

Types of Governors

  • Staff Governors - elected by teaching and support staff 
  • Parent Governors - elected by parents
  • Co-opted Governors - members of local community elected by governors
  • Local Authority Governors - nominated by the Ealing Council political parties.

The Overall Responsibilities of the Governing Body 

  • Help to shape the vision, ethos and direction of the school
  • Ensure the school operates with a view to promoting high standards of educational achievement
  • Challenge and support the school so that weaknesses are tackled decisively and statutory responsibilities are met
  • Hold the Leadership Team to account for the performance of the school
  • Ensure sound management of resources including finance, human resources and infrastructure
  • Ensure statutory policies and documents are in place and regularly reviewed, and that they are effective in meeting their desired aims
  • Act as a good employer
  • Fulfil its duty of care to staff, students, parents and others associated with the school

The Overall Responsibilities of the Committees 

In addition to the Full Governing Body which normally meets 4 times a year we also have 2 active committees which each meet 3 times a year and each Governor would be expected to join at least one of these committees.

  • Resources Committee
  • Teaching and Learning Committee

Want To Find Out More?

If you have any questions that are not answered in this area of the website, or if you would like to register your interest in becoming a Governor, then you can contact:

Sarah Wilson, Headteacher via the school office

Philip Young, Chair of Governors via the school office

Mr Alan O’Neill, Clerk to the Governing Body, Mobile: 07879 848574,  email: alan.oneill@talk21.com 

School Governance Unit, 020 8825 5444

 

Meet the Governors 

Click on the image for information on each governor.

  • Sarah Wilson
    Head Teacher

    Sarah Wilson

    Committees: Teaching & Learning, Resources

    Date of appointment: 01/09/2018

    Term of Office ends: N/A

    Appointed by: Governing Body

    Business Interest: Head Teacher, Gifford Primary School

    Other Governance roles: Governor: Castlebar Special School

  • Philip Young
    Chair of Governors

    Philip Young

    Committee: Resources

    Date of Appointment: 01/01/2013

    Term of office ends: 31/12/2021

    Appointed by: Governing board

  • Joyce Parker
    Safeguarding Governor

    Joyce Parker

    Committee: Teaching & Learning

    Date of appointment: 15/05/2016

    Term of office ends: 14/05/2020

    Appointed by: Governing board

    Business interests: London Borough of Ealing: Prevent

  • Hazel Ware
    Co-opted Governor

    Hazel Ware

    Date of Appointment: 01/01/2013

    Term of office ends: 31/12/2021

    Appointed by: Governing body

  • Alex Robinson
    Staff Governor

    Alex Robinson

    Committee: Teaching & Learning

    Date of Appointment: 24/01/2015

    Term of Office ends: 05/12/2019

    Appointed by: Governing board

    Business Interests: Assistant Head, Gifford Primary

  • Nicola Addison
    Staff Governor

    Nicola Addison

    Committee: Teaching & Learning

    Date of appointment: 22/01/2018

    Term of office ends: 21/01/2022

    Appointed by: Staff Governor

    Business interests: Staff Gifford Primary School

  • Mike Cassidy
    Co-opted Governor

    Mike Cassidy

    Committee: Resources

    Date of appointment: 23/02/2016

    Term of office ends: 22/02/2020

    Appointed by: Governing Board

  • Sonia Rayment
    Parent Governor

    Sonia Rayment

    Committee: Teaching & Learning

    Date of appointment: 27/02/2016

    Term of office ends: 26/02/2020

    Appointed by: Parent Governor

  • James Healey
    Co-opted Governor

    James Healey

    Committee:?Teaching & Learning

    Date of appointment: 15/10/2017

    Term of office ends: 14/10/2021

    Appointed by: Governing board

  • Zac McAllister
    Co-opted Governor

    Zac McAllister

    Committee: Resources

    Date of appointment: 15/05/2018

    Term of Office ends: 14/05/2022

    Appointed by: Governing body

  • Cathie Wallace
    LA Governor

    Cathie Wallace

    Date of appointment: 09/03/2019

    Term of Office ends: 08/03/2023

    Appointed by: Governing board

  • Wendy Muhammad
    Parent Governor

    Wendy Muhammad

    Committee: Teaching and Learning

    Date of appointment: 26/10/2015

    Term of office ends: 25/10/2019

    Appointed by: Parent Governor

  • Corrina Ralph
    Co-opted Governor

    Corrina Ralph

    Committee:?

    Date of appointment: 09/03/2019

    Term of office ends: 08/03/2023

    Appointed by: Governing board

    Other governance roles: Vice Chair of Governors Woodlands Academy

  • Jessica Maye
    Co-opted Governor

    Jessica Maye

    Date of appointment: 27/07/2019

    Term of office ends:?26/07/2023

    Appointed by: Governing Board

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