Governors play a key role in the life of Laurel Avenue Community Primary School.
Our Governing Body has three core functions which are:
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Ensuring the clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction of the school
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Holding the leadership of the school to account for the educational performance of the school and its children
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Overseeing the financial performance of the school and making sure that money is well spent
meet our governors
The work of Laurel Avenue’s governors is carried out through meetings of the full governing body and its two committees:
Finance and Premises Committee. Responsible for setting and monitoring the budget for the school, and overseeing the financial management of the school., Premises and Personnel; and Curriculum Committee, which deals with pupil matters, curriculum and attainment.
Curriculum and Standards Committee. Responsible for reviewing the curriculum related policies of the school, and ensuring that the school’s Self Evaluation is conducted appropriately and development plans implemented as well as monitoring safeguarding, health and safety and nutritional standards. This committee also monitors all SMSC across school, including anti-bullying and effective pupil groups such as the School Council.
Governors do not manage the school – that is the role of the Headteacher. The Governors aim to support her in doing this but do not shy away from being a ‘critical friend’ and asking searching questions.
Role of the Governors
Governors are responsible for the strategic vision of the school and for supporting the Headteacher and her staff in achieving that vision. Governors have responsibility for appointing the Headteacher, managing the school’s budget, setting annual targets and monitoring performance against those targets, all in the interest of raising standards of achievement. In addition to these statutory responsibilities, governors monitor the impact of policies and do a wide variety of other things, either through formal committee activity or through personal involvement with the day-to-day life of the school.
The governing body may also be called upon to consider complaints from parents.
Whilst the role is a voluntary one, the Governing Body expects all governors and prospective governors to be aware of the time commitment required to be an effective governor. Primarily, that commitment arises from:
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Attending meetings of the Governing Body (minimum of one per term)
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Membership of either the Finance and Premises Committee (1 per term) or Curriculum and Standards Committee (1 per term)
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Undertaking training courses relevant to the role of a governor
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Having a link to a particular class and undertaking class visits to see the School Development Plan in action
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Having a particular area of responsibility such as finance, safeguarding or an area of the curriculum
Policies
The governors are responsible for setting and monitoring many of the school's policies.
Policies
Who are the Governors?
Laurel Avenue’s Governing Body comprises of 9 members, as follows: Three Parent Governors, one Authority Governor appointed by the Local Authority, one Staff Governor appointed by a ballot of staff, one Headteacher Governor, three Co-opted Governors appointed by the Governing Body themselves.
The members come from all sections of the community and each brings different experience and skills to the governing body. The governors have a common interest in education and want to make a positive contribution to education of pupils at Laurel Avenue.
Our Governing Body meetings are usually held after school. Governors attend training sessions to help them to keep up to date with changes in schools and education and to help them to do their job effectively.
Attendance 2022-2023
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Helen Blakey
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Fay Brice |
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Katie Corrigan
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Ellen Cottrell
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Gaynor Davison
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Ann Elliott
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Claire Linfoot
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Steve Linfoot
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Helen Walters
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F. Full Governing Body Meeting (3 per year)
Curriculum and Standards Committee (3 per year) Chair: Claire Linfoot
Finance and Premises Committee (3 per year) Chair: Katie Corrigan
/ : not a member of that committee
A: Apologies sent
Governor
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Attendance 2021-2022
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Wendy Bellamy
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Helen Blakey
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Katie Corrigan
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Ellen Cottrell
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Jessica Cottrell
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Gaynor Davison
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Ann Elliott
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Claire Linfoot
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Steve Linfoot
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Helen Walters
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F. Full Governing Body Meeting (3 per year)
Learning, Teaching and Achievement Committee (3 per year) Chair: Helen Blakey
Finance and Premises Committee (3 per year) Chair: Katie Corrigan
Community and SMSC (Social, Moral, Spiritual and Cultural) (3 per year) Chair: Claire Linfoot
/ : not a member of that committee
A: Apologies sent
Read more about our Governing Body's role in school by clicking this link.
Governor
Type
Term
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Employer and Nature of Employment
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Business Interests and Other Governor Role
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Personal or Family Interest/Loyalties
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Committee Membership
& Special Interest
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Helen Blakey
Vice-Chair
Parent
24/08/19 – 23/08/25
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Self-Employed
Hand Crafted Gifts Business
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None
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None |
Curriculum and Standards
Appeals
English/Literacy
Computing/Online Safety
Website
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Fay Brice
Co-Opted
07/05/2019 - 06/05/2023
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None |
None |
Curriculum and Standards
First/Pay Review
Maths
RE
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Katie Corrigan
Local Authority
20/01/22 – 19/01/26
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None |
Curriculum and Standards
Finance and Premises (Chair)
First/Pay Review
HT Performance
PSHE/RSE
British Values
Anti-Bullying/Behaviour
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Ellen Cottrell
Co-opted
06/06/20 – 05/06/24
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Senior Residential Worker (Children's Services)
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None
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None |
Curriculum and Standards
Appeals
Staffing (Chair)
Safeguarding inc. PREVENT
E-Safety
Modern Foreign Languages
GDPR
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Gaynor Davison
Headteacher
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Headteacher
Laurel Avenue Community Primary
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None
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Curriculum and Standards
Finance and Premises
Appeals
First/Pay Review
Staffing
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Ann
Elliott
Co-opted
17/05/21 – 16/05/25
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Retired Secondary School Teacher
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None
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None |
Curriculum and Standards
Finance and Premises
First/Pay Review
HT Performance (Chair)
Staffing
Art
Design Technology
Looked After Children
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Claire Linfoot
Chair
Co-opted
17/02/21 – 16/02/25
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Manager of Laurel Avenue Community Centre
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None
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Father – Lunchtime Supervisor at Laurel Avenue Community Primary
Husband - Governor at Laurel Avenue Community Primary School
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Curriculum and Standards (Chair)
Finance and Premises
Appeals
HT Performance
Staffing
Early Years
Pupil Premium
Special Educational Needs
Well-being
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Steve Linfoot
Parent
09/02/21 - 08/03/25
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Health and Safety Consultancy
Occupational Exposure Limited
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None
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Wife - Governor at Laurel Avenue Community Primary School
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Curriculum and Standards
Science
Health and Safety
History
Geography
PE/Sports Premium
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Helen Walters
Staff
14/03/19 – 13/03/23
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Deputy Headteacher
Laurel Avenue Community Primary
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None
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None |
Curriculum and Standards
Finance and Premises
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F. Full Governing Body Meeting (3 per year)
(O): Observer/: not a member of that committee
1. Learning, Teaching and Achievement Committee (3 per year)
2. Finance and Premises Committee (3 per year)
3. Community and SMSC (Social, Moral, Spiritual and Cultural) (3 per year)
1. Curriculum and Standards Committee
Terms of Reference
Strategic direction and statutory areas:
• Review, monitor and evaluate the curriculum offer.
• Contribute to the development and monitoring of the:
- SEF
- School Improvement Plan
- Targets for school improvement including SSG where appropriate
• Develop and review policies identified within the school’s policy review programme and in accordance with its delegated powers (e.g. RHSE and
pupil discipline/behaviour).
• Ensure that the school’s policy on SEND is consistent with the Code of Practice and Equalities Act, most recent KCSIE updates and receive termly
reports from the Headteacher/SENDCo and an annual report from the SEND Governor.
• Ensure the SEND Policy is monitored and reviewed regularly and that the policy is known to parents/carers.
• Ensure the school complies with the provisions of the Equalities Act 2010.
• Where necessary ensure that the 14-19 curriculum is broad-based and provides vocational training as well as academic qualifications.
• Where necessary ensure that all pupils have access to independent careers advice.
Curriculum and Improvement:
• Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of leadership and management in relation to curriculum design, implementation and impact.
• Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of curriculum design
• Monitor and evaluate the school’s own assessment of the impact of the curriculum for all groups of pupils to include Reading in all key stages
• Monitor and evaluate the quality of education and the impact of the curriculum including RHSE
• Monitor and evaluate the impact of continuing professional development on improving staff performance
• Monitor and evaluate provision for all groups of vulnerable children e.g. children looked after and children in need and ensure all their needs have been
identified and addressed.
• Monitor and review impact of Pupil Premium, Sports Premium, Early Years Premium, Catch Up / Recovery Premium.
• Set priorities for improvement and monitor and evaluate the impact of improvement plans which relate to the committee’s area of operation.
• Receive reports from external sources and agree actions to address recommendations; monitor and evaluate progress made.
• Ensure all children have equality of opportunity.
• Monitor pupils’ attitudes, values and development of other personal qualities within the school through the provision of RHSE.
Behaviour, Development and Well-Being:
• Ensure the school is fulfilling its responsibilities regarding safeguarding and child protection and the requirements of ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education’
• Ensure Safeguarding policies are adhered to; monitor and review all safeguarding policies/procedures within school.
• Monitor and review data on behaviour, bullying, peer on peer abuse, attendance, suspensions and exclusions.
• Ensure school is fulfilling its responsibilities with regards to pupils accessing alternative provision.
• Ensure that adequate provision is made for pupil transition.
Engagement:
• Monitor the school’s publicity, public presentation and relationships with parents/carers and the wider community.
• Identify and celebrate pupil achievements.
• Oversee and monitor arrangements for out of hours provision, extracurricular activities and educational visits including overnight stays.
• Ensure all statutory requirements for reporting and publishing information are met.
• Review and monitor the school’s website to ensure that it is accessible and fully compliant with current DfE requirements.
• Ensure the school works well with its community, parents and other schools.
MEETINGS: at least termly
QUORUM: 3
DISQUALIFICATIONS: None
2. Finance and Premises Committee
Terms of Reference
In conjunction with the Headteacher to draft and propose the first formal budget plan of the financial year for approval by the full Governing Body.
• Establish and maintain an up-to-date three year financial plan, taking into account priorities in the School Improvement Plan, roll projection and signals
from central Government and the LA regarding future years’ budget.
• Ensure that priorities detailed within the School Improvement Plan are appropriately costed and are reflected in the annual budget.
• Monitor the capital and revenue budget position statements to identify and address any anomalies from the anticipated position and report termly to the
full Governing Body.
• Review and monitor outstanding debts and action taken.
• Review and monitor Direct School Meals Provision by income and expenditure statements.
• Review the year end outturn report.
• Monitor and approve virements and expenditure over the Headteacher’s delegated limit.
• Appraise and approve spending decisions where competitive quotations or tenders are required.
• Ensure the school operates within the financial regulations of the Local Authority and the requirements of the DfE Schools Financial Value Standard (SFVS).
• Approve annually the Schools Financial Value Standard (SFVS) submission prior to the 31 March deadline.
• Review Related Party Transaction Register.
• Monitor the implementation of any identified actions in the SFVS submission.
• Confirm management arrangements for the Private School Fund and nominate an officer to administer the fund (Treasurer).
• Appoint an Auditor for the Private School Fund.
• Monitor expenditure of all voluntary funds held on behalf of the Governing Body and receive an audited annual statement of income and expenditure.
• Annually review the outcomes of the asset register stock check and approve the disposal of obsolete items.
• Oversee use and monitor impact of the Early Years Premium, Pupil Premium, PE and Sports Premium, Catch-Up Premium and Recovery Premium
• Review and monitor all financial policies including lettings, charging and remissions and expenses policies.
• Consider and promote income generation.
• Annually review income generated from contracts and lettings; oversee the use of premises by outside users.
• Where necessary, monitor and review Extended Care provision including review of annual income and expenditure statements where applicable.
• Ensure all appropriate insurances are in place.
• Annually review and approve the school’s Financial Procedures Manual.
• Monitor service level agreements annually and make decisions in respect of service level agreements ensuring value for money.
• Make decisions on expenditure following recommendations from other committees for example collaborative working arrangements with other schools
and/or bodies to ensure value for money.
• Ensure as far as is practical that health and safety issues are appropriately funded in accordance with agreed priorities.
• Annually review financial benchmarking data.
• Monitor the implementation of actions arising from the Internal Audit report or of a financial nature from other inspection regime reports.
• Ensure any instances of fraud or financial irregularity are reported immediately to the Head of Education and Skills and Chief Internal Auditor and Corporate Fraud
Manager.
Premises:
• Establish, review and monitor the Health and Safety Policy ensuring that the school meets health and safety requirements.
• Ensure actions are taken in respect of relevant health and safety legislation.
• Ensure that premises and the learning environment are maintained and are fit for purpose.
• Provide support and guidance for the Headteacher and Governing Body on all matters relating to the maintenance and development of the premises and
grounds, including health and safety.
• Ensure that an annual inspection of the premises and grounds is undertaken and a report received identifying any issues. Inform the Governing Body of the report
and set out a proposed order of priorities for maintenance and development for the approval of the Governing Body.
• Ensure professional surveys and emergency works are arranged as necessary.
• Oversee the use of premises by outside users.
• Establish and keep under review an Accessibility Plan and an Asset Management/ Building Development Plan.
• Monitor data on accidents and incidents.
MEETINGS: at least termly
QUORUM: 3
DISQUALIFICATIONS: where there may be a conflict of or a pecuniary interest.
Interested in becoming a Governor?
The personal qualities that our Governing Body looks for in selecting governors include strategic awareness, individual responsibility, sound judgement, effective communication skills, confidentiality and the ability to work as part of a team. If you are interested in becoming a governor now or in the future, please speak to Gaynor Davison (Headteacher) or Claire Linfoot (Chair of Governors).
When vacancies arise for Co-opted Governors, the Governing Body is responsible for the identification and selection of its members. We will identify and select prospective governors by, firstly, identifying any skills gaps among the current membership.
Parent and Staff Governors are advertised in the school community and if there are more nominations than vacancies a ballot will be held. If no parent governor nominations are forthcoming, the governing body has a duty to appoint a parent governor.
Useful Links:
Durham County’s Governors’ website:
www.durham.gov.uk
National Governors’ Association:
www.nga.org.uk