The Governing Body
The Governing Body consists of eight individuals representing different parts of our school and wider community.
There are:
- 2 Parent Governors
- 1 Local Authority Governor
- 2 Foundation Governors, appointed by the West Yorkshire and the Dales Diocesan Board of Education
- 1 Co-opted Governor, appointed for their specific skills
- 2 Staff Governors one of whom is the Headteacher
The Governing Body agrees policies and has a shared ownership for the development and strategic direction of the school. It acts as a ‘critical friend’ by asking searching questions whilst at all times respecting the position of the Headteacher as professional leader of the school.
As a full governing board we meet regularly, endeavoring always to ensure our children receive the best education possible, in a safe and supportive environment.
The minutes of Governing Body meetings are available at the bottom of this webpage and on the Governors notice board located in the rear entrance vestibule of school.
Business Interests of Governors
There are no interests declared by the current Governing Body.
Duties of the Governing Body
Governors are elected to serve four years. Governors are like a Board of Directors who meet six times a year and make decisions about how the school is run.
The main duty of the governing body is to maintain and improve our school's standards of education; our work can be divided into these key areas:
setting the school's vision and strategic aims, agreeing plans and policies and making creative use of resources
monitoring and evaluating performance
acting as a critical friend to support and challenge in the management of the school
ensuring that the school is accountable to the children and parents it serves, to its local community, to those who fund and maintain it, as well as to the staff it employs
As a Governing Body we:
- give support, advice and help to the school
- take a real pride in the school and the achievements of its pupils and staff
- work on and agree general school policies and the school's own Development Plan
- work in partnership with the staff and education advisors for the benefit of the school
- visit the school in order to gain a clear understanding of the working of the school
- accept and act on collective decisions of the governing body
- participate in school activities in particular those which promote the school
- participate in training sessions
- ensure financial probity
- ensure the premises are well managed
Members of the Governing Body
Governor’s Name | Representation | Date of Appointment | Appointed By | Date Present Term Expires |
Mrs Rebecca Lyman | Executive Headteacher | September 2023 | Ex Officio | N/A |
Mr Harry Eastland (Chair) | Co-Opted Governor | November 2023 | Full Governing Body | November 2027 |
Mrs Debbie Britton | Foundation Governor | January 2024 | Diocese | January 2028 |
Mrs Judy Andrews | Foundation Governor | May 2024 | Diocese | May 2028 |
Mrs Jamie Willis | Staff Governor | September 2021 | Elected by School Staff | September 2025 |
Mr Chris Probert | Parent Governor | January 2023 | Parents | January 2027 |
Mrs Philippa Whitaker | Local Authority Governor | March 2024 | Local Authority | March 2028 |
Past Governors
Retired Governor’s Name | Representation | Date of Leaving Governor Body |
Reverend Suzy McCarter | Foundation Governor | May 2024 |
Mrs Hayely Cronin | Parent Governors | February 2024 |
Mrs Linda Turvey | Chair of Governors | October 2023 |
Miss Victoria Kirkman | Headteacher | August 2023 |
Mrs Kathryn Morrison | Local Authority Governor | August 2023 |
Mrs Rosemary Bird | Foundation Governor | January 2023 |
Dr Helen Waterworth | Parent Governor | November 2022 |
Mr Paul Hill | Parent Governor | November 2022 |
Mr Matt Walker | Local Authority Governor | December 2021 |
Mrs Liz Bedford | Headteacher | August 2021 |
Mrs Katey Lacey | Staff Governor | July 2021 |
Dr Kate Jones | Parent Governor | June 2021 |
Mrs Debbie Britton | Chair of Governors | August 2020 |
Mrs Tracy Robinson | Parent Governor | July 2020 |
Governing Body Attendance
2022-2023 Academic Year
Number of meetings in the year: 6
Number of meetings in brackets = number possible to attend due to date of appointment or retirement
Name | Number of Meetings Attended |
Miss Victoria Kirkman (EHT) | 6 |
Mrs Jamie Willis | 6 |
Mrs Linda Turvey | 6 |
Mrs Rosemary Bird | 2 (3) |
Mrs Kathryn Morrison | 6 |
Rev. Suzy McCarter | 4 |
Mr Paul Hill | 2 (2) |
Dr Helen Waterworth | 0 (1) |
Mr Chris Probert | 2 (3) |
Declaration of Interests
Standing Orders for Procedural Workings of the Governing Board of Birstwith C. E. Primary School
Governor Code of Conduct
Governing Body Minutes
2022-2023
July 2023 | May 2023 | March 2023 | January 2023 | November 2022 | September 2022 |
2021-2022
July 2022 | May 2022 | March 2022 | January 2022 | November 2021 | September 2021 |
2020 - 2021
July 2021 | May 2021 | March 2021 | February 2021 | January 2021 | December 2020 | November 2020 | October 2020 |
2019 - 2020
July 2020 | May 2020 | March 2020 | January 2020 | November 2019 | October 2019 |