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 on the Information from Governors notice board located at the rear entrance.
Chair of Governors Report to Parents 2018/2019
Chair of Governors Letter to Parents July 2019
Governance Statement to Parents 2017/2018
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 three times a term 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
Governing Body Minutes
Governing Body Minutes 2020 - 2021
| October 2020 | ||
Governing Body Minutes 2019 - 2020
| October 2019 | January 2020 | May 2020 |
| November 2019 | March 2020 | July 2020 |
Governing Body Minutes 2018 - 2019
| November 2018 | January 2019 | May 2019 |
| December 2018 | March 2019 | July 2019 |
| April 2019 |
Governing Body Minutes 2017 - 2018
| October 2017 | January 2018 | May 2018 |
| November 2017 | March 2018 | July 2019 |
Governing Body Minutes 2015 - 2016
September 2015 Minutes January 2016 Minutes May 2016 Minutes
November 2015 Minutes March 2016 Minutes June 2016 Minutes
December 2015 Minutes July 2016 Minutes
Governing Body Minutes 2016 - 2017
September 2016 Minutes January 2017 Minutes April 2017 Minutes June 2017 Minutes
November 2016 Minutes March 2017 Minutes May 2017 Minutes July 2017 Minutes
Members of the Governing Body
Mr M Walker - (Chair) Local Authority Governor - 2015-2019
Mr Matthew Walker was appointed as School’s Local Authority Governor in June 2015.
He has worked in the public sector for 23 years in West Yorkshire, Staffordshire and North Yorkshire. During these years, Matt has worked in a variety of roles, achieving promotion through management positions to leadership roles. Matt holds a wide and varied number of portfolios for business change and is part of a joint Command team with responsibility for over 400 staff across 22 sites around North Yorkshire. He has worked with HM Government and Cabinet Office on National capability projects specifically relating to communications.
Being ensconced in Public Sector work and Government, Matt is experienced in managing inspection regimes, driving subsequent action plans and influencing business change.
Matt is married with two children, the youngest being a pupil at Birstwith. They live locally and have strong links to the parish churches in our joint benefice. Matt sits on the PCC and Church Committee of Hampsthwaite and Killinghall. In addition to our local churches, Matt and his wife worship and volunteer at Mowbray Community Church in Harrogate where they are youth fellowship leaders.
Precious spare time is spent enjoying family activities such as dog walking, cycling, camping and caravanning, running and learning to play the guitar.
I am delighted to be part of the Governing Body at Birstwith and hope my experiences in work and life will assist in playing a part in keeping our wonderful school as a vibrant and safe learning environment.
Linda Turvey - (Vice-Chair) Co-opted Governor - January 2018- January 2022
I was delighted to be asked to join the Governing Body of Birstwith School. I have been actively associated with Birstwith for 10 years, since my grandson and then later my granddaughter joined the school and subsequently flourished there. I am very pleased to be able to support a school with such a caring staff and unique environment.
I have lived in North Yorkshire all my life and I am the daughter of a Superintendent in North Yorkshire Police. I enjoy walking, swimming, cycling, reading, the theatre and having fun with my 4 grandchildren, aged from 18 months to 15 years.
I have a B.A. in English and a Certificate in Education and I began my teaching career in Whitby. After a break bringing up my two daughters, during which time I was a Parent Governor at their junior school, I was elected to Hambleton District Council, where I served for 8 years, including on the Swimming Pool Sub-Committee.
I resumed my career, teaching A-level English Literature and I subsequently set up my school’s Psychology Department and then taught A-level Psychology and A-level Sports Studies. After 20 years teaching, I took early retirement in order to help my daughter keep her children at this wonderful school and have really enjoyed maintaining my relationships with the staff and Governors.
Kate Jones - Parent Governor - 2020-2024
I am married and have 2 boys who attend the school and live in a local village. I was born and brought up in North Yorkshire by a family of teachers who instilled in me the importance of a quality education in a happy and caring environment. I have worked in the public healthcare system since I qualified as a doctor in 2002. I worked initially in the NHS and then enjoyed almost a decade living and working in New Zealand in my chosen speciality of respiratory and sleep medicine. I have always had a passion for teaching and education and also worked as an honorary clinical lecturer at the University of Otago. Following our return to the UK in 2016 we were delighted to find such a wonderful school to send our children to. I now work in the sleep department at York hospital and also as a clinical tutor at the Hull York Medical School. Out of work I enjoy the outdoors, walking, running and spending time with my family. I am proud to have been elected to the position of parent governor and hope to be able to support the staff in maintaining the high standards and positive environment in which to educate our children.
Kathryn Morrison - Parent Governor - 2019-2023
I have a long history with Birstwith school; having attended myself as a child, completing work experience there as part of my further studies, and working there; both as a classroom assistant and in the ‘Time Out’ after school club’.
I am married and living in the village with my two children (Lucas and Hector) who both happily attend the school.
I have worked with children, young people and families for 20 years. I am currently a Practice Co-Ordinator for North Yorkshire County Council’s Children and Families Service. I am responsible for managing a team of Children and Families Support workers to deliver targeted, early intervention to children, young people and their families across the Ripon and Nidderdale area. I am highly passionate and driven about ensuring that support is available for all children and families in our area.
Outside of work, I enjoy walking in our beautiful countryside with my family. I am also a keen runner, and run leader and mental health champion for a local running group.
I am delighted and proud to be part of the Governing Body for Birswith School, and hope I can work alongside the rest of the governing body in supporting the wonderful staff team at Birstwith continue to make our school such a special environment for our children.
Beth Elias - Foundation Governor - July 2020 - 2024
Beth began her career in the NHS in 1999 as a children’s Occupational therapist at the Leeds Teaching Hospitals. Over this time Beth worked in the regional head injury team working with children who had complex neurological injuries. This also included many years working on paediatric intensive care as part of the rehabilitation process.
Beth then moved on to work on the special care baby unit at both Leeds General infirmary and St James’s Hospital with babies in intensive care, high dependency and transitioned their care to home. This also included visiting patient’s at home to advise on neurodevelopment and treatment of any existing or developing conditions.
Beth moved to Leeds Community Healthcare Trust in 2006 to work as a lead in one of the city’s child development teams and her work has become specialised in children with complex communication disorders, particularly Autism Spectrum Conditions. This specialism has led to a regular lecturing commitment at Leeds Beckett University to support the Occupational Therapy MSc course.
The last two years Beth has moved into a senior management role supporting the trusts temporary staff bank. This work includes strategic planning at a local, regional and national level around work force planning. This has been an exciting opportunity to develop skills in resource planning and work closely with the trusts board of Directors.
Beth’s commitment to working with children and their inclusion in mainstream education is an ongoing passion and Beth still sees a number of patients as an independent practitioner.
Rosemary Bird - Foundation Governor - January 2019 - January 2023
I am very pleased to have joined the Governors of Birstwith School. I have lived in Birstwith for twenty years. Both my daughters went to Birstwith School and I was involved with the Friends of the school. As a teacher I have worked in primary schools, colleges and until recently I was teaching at Belmont Grosvenor School in the village. I still do some supply teaching.
I attend Birstwith Church and my role as a Foundation Governor involves a church link. I enjoy lots of outdoor activities and water sports. I am looking forward to the opportunity of taking part in the Birstwith School community with the children, staff and parents.
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Katey Lacey - Staff Governor - 2012-2020
Katey Lacey became Teacher Governor in 2012. She has over 20 years teaching experience in a variety of different types of schools and in every age group in the primary range. She has Batchelor and Masters Degrees in Primary Education and a keen interest in teaching and learning in ICT. She has also worked for North Yorkshire as a tutor for children who are educated out of a mainstream school environment, and as an adult education tutor training teaching assistants.
She began working at the school in 2006 teaching year 5 and 6. She has enjoyed being actively involved in the development and continued success of the school through 2 OFSTED and SIAS inspections and numerous new developments, such as building projects, national initiatives and the collaboration with Admiral Long Primary School.
Katey enjoys her role as Teacher Governor as it gives her an opportunity to bring a staff perspective to debate about the development and management of the school. She finds it rewarding to work alongside other Governors and is enjoying developing a strategic viewpoint of school development.
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Liz Bedford - Headteacher
Mrs Liz Bedford has been the Headteacher at Birstwith since 2000. She previously had a number of years experience as a teacher in Lancashire as well as other schools in North Yorkshire.
Under her leadership the school has grown in numbers over the years and the school building has undergone radical transformation to accommodate a greater number of classes and children. She is proud of the staff team that work at Birstwith with her, knowing that all members ensure an exciting and challenging learning experience for the children in their care as well as supporting pupils' personal and social development. The supportive and challenging Governing Body work with Mrs Bedford to develop the strategic direction of the school.
In more recent years she has also taken on the headship at Admiral Long CE Primary School (previously Bishop Thornton CE Primary School) in a nearby village and she splits her time between the two sites ensuring the collaborative work extends positively the experiences of the staff and pupils.
Mrs C Jennings - Clerk to the Governors