Governors

Role of the Governing Body

The Governing Body recognises its responsibility to be the final arbiter on all policy matters and decisions concerning the management of the school.

It is the Governing Body’s intention to delegate responsibilities adequately to a number of Committees and to the Head and staff so as to ensure the most efficient and effective delivery of policy.

Click here to view our Primary Instrument of Government information.

The Chair of the Committees to agree with the Head Teacher the agenda and send to members 1 week prior to the meeting.

The minutes of Committees will be presented to all Governors at the next full Governing Body meeting. Major decisions may be referred to the full Governing Body where full consultation is felt advisable.

The Governing Body has also established Working Parties without delegated powers to consider key issues with a view to recommending to full Governors a course of action.

Governing Board Membership

Type

Appointed By

Term of Office

Attendance 2017/18

Start

End

Ms Lisa Biggin

Cllr Tracy Harvey

Mrs Jan Holder

Rev Glynn Holland Chair

Miss Debbie McClelland

Rev Ray Morris Vice-Chair

Mrs Margaret Colley

Mrs Richenda Broad

Vacancy

Mrs Farzana Kousar

Vacancy

Miss Rebecca Marine

Mrs Amy Goring

Head

Authority

Co opted

Parent

Staff

Observer

Ex Officio

Elected

01/09/14

08/06/15

05/05/15

09/11/17

22/03/18

00/00/00

09/11/17

00/00/00

29/02/16

07/06/17

07/06/19

04/05/19

08/11/21

21/03/22

00/00/00

08/11/21

00/00/00

29/02/20

06/06/21

13/13

5/8

10/11

13/13

2/8

11/13

6/6

6/7

–

5/6

–

8/8

N/A

Full Governing Board	Finance & Resources	Raising Achievement	Perf Mgt	Safer Rec Trained	Governor Responsibility
13/12/2018 28/03/2019 04/07/2019	11/10/2018 31/01/2019 09/05/2019	08/11/2018 07/03/2019 13/06/2019
Lisa Biggin	X	X		15/05/15
Tracy Harvey		X	X	01/03/13	Curriculum enhancement & community enterprise
Jan Holder	X			17/02/17
Glynn Holland (Chair)	Chair	Chair	X	24/11/16	Literacy, CLLD, Creative Development, RE
Debbie McClelland		X
Ray Morris (Vice Chair)	X	X	X	27/03/09	Numeracy, SEN, G&T, LAC, Safeguarding/ GDPR
Mags Colley		X
Richenda Broad	X				GDPR, Social Media linked with Safeguarding/ E Safety
Rebecca Marine		X		17/02/17
Farzana Kousar		X		04/07/18	Early Years/ Attendance
Amy Goring	Observer	Observer

Former Governor/s

Type

Appointed by

Term of Office

Start

End

Mrs Huma Ahmed

Mr Phil Andre

Mr Gerard Armstrong

Mr Bob Kerr

Parent

Co Opted

Parent

Co Opted

Elected

02/05/2015

05/05/2015

26/03/2015

09/11/2017

26/11/2016

16/11/2017

30/01/2018

23/04/2018

**Concerns/Appeals Committee – Pool Membership (all governors except those employed in school in any capacity

The Governing Body recognises its responsibility to be the final arbiter on all policy matters and decisions concerning the management of the school.

It is the Governing Body’s intention to delegate responsibilities adequately to a number of Committees and to the Head and staff so as to ensure the most efficient and effective delivery of policy.

The Chair of the Committees to agree with the Head Teacher the agenda and send to members 1 week prior to the meeting.

The Governing Body has also established Working Parties without delegated powers to consider key issues with a view to recommending to full Governors a course of action.

FINANCE AND RESOURCES COMMITTEE REMIT – Quorum 3

To consider the budget allocation from the LA and approve a budget for the financial year.
To vire between budget headings during the course of year
Day to day management be delegated to the Head Teacher
Spending Limits in line with school financial procedures
To the Head Teacher: Delegated powers up to a ceiling of £10,000 on any single item purchased, without reference to the Finance Committee (unless these purchases have already been agreed by governors within the reported School/Premises or ICT Development Plans). Any emergency expenditure of more than £5,000 on maintenance of the site will be reported to the committee.
Committee Level: expenditure up to £30,000.
Any expenditure over that will be submitted for approval to the full Governing body with the recommendation of the Committee.
To monitor spending and examine outturn figures during the financial year.
To follow the LA’s guidelines when entering into contractual agreements.
To determine charges for lettings
To liaise with the Raising Achievement members and the full Governing Body over matters relating to School Development Plans.
To determine the staffing levels and annual teaching staff establishment and recruit in line with Safer Recruitment Guidelines.
Ensure up to date and relevant training regarding safeguarding procedures are in place and monitor the effectiveness of policies and practices;
To determine the grades for non-teaching staff in accordance with LA Job Evaluation.
To advise the Governing Body of and approve the School Charging Policy.
Implement, review and approve finance policy on an annual basis.
Review and approve the School Pay policy on an annual basis.
To monitor and evaluate staff absences in line with the Staff Absence Management Policy.
To implement the governing Body’s Pay Policy for all staff (teaching and non-teaching) including the annual review of teachers’ salaries, Head Teacher and Deputy Head Teachers as required by law.
To advise on matters relating to competitive tendering.
To consider and report to the Governing Body on aspects of building and premises including monitoring the (DDA) Disability Discrimination Action Plan and Equal Opportunities compliance.
To determine the number and deployment of posts above the basic level.
To ensure that arrangements for Performance Management/Threshold Payments are implemented.

SCHOOL FINANCIAL VALUE STANDARD (SFVS) REMIT

To consider annually the Schools Financial Value Standards (SFVS).

To approve and sign off SIC (Statement of Internal Control) after considering the latest Audit Report, Self Evaluation of Internal Control Systems and pre- certification checklist for governors.
To consider benchmarking data annually in order to plan and manage the budget, identify areas and set targets for improved use of resources, achieve value for money and improve effectiveness to improve performance, delivering educational services to a defined standard.

BUILDING AND SITES REMIT

To consider and report to the Governing Body on aspects of building and premises, including monitoring the (DDA) Disability Discrimination Action Plan.
To review the Health and Safety Policy on an annual basis.
To review Health and Safety Training Needs;
To maintain a high standard of Health and Safety for all.
To consider and prioritise future developments relating to the building/premises;
To produce an annual report of building related issues for Governors/staff/parents.
To meet termly or as required.

RAISING ACHIEVEMENT (STRATEGIC PLANNING) COMMITTEE REMIT – Quorum 3

To monitor/evaluate progress against the OFSTED Action Plan (where applicable) or the LA CAT Plan
To advise the Governing Body in establishing a curriculum policy statement.
To consider and have delegated power to respond to the LA with regard to their, Children, Families & Learning Plan;
In liaison with the Head Teacher, to agree statutory (KS4) and non-statutory targets aimed at raising standards of pupil performance;
To approve policies for sex education, religious education, collective worship SEN, Inclusion and other as deemed necessary and advise the Governing Body accordingly.
To monitor and evaluate pupil performance including targeted groups: i.e. Ability Groups and Vulnerable groups e.g. Looked After Children, Ethnic Minority/English as an Additional Language, SEN, Travellers, Refugees/Asylum Seekers, excluded pupils termly using comparative data from the RAISEonline PIVATS and school pupil tracking systems.
To advise the Governing Body on curriculum organisation.
To liaise with the Head Teacher over the preparation, monitoring and evaluation of School Improvement Plans.
To contribute, monitor and evaluate the School Self Evaluation Form.
Monitor the effects of pupil attendance, fixed term and permanent exclusions on pupil attainment through the Head Teacher’s report.
Monitor the effectiveness of the way school promotes Community Cohesion/Extended Schools.
To consider any requests from the school for residential educational visits and journeys relating to the curriculum. The named governor for Health and Safety to monitor risk assessment and report annually to the full governing body.

APPRAISERS REMIT

Performance management/appraisal regulations require governing bodies to appoint two or three governors to appraise the Head Teacher. The appointed governors must undertake the performance review with the External Adviser ensuring that clear objectives are set and monitored. Clear assessment should be made of performance overall and in particular the extent to which the Head Teacher has achieved his/her objectives. They must prepare a written statement recording the main points made by the appraiser, the Head Teacher’s response and the conclusions reached.

The recommendation for deciding whether or not to award a performance point on the pay spine is delegated to the governors conducting the performance review who must be mindful of the School’s Pay Policy.

Any alteration to the school ISR (Individual School Range) must be made with the approval of the delegated committee.

To agree objectives with the Head Teacher and external Adviser in respect of performance management.
To monitor objectives with the External Adviser half yearly.
To meet at least twice a year.

COMPLAINTS/CONCERNS AND APPEALS COMMITTEES – Quorum 3

Chair of Complaints: To be appointed at time of meeting.

Chair of Appeals Committee: To be appointed at time of meeting.

Clerk:

Pool Membership for Complaints and Appeals Committees (excluding staff)

A Governor who serves on a Complaints Committee may not serve on an Appeals Committee

(Gender balance of governors should sit on each Committee if possible subject to availability of respective governors)

COMPLAINTS/CONCERNS COMMITTEE REMIT

To consider matters relating to pupil behaviour.
To determine matters relating to the reinstatement of a permanently excluded pupil.
To receive and act on any complaint from parents according to school policy.
To discuss the need for staff reduction, and, if necessary set the criteria for nominating a member of staff as redundant.
To determine which member(s) of staff will be nominated for dismissal/redundancy by applying the criteria established.
To liaise and carry out formal consultation with representatives of recognised Trade Unions prior to the meeting of the nominating Committee.
To consider any issue relating to capability, disciplinary or grievance.
To consider appeals following Performance Management reviews to meet within 10 working days of receipt of an employee’s notification of appeal;
Confirm decision following Performance Management appeal within 10 days of the date in which it met and made the decision.
To meet when required.

APPEALS COMMITTEE REMIT

To hear an appeal from a member of staff regarding the decision to dismiss that member of staff, and determine, in the light of the appeal, whether the decision to dismiss should be upheld.
To consider any appeal against grading from a member of the non-teaching staff and decide whether the appeal can be upheld.
To hear appeals in respect of capability, disciplinary or grievance.
To consider any appeal against salary assessment/grading from members of staff (teaching and non-teaching) and determine whether the appeal can be upheld.
To hear pay appeal following decision of original Performance Management appeal.

Governor Biographies

Raymond Arthur Morris

Raymond Arthur Morris, born 1942 in suburban Kent but father’s family are genuine East Enders. Educated Dulwich College (scholarship boy) and Trinity College, Oxford, degrees in Classics and Theology; also an external London Law Degree. Moved to Middlesbrough 1968 and worked for Social Services with young offenders, Police and court liaison and managed Adoption and Fostering Team – seconded to government task force on permanent placement of children: retired 2002. Ordained Church of England priest 1991 and served as honorary curate of St Barnabas, Linthorpe & Ayresome 1992 – 2014, chaplain Teesside Hospice 2002 – 2009. Married 1966 Kate, formerly headteacher of The Cleveland Unit (preschool assessment Unit for children with disabilities JCUH). A son and daughter both educated at Middlesbrough state schools: Son a consultant anaesthetist, daughter a chartered town planner: four grandchildren. Governor of Ayresome School for the past 12 years and of Pennyman School for 6 years until it became an Academy: member of Middlesbrough and Hartlepool School Admission Appeals Panel. Hobbies: cryptic crosswords, member of John Buchan Society and enjoys holidays abroad and in the UK.

Jan Holder

Jan Holder is the School Business Manager. She first started working at Ayresome in November 1993 in a part time capacity giving administrative help in both the Infant and Junior school offices. This was her first job role upon returning to work after a career break to bring up her two daughters who are now grown up and married. When the school was going through amalgamation in 2002, she moved to another school nearby as a full-time administrator where she gained experience in budget handling and monitoring. Jan moved back to Ayresome in 2006 when the opportunity arose to take up her present role. Jan has a great loyalty to the school and is proud to be part of such a wonderful learning environment on its journey to becoming an outstanding school.

Lisa Biggin

Lisa Biggin is Headteacher of Ayresome. This is her sixth Headship of schools spanning 20 years, all of which were in difficult circumstances. A former National Leader of Education, Lisa started her own consultancy business in 2010 specialising in academy transfer, driving schools out of special measures and teacher training. After working predominantly in Oxford but also nationally for four years she returned to her home town of Middlesbrough to take up the Headship of Ayresome in September 2014. A keen musician, dancer, theatre goer enjoying travelling in her motorhome, Lisa remains committed to making everything both outstanding and ‘awesome’ at Ayresome’.

Father Glyn Holland

“You’ve never really left school” This comment was made to Glyn relatively recently and contains more than a grain of the truth. With a degree in English Literature and a Post Graduate Qualification in Education Glyn taught English in a large secondary school for 2 years, leaving in 1983 to train as a priest within the Church of England. On being ordained to a curacy in Brighouse, he was appointed as a Foundation Governor to the parish school, and has been involved in Governance and education throughout his ministry. He still does some teaching. He is engaged through the world of RE as Chair of Middlesbrough’s Standing Advisory Council for Religious Education (SACRE). He is enthusiastic about interfaith work and many children have benefited from a wide range of projects which have been sponsored by partners as diverse as SACRE, The Hindu Cultural Society, Ripon Cathedral and York Minster.

Glyn has been Chair of Governors at Ayresome since 2011 and also at Archibald since 2002. He was heavily involved in bringing the Royal Shakespeare Company to schools in the Middlesbrough area. Glyn came to Middlesbrough in 1996 to be parish priest of All Saints. Prior to that, he was, for seven years, Vicar of Saint Andrews, Ferrybridge. In 2008, he was made Citizen of the Year in recognition to his contribution to education regeneration projects which have had a positive impact on the town. He frequently appears on local radio and is very proud to be associated with the school considering himself to be an adopted son of the Boro.

He enjoys frequent visits to the theatre, keeping the staff at Waterstones busy with frequent orders, travelling to Leeds for Concerts and opera, or watching the latest cinema releases

Tracy Harvey

My name is Tracy Harvey and I am a Local Authority (LA) Governor and member of the Raising Achievement Committee at Ayresome Primary School. I have been a Governor here since 2011.

I was born in Middlesbrough and have lived in the town all my life. I am married and have a daughter and two wonderful grandson’s.

I worked in local government for over twenty five years until 2010, taking voluntary redundancy in order to stand in the 2011 Local Council elections.

The main part of my career has been spent in professional Community Work. I graduated from Durham University in 2006 with a BA in community studies and have worked in communities across the town in East Middlesbrough, Newport and latterly Easterside.

My interests also lie in community politics. I believe in local politics as means of engaging with and involving local people to take on local issues and also, together, tackle the challenges in modern society that pose barriers to individuals, families and neighbourhoods leading peaceful, prosperous and successful lives.

Rebecca Marine

I am a Year 3 class teacher and cohort leader. I started working at Ayresome Primary in October 2015 following two years of teaching experience in Hartlepool. I was elected staff governor in April 2016. My main areas of interest relate to the social, moral, spiritual and cultural development of the school. My aim is for every child to understand how special and unique they are. I have recently been nominated Ayresome’s lead in our journey towards the Rights Respecting school award and School of Sanctuary accreditation. I look forward to working with other governors to support the schools transformation.

In my limited spare time, I enjoy walking along Seaton Carew beach and visiting the theatre.