Our Governing Body

Governors work closely with headteachers, school staff and representatives from the local authority (LA).

Governor Committee Structure

Click on each name to find out more about the Governor’s roles and responsibilities:

Name	Representing	Term of Office	Committee	Responsibilities	Register of Interests
Mr Alan Gibson	Co-opted	01.09.19 - 31.08.23	Curriculum & Standards Finance Health & Safety Hearings/First HT Performance Review Personnel	Chair of Governors Geography Responsible for School Website	Chair of the DCC Safety Advisory Group Member of Burnhope Parish Council trustee of Burnhope Community Centre
Mr Ossie Johnson	LA Governor	14.07.17 - 13.07.21	Appeals, Pupil Discipline		Charity Trustees Beamish Museum Chair of Trustees DCC Lanchester Parish Councilor Member of Burnhope Parish Council Burnhope Community Centre Trustee Governor at Lanchester EP Primary
Mr Derek Coates	Co-opted Governor	01.09.19 - 31.08.23	Appeals Finance Pupil Discipline Health & Safety	Music	Chair of Burnhope Parish Council Burnhope Community Centre Trustee
Councillor Jude Considine	Co-opted Governor	04.12.17-03.12.21	Finance & Premises Headteacher Performance Review Personnel		County Councillor Membership Labour Party Member NW Durham Labour Party member / delegate Exec Labour Party NERO Exec Committee Member Lanchester Parish Council Vice Chair Mid Durham AAP Vice Chair Burnhope, Greencroft Healeyfield Parish Council observer Family Member Connor Considine GoAhead Group
Mr Gordon Smith	Co-opted Governor	20.03.18 - 21.03.22	Appeals Finance Pupil Discipline Health and Safety	Design Technology	Member of Burnhope Parish Council
Mrs Christine Dunn	Co-opted Governor	20.10.19 - 19.10.23	Health & Safety Personnel	MFL	None
Mrs Kay Winship	Co-opted Governor	12.02.20 - 11.02.24	Appeals Pupil Discipline		Works at North Durham Academy
Mrs Karen Bell	Staff Governor	09.11.16 - 08.11.20	Curriculum and raising Standards, Health and Safety	Governor training	None
Mrs Carolann Brooks	Parent Governor	10.10.17 - 09.10.21	Curriculum & Standards Hearings/First Personnel Headteachers Performance Review	Child Protection/ Safeguarding Looked After Children SEND	None
Mrs Dawn Walton	Parent Governor	11.09.17 - 10.09.21	Finance and Premises, Hearings / First Headteachers Performance Review		None
Mrs Angela Dawson	Parent Governor	24.03.19 - 23.03.23	Hearings/First Personnel Curriculum & Standards Headteacher Performance Review		None
Mrs Hayley Gibson	Parent Governor	09.01.18-08.01.22	Curriculum & Raising Standards Hearings / First		Trustee of COLLARS (Cleveland Police Dogs Retired Fund)
Mrs Lisa Bryson	Acting Head Teacher Associate Governor	7.10.2020 - ongoing	All committees except; Appeals Headteachers Performance Review	DLS	None
Mrs Vikki Savage	Co-opted Governor	07.10.2020 - 06.10.2024	Curriculum and Raising Standards

The Chair for each committee meeting will be elected at the start of each meeting as agreed by the full Governing Body of Burnhope Primary School.

Statutory Guidance for Governing Bodies

Burnhope Primary School adhere to the statutory guidance from the Department of Education. This means that governing bodies must have regard to it when carrying out duties relating to the constitution of governing bodies in maintained schools.

The Constitution of Governing Bodies of Maintained Schools (2017)

Annual Governance Statement

You can view or download our Annual Governance Statement by clicking the link below:

Annual Governing_Body statement 2020

How To Become A School Governor

If you require further information on the roles and responsibilities of School Governors or you are interested in becoming one, visit the Durham County Council website School Governor section.

Governor Attendance

Schools are required to display a record of Governor attendance at meetings for each school academic year.

KEY
✓ – Attended meeting
A/A – Apologies sent and accepted by meeting
N – Did not attend
x – Not a member of the committee

Record of Attendance 2020 – 2021

Name	Finance Meeting [07/10/20]	Autumn FGB Meeting [07/10/20]	Extraordinary Governor Meeting [21/10/20]	Pay Review Meeting [25/10/20]	Extraordinary Governor Meeting [02/11/20]	Curriculum Meeting [14/12/20]	H&S Meeting [14/12/20]	Special FGB Meeting [09/01/21]	Special FGB Meeting [26/02/21]
Mr Alan Gibson - Chair	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓
Mr Derek Coates	✓	✓	✓			x	x		✓
Mr Ossie Johnson	x	✓				x	x	✓	✓
Mrs Christine Dunn	✓	✓	✓		✓	✓	✓	✓	✓
Mrs Carolann Brooks	x	✓	✓	✓		✓	x	✓	A/A
Mrs Dawn Walton	✓	A/A	✓			x	x	✓	✓
Mrs Angela Dawson	x	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	x	✓	✓
Mrs Kay Winship	x	N	✓			x	x
Mr Gordon Smith	A/A	A/A				x	✓	✓	✓
Mrs Karen Bell	x	✓	✓			✓	✓	✓	A/A
Mrs Lyn Adamson	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓
Mrs Hayley Gibson	x	A/A				x	x
Mrs Jude Considine	✓	✓	✓			x	x	✓	✓
Mrs Lisa Bryson					✓		✓	✓	✓
Mrs Vikki Savage			✓					✓	✓

Archived Attendance
You can also view previous years attendance on our website.

Skills Audit

You can view our most recent skills audit below.

Skills Audit 2016

If you would like a paper copy of any the items on this website, we will be happy to provide this for you free of charge. If you require further information please contact the school and we will do our best to help.

Committee Terms of Reference

The Finance & Premises Committee

CHAIR: to be elected at each meeting
Terms of Reference:

In conjunction with the Headteacher to draft the first formal budget plan of the financial year, for approval by the full Governing Body.
To establish and maintain an up-to-date 3 year financial plan.
To monitor income and expenditure, including virement decisions, significant anomalies from the anticipated position and report termly to the Governing Body.
To ensure the school operates within the financial regulations of the County Council and the requirements of the DfE Schools Financial Value Standard (SFVS).
To monitor expenditure of all voluntary funds kept on behalf of the Governing Body.
To annually review charges and remissions policies and expenses policies.
To make decisions in respect of service level agreements.
To make decisions on expenditure following recommendations from other committees.
To prepare financial statements for inclusion in any reports to parents.
To ensure as far as is practical that any Health and Safety (H&S) issues are appropriately funded in accordance with priorities.
To ensure that Pay Review Committee and Pay Appeal Committee decisions are appropriately funded.

Meetings: termly, or each half term, planned to coincide with Oracle Statement.
Disqualifications: when there may be a conflict of interest; a fair hearing is required; or a pecuniary interest. Associate Members may not vote.

Hearings/First Committee

CHAIR: to be elected at each meeting
Terms of Reference:

To act in accordance with the Whole School Pay Policy adopted by the Governing Body.
To make any decisions under the personnel procedures adopted by the Governing Body, eg disciplinary, capability, grievance, ill health etc where the Headteacher is the subject of the action.
To make any decisions relating to a member of staff (other than the Headteacher) under the Personnel procedures adopted by the Governing Body (unless delegated to the Headteacher).
Reducing the staffing.

Meetings: as and when necessary.
Disqualifications: The Headteacher; the Chair of Governors (if he/she has prior knowledge or involvement) Spouse/partner.
Delegation to the Headteacher
Under the 2009 Staffing Regulations the Governing Body determines the extent to which it delegates to Headteacher the responsibility, up to and including initial dismissal decisions for school staff.

Personnel Committee

CHAIR: to be elected at each meeting
Terms of Reference:

To carry out an annual review of the staffing structure in consultation with the Headteacher and the Finance Committee.
To oversee the appointment procedure for all staff.
To establish and review a performance management policy for all staff.
To keep under review work/life balance, working conditions and well being, including the monitoring of absence.
To make recommendations to the Finance Committee on Personnel-related expenditure.

Meetings: Termly
Pecuniary interest.

Delegation to the Headteacher
School Staffing (England) Regulations 2009.
Appointment: The Governing Body can delegate the power to appoint outside the leadership group to:

The Headteacher
One or more Governors with the right of the Headteacher to advise
One or more Governors and the Headteacher.

Delegate to One or more Governors with the right of the Headteacher to advise as above for:

Permanent teaching staff posts
Permanent support staff posts
Temporary staff.

Dismissals: In matters of discipline and/or capability, redundancy and ill health.

Written warnings.

Appeals Committee

CHAIR: to be elected at each meeting
Terms of Reference:

To consider any appeal against a decision to dismiss a member of staff made by the Hearing/First Committee (or Headteacher if delegated).
To consider any appeal against a decision under the personnel procedures adopted by the Governing Body (eg disciplinary, capability, pay review etc).
To consider any appeal against selection for redundancy.

Meetings: as and when required. Must have no fewer members than the Hearing.
Disqualifications: Headteacher. Any Governor who was involved in the hearing. Spouse/partner.

Health & Safety Committee

CHAIR: to be elected at each meeting

Ensuring that the school meets health and safety requirements and review the schools H&S policy regularly.
Ensuring that PE is taught as part of the school curriculum and monitoring the quality and adequacy of provision.
Promoting an ethos that encourages participation in competitive sport both within the school and between schools.
Monitoring nutritional standards within the school to include school meals, snack provision and food available during wrap-around provision.
Ensure that the school’s policy on SEN is consistent with the code of practice and Equalities Act and that arrangements are made to ensure the policy is monitored and reviewed regularly. The policy is known to parents and carers.
Consider developing a whole school drugs policy.
Decide whether or not to provide sex and relationships education and consult parents (Primary). Agree the content and organisation of the school’s programme of sex and relationship education and notify parents of their right to withdraw their child (all secondary schools and primary schools that choose to provide S&R education).
Monitor pupils’ attitudes, values and how other personal qualities are developed within the school through the provision of RE and PHSCE and that parents are told of their right to withdraw their child.
Ensure the effective integration of children with SEN.
Consider the provision of sex and drugs education. Secondary schools: ensure sex education is provided.
Ensure that adequate provision is made to make the building safe and secure, Health and Safety policy.
Ensure the school is fulfilling its responsibilities regarding child protection and the requirements of “Working Together to Safeguard Children”.
Ensure that buildings and the learning environment are maintained and fit for purpose.
Oversee the use of the premises by outside users.
Establish and keep under review an asset management /building development plan.
Establish and keep under review an Accessibility Plan.

Meetings: at least termly.
Disqualifications: conflict of interest, pecuniary interest.

Curriculum & Raising Standards Committee

CHAIR: to be elected at each meeting

Conduct the school with a view to promoting high standards of education achievement (SSFA 1998).
Set targets for achievement at EYFS, KS1 and KS2. Monitor the school’s performance against these targets.
Monitor the achievement of disadvantaged groups and the impact of policies on race, SEN, Looked After Children and Disability on pupils, parents and communities.
Contribute to the development and monitoring of the School Improvement Plan and the SEF.
Ensure that every child receives the full statutory curriculum that the school must provide.
Ensure that a report on each pupil’s educational achievements is forwarded to their parents/ guardians annually.
Set attendance targets and monitor the school’s performance against these targets.
Ensure the school has a curriculum policy that meets pupils’ needs.
Ensure the school has policies on Race and Disability Discrimination.
In general terms, monitor teaching and learning and the progress of pupils.
Monitor the provision of extra-curricular activities including overnight stays provided to encourage recreation and social development.
Ensure the quality of education, teaching and learning (see Enjoy and Achieve re promoting high standards).
Plan to raise standards of achievement and monitor the school’s performance.
Consider out-of-hours provision (wrap around provision, study support, extended schools).
Ensure that all pupils have access to careers advice.
Ensure the school works well with its community, parents and other schools.
Ensure the school meets the requirements of the SEN and relevant disability legislation.
Ensure the school works effectively with other agencies to support vulnerable children and their families.
Consider requests for absences during term-time.

Meetings: At least half termly.
Disqualifications: None.
Delegation to the Headteacher
To consider urgent requests for absences during term-time.

Pupil Discipline Committee

CHAIR: to be elected at each meeting

Ensure the school has an effective behaviour and anti-bullying policy. Monitor the implementation of this policy and its impact.
Monitor the development of pupils’ attitudes, values and other personal qualities.
Aims and values for the school are agreed and positive ethos for the school is promoted. Policy decisions are consistent with the agreed aims, values and ethos.
Ensure that the school has an effective school council. The Governing Body takes account of the school council in determining the way in which the school is conducted.
The school promotes inclusive policies that allow for the achievement of all pupils.
Ensure that adequate provision is made for transition between primary and secondary education.
Ensure that the school fulfils its statutory responsibilities in terms of Race discrimination.
Ensure each child is able to reach their potential including the gifted and talented (differentiation).
Act as Pupil Discipline Committee for Permanent/Fixed Term exclusions.
Complaints.

Meetings: Termly or when required.
Disqualifications: Prior knowledge in cases of pupil discipline or complaints.

Headteacher’s Performance Review Committee

CHAIR:
Terms of Reference:

To arrange to meet with the External Adviser (EA) or Education Development Partner (EDP) to discuss the Headteacher’s performance targets.
To decide with support from the EA or EDP whether the targets have been met and to set new targets annually.
To monitor throughout the year the performance of the Headteacher against the targets.
To make recommendations to the appropriate committee in respect of awards for the successful meeting of set targets.

Meetings: Autumn term, plus monitoring meetings.
Disqualifications: the Headteacher and staff.

Virement & Expenditure Limits

Virement Limits		Expenditure Limits
Limit set for Headteacher without prior written approval of Chair or Governing Body	£2,000	Any items of expenditure up to	£5,000
Limit set for Headteacher with approval from Chair of Governors	£2,000 to £5,000	Above this limit if item was previously notified to the Governing Body. Prior Finance Committee or Chair of Governors approval (whichever is the soonest) to be sought outside of this limit and reported at the earliest opportunity.
Prior Finance Committee or Chair of Governors approval (whichever is the soonest) to be sought outside of this limit and reported at the earliest opportunity.

NB: Any goods/services purchased and works to be carried out are subject to Durham County Council Contract Procedure Rules (January 2014) for quotations.

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