Our Governors

Welcome

On behalf of the Governors, a very warm welcome to our school website. We hope you find it informative and easy to use and that it gives you a taste of what we have to offer to you and your children

If you have any suggestions or queries, or would like to enquire about being a Governor at Holbeach Primary School, please email me at s.farnley@holbeach.lewisham.sch.uk or leave a note with your contact details in the school office.

Sharon FarnleyChair of Governors

Role of the Governing Body

The Governing Body has an important role to play in contributing to the leadership of the school. We are made up of a group of volunteers who meet regularly and have a close relationship with the staff and school community. We come from a wide range of backgrounds with varying skills and experience. We work together to support and challenge the school towards continually improving the education of all our pupils. Our aim is to provide a safe and caring environment where all children are encouraged and challenged to reach their full potential.

Holbeach is a friendly and inclusive school. As governors we support the aims and ethos of the school and help to celebrate our wonderfully diverse school community. We are proud of our school, its staff and pupils and we are confident in promoting the school, especially when we attend local authority events or when we are working in partnership with other schools.

Structure of the Holbeach Governing Body

The Holbeach Governing Body consists of 13 members

• The Headteacher
• 1 staff governor elected by school staff
• 1 local authority governor nominated by Lewisham Council
• 4 parent governors elected by parents of the school
• 6 co-opted governors chosen by the governing body for their skills and experience

Apart from the Headteacher, governors are appointed for a 4 year term of office.

For more details about the current Governing Body Members click here.

Responsibilities of the Holbeach Governing Body

Visit the school: We believe it is important to be a visible presence in the school to support the rich programme of curriculum events, fairs, celebrations and assemblies etc. The Chair and Vice-Chairs meet frequently with the Headteacher to discuss current issues and all governors make regular day time visits in their role as Link Governors.

Link Governors: To ensure that the leadership team is putting the school development plan into action, the governing body has assigned two link governors to each development priority, as well as to some other important aspects of the school, such as Child Protection & Safeguarding, Health & Safety and Pupil Premium. During their visits, link governors meet with staff and observe the school in action to monitor progress and give the governing body first-hand knowledge of the strengths and development needs of the school.

Link Governor Roles at Holbeach 2023-24

• Health and Safety (inc Staff Wellbeing) - Glenys Englert and Katie Drew
• ‍Safeguarding, Child Protection including Children who are Looked After (CLA) - Sharon Farnley and Steven Orpwood
• English - Glenys Englert and Sylvia McCloskey-Quigg

• Maths - Steven Orpwood and Charlie Killick
• Curriculum – within school and online - Ben Pitcher and Ross Baptie
• Finance and Resources - Sharon Farnley, Gbolahan Adedoyin and Ross Baptie
• Website and Compliance - Steven Orpwood
• Special Educational Needs and Disabilities - Katie Drew and Ben Pitcher

Attend Governors’ meetings: usually twice a term, to discuss and determine school strategy and policies.

Participate in Committees: which generally meet termly. All governors are members of the Resources and Curriculum Committees, which have a specific remit:

• Curriculum Committee focuses on teaching and learning, the children and their welfare to ensure the best possible curriculum and question how well all the pupils are achieving.
• Resources Committee focuses on finances and personnel, premises issues and health & safety to provide the best staff and environment and ensure value for money.
• Pay Committee monitors and takes decisions on behalf of the governing body to provide an effective pay structure, with a clear link between pay and performance.
• Attend training as individuals through the local authority’s central training programme and annual whole governing body training sessions especially tailored for the needs of Holbeach.

Meeting dates for the 2023-24 academic year

More information about becoming a Governor:

Lewisham Education at www.lewisham.gov.uk
National Governors Association at www.nga.org.uk
Copies of Holbeach Governing Body Agendas and Minutes are kept in the school office and are available on request.

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