What do Governors do?
Our Governors play a vital role in the leadership and success of our school. They work closely with the Headteacher, school staff, and representatives from the Local Authority (LA) to ensure the best outcomes for our pupils. Together with the Headteacher, the Governing Body sets the strategic direction for the school and makes key decisions about how the school’s budget is allocated. role of the school governor is demanding but very rewarding and is a good way to give back to the local community. School governing bodies are responsible for working with the school to ensure that it delivers a good quality education. Together with the headteacher, who is responsible for day-to-day management, they set the school’s aims and policies.
Key roles of governors:
- To ensure clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction
- To hold the headteacher to account for the educational performance of the school and its pupils, and the performance management of staff
- To oversee the financial performance of the school and make sure its money is well spent
They also carry out a number of other important duties, which include:
- Determining how the school’s budget is spent
- The appointing and dismissing of staff
- Hearing appeals and grievances
- Forming policy on the school’s curriculum and collective worship
- Setting standards for pupils’ behaviour and discipline
- Making sure school buildings are welcoming and safe
- Setting and monitoring the school’s aims and policies
Our Governors Code of Conduct
- Please click Here
The School Governance (Roles, Procedures and Allowances) (England) Regulations 2013 give Governing Boards the discretion to pay allowances, from the school’s annual budget allocation, to governors for certain allowances which they incur in carrying out their duties.
The Governing Board decided at their meeting held on 05/06/2025 that due to School Budget constraints, it would not pay any allowances to members of the Governing Board.
The policy will be reviewed on 06/06/2026
Governor Committee Structure
Committee Terms of Reference Doc
| Name | Registry Of Interest | Material Interests arising from Relationships with Staff | Position | Committee | Term of Office Ends | Representing | Responsibilities |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mrs Clare Hannon | None | None | Curriculum and Standards | Term of office from 26 Jun 2022 to 26 Jun 2026 | Co-opted Governor | ||
| Mr Watts Stelling | None | Curriculum and Standards | Term of office from 22 Apr 2023 to 21 Apr 2027 | Co-opted Governor | Safeguarding Health and Safety E-Safety |
||
| Mr John Brierley | Charity Trustee Consett Rotary | None | Finance and Premises Chair - Nov 2025/26 | Appeals, Finance; Premises, Personnel, Curriculum and Standards, Pay Review | Term of office from 23 Nov 2025 to 23 Nov 2029 | Co-opted Governor | Maths, History and Geography |
| Mrs Vicki Cooper | None | None | Chair Of Governors Nov 2025/26 Curriculum and Standards Chair May 2025/26 | Curriculum & Standards, Finance, Premises and Personnel, Pay Review, HeadTeacher's Performance Review | Term of office from 17 Jul 2025 to 16 Jul 2029 | Co-opted Governor | Early Years Foundation Stage |
| Mr Andrew Plant | Secretary to Leadgate Partnership; Secretary to Eden Minors Trust | None | Vice Chair of Governors- Nov 2025/26 | Curriculum & Standards, First / Pay Review, Finance & Premises, Headteacher's Performance Review, Personnel, Pupil Discipline | Term of office from 31 Mar 2023 to 31 Mar 2027 | Co-opted Governor | Inclusion & SEND, Pupil Premium Sports Premium |
| Miss Kirsty Keeler | None | None | Curriculum & Standards | Term of office from 17 Jun 2025 to 16 Jun 2029 | Staff Governor | Art and Design, Design and Technology |
|
| Cllr Alan Shield | Trustee Durham Christian Partnership; Trustee Co Durham Citizens Advice; Trustee Eden Minors Trust | None | Appeals, Finance and Premises, Curriculum and Standards, Headteacher’s Performance Review | Term of office from 31 Mar 2023 to 31 Mar 2027 | Local Authority Governor | Attendance, RE |
|
| Ms Estelle Spring | None | None | Curriculum and Standards, Pupil Discipline | Term of office from 1 Nov 2025 to 31 Oct 2029 | Co-opted Governor | English, Phonics and Reading |
|
| Miss Laura Weaver | None | None | Acting Head Teacher | All committees | Term of office from 02/11/2022 to 01/11/2026 | Ex Officio | Head Teacher |
| Mrs Ashleigh Armstrong | None | None | Curriculum and Standards, Personnel, Appeals, Finance and Premises | Term of office from 27 Jan 2023 to 26 Jan 2027 | Parent Governor | Outdoor Learning and Provision Science |
|
| Ms Lisa Hall | None | None | Curriculum and Standards, Personnel | Term of office from 15 Oct 2025 to 14 Oct 2029 | Parent Governor | PSHE/RSE Computing |
Governor Body Meeting Attendance
KEY
✓ – Attended meeting
A/A – Apologies sent and accepted by meeting
N – Did not attend
X – Not a member of the committee
NA – Not appointed or term of office has ended
Record of Attendance 2025/2026
| Governor | Curriculum Standards Committee Meeting 2.10.25 | Finance and Premises Committee Meeting 16.10.25 | Full Governor Body Meeting 6.11.25 | Pay Review 6.11.25 | Curriculum Standards Committee Meeting 15.1.26 | Finance and Premises Committee Meeting 29.1.26 | Full Governor Body Meeting 12.2.26 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mrs Clare Hannon | ✓ | x | ✓ | x | ||||
| Mr Andrew Plant | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ||||
| Cllr Alan Shield | AA | AA | AA | AA | ||||
| Miss Laura Weaver | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ||||
| Miss Kirsty Keeler | x | x | ✓ | x | ||||
| Mr John Brierly | x | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ||||
| Miss Estelle Spring | x | x | ✓ | x | ||||
| Mrs Vicki Cooper | AA | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ||||
| Mrs Ashleigh Armstrong | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ||||
| Mr Watts Stelling | x | AA | AA | AA | ||||
| Ms Lisa Hall | x | x | AA | x |
Statutory Guidance for Governing Bodies
Leadgate 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)
National Governance Association Code of Conduct (2019)
How To Become A School Governor
If you require further information, please contact the school.
If you are interested in becoming a governor, visit the Durham County Council website School Governor section.
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