Our School Governing Body

Governors are a voluntary body of people who guide and support the strategic direction of the school. They are members of the school team and their contribution to the running of the school is highly valued.

School Governing Body

The instrument of government states that the governing body shall consist of:

• 2 parent governors
• 1 local authority governor
• 1 staff governor
• 1 headteacher
•  8 co-opted governors

The role of the governing body is a strategic one, its key functions are to:

• Set the aims and objectives for the school
• Set the policies for achieving those aims and objectives
• Set the targets for achieving those aims and objectives
• Monitor and evaluate the progress the school is making towards achievement of its aims and objectives
• Be a source of challenge and support to the headteacher (a critical friend)

Mik Shinn - Co-opted governor

Responsibilities/Committees:  Chair, Standards & Pupils, Resources, Headteacher

Performance Management, SEND/Inclusion & Communication Resource Link Governor

Date appointed:  16/1/19 until 15/1/23

Business, Personal & Pecuniary Interests:  Spouse works at school

Governance roles in other institutions: None

Meetings attended in the last academic year: 6 out of 6 Full Governing Body

Hi – I am the Chair of Governors at Northfield Primary. I have been on the governing board for the last several years. I started as a governor while three of my children attended Northfield. Two of them have since moved onto Minsthorpe Community College. I have remained a governor and in the last few years I have taken on the additional responsibility of Chair.

Being a governor is immensely rewarding as you can see the positive impact the school staff and volunteers have on the lives of the children attending. It also gives you great insight to the inner workings of a local authority maintained school and a great appreciation for the amount of work that all the school staff and volunteers dedicate to educating, academically and emotionally, our community’s children.

One of my initial drivers for becoming a governor was to ensure that the children of Northfield were receiving the best education available to them. This, as a governor, is achieved through challenging the decisions made by the school. Over the years, I’ve realised it is equally important, as I do in my professional life, to work collaboratively with the school to ensure we strive for the best outcomes for the children from the start through defining the right strategies, financial budgeting, policies and procedures.

As a governor you get to share in the immense pride that staff feel as they watch the children transition through early years to year 6 watching them achieve success, grow in confidence and make many friendships through their time at Northfield.

Natalie Dawson - Parent Governor

Responsibilities/Committees:  Standards & Pupils, Resources, Headteacher

Performance Management, Safeguarding Link Governor and Curriculum Link Governor 

Date appointed:  22/11/6 until 21/11/20

Business, Personal & Pecuniary Interests:  None

Governance roles in other institutions: None

Meetings attended in the last academic year: 5 out of 6 Full Governing Body

I have been fortunate to hold a position as a parent governor for a number of years at Northfield Primary; holding responsibilities for resourcing, curriculum, performance but predominantly safeguarding of all our pupils. I have been so lucky to meet a broad range of pupils, staff members and parents over the number of years I have been governor. I feel very privileged and fortunate to be able to give back to our school and this, our local community. It gives me huge satisfaction seeing our pupils develop and all at Northfield proactively working with parents to ensure that our pupils are given the best foundation of education preparing them for their next school journey. We work with a number of children requiring additional support and who have a number of challenges to face and I strive to work with the team here at Northfield to help every single pupil that comes through our school gates.  I hope to continue for as long as I am able to add value and help in any way I can.

Claire Bedford - Co-opted Governor

Responsibilities/Committees:  Resources, Curriculum Link Governor

Date appointed:  19/3/19 until 18/3/23

Business, Personal & Pecuniary Interests:  None

Governance roles in other institutions: None

Meetings attended in the last academic year: 2 out of 2 Full Governing Body

I am a newly appointed Governor and I really wanted to get involved because my eldest daughter attends Northfield. The experience that children have during their time at school is something that I really care about. I have also been appointed to the Resources Committee which covers many aspects of school such as budgets, funding and policies.

I have worked for Wakefield Council for 23 years in a number of roles, including working in the Chief Executives Office and Caseworker for Elected Members.

I am really looking forward to being involved in the future of Northfield School.

Miriam Abbott - Parent Governor

Responsibilities/Committees:  Vice-Chair, Standards & Pupils, Headteacher Performance Management, Link governor for Pupil Premium and Health & Safety

Date appointed:  17/2/17  until 16/2/21

Business, Personal & Pecuniary Interests:  None

Governance roles in other institutions: None

Meetings attended in the last academic year: 6 out of 6 Full Governing Body

I enjoy being a parent Governor for Northfield Primary School and am the nominated Governor for the Health and Safety aspects of the school and for Pupil Premium.  It is my first time being in the role of a school Governor and I have had to attend training to help me to understand what is expected of a governor and how a school should adhere to policies and run effectively.  I feel that as a governor I can cast an independent eye over the workings of the school and then through my school visits and supporting the school through volunteering for school trips, I have seen how the school works on a day to day basis to provide me with a greater knowledge of the school. As Governors we are asked to challenge decisions made by the school and I feel I am able to do this from my knowledge of school and also from my professional background.

I am very proud to be a governor and just like every parent at Northfield Primary School, I want the very best for my child, hence, I can always bring a parent's perspective to every meeting.  I feel it is important that every child at Northfield Primary School is happy, safe, confident and strives to become the very best they can be.

Lynne Whitehouse - LA Governor

Responsibilities/Committees:  Link Governor for Attendance

Date appointed:  16/1/19 until 15/1/23

Business, Personal & Pecuniary Interests:  District Councillor (Wakefield), Town Councillor (South Kirkby and Moorthorpe)

Governance roles in other institutions: None

Meetings attended in the last academic year: 2 out of 2 Full Governing Body

I am proud to have been selected as a Governor at Northfield Primary, I have a great affinity with the school, having been a pupil there myself.  My three children were all educated at the school, and whilst they were there, I was a parent Governor too. I am a Town and District Councillor, and look forward to working with the staff, my fellow Governors and parents in helping our school achieve the best education for all our children.

Dawn Booth - Co-opted Governor

Responsibilities/Committees:  Standards & Pupils, SEND and Inclusion 

Date appointed:  16/1/19  until 15/1/23

Business, Personal & Pecuniary Interests:  Team Manager at the Communication Resource

Governance roles in other institutions: Governor at Newlands Primary School 

Meetings attended in the last academic year: 2 out of 3  Full Governing Body

Hi my name is Dawn Booth. I currently work for the local authority. I am Team Manager for the Communication and Interaction Team and I work with children with special educational needs.   I have been a teacher for 25 years. I have worked in a mainstream high school for 17 years as a Head of department, SENCo and Head of Student support. I have also been a Teacher in Charge of a resource provision that specialises in providing support for children with profound social communication difficulties.  I am passionate about improving the life chances and opportunities of all students in particular  those who have additional needs. Nothing is more rewarding than seeing a child flourish and achieve their goals in education or in a social setting. I am honoured to be a governor at Northfield. I love the school and I visit often to support the on-site resource provision. I work closely with the SENCo and I look forward to working even more closely with the school and governors to support them as it strives to deliver better results and outcomes for all their students.

Vanessa Vaughan - Headteacher  

Responsibilities/Committees:  Standards & Pupils, Resources

Date appointed:  1/9/18

Business, Personal & Pecuniary Interests:  Member of staff

Governance roles in other institutions: None

Meetings attended in the last academic year: 5 out of 6 Full Governing Body

I have been Headteacher at Northfield since September 2018. I was delighted to join a group of Governors who are so dedicated to providing the children at Northfield with the very best opportunities to enjoy and excel. The care and well-being of children and staff lies at the very heart of the Governing Board. I have been pleased to join this team and to work alongside the Governors to make Northfield the school that the children and their families deserve. It is a great place with some great people.

I am particularly passionate about books and reading and love exploring new books with the Reading Ambassadors. I love sport and art and hope to bring back Northfield’s amazing history of musicals and performance. Watch this space………

Katie Grimshaw - Staff Governor

Responsibilities/Committees:  Standards, School lead on SEND/Inclusion

Date appointed:  14/11/17  until 13/11/21

Business, Personal & Pecuniary Interests:  Member of staff

Governance roles in other institutions: None

Meetings attended in the last academic year: 6 out of 6 Full Governing Body

Hi – I’m the SENCO at Northfield and I have been on the governing body since 2017 as the staff governor.  I enjoy being on the governing body as Northfield is very important to me – I have worked here since September 2009 and have taught across Key Stage 2.  I feel that being a governor allows me to have a wider view of the school and to be part of the strategic development of the school.  It also enables me to be part of a team who want to ensure Northfield strives to provide the very best for its pupils.

In my free time I enjoy spending time with my family, going for long walks, baking and shopping!  

Helen Woodgate - Co-opted governor

Responsibilities/Committees:  Deputy Head, Standards & Pupils, School lead on Pupil Premium and Safeguarding

Date appointed:  14/11/17  until 13/11/21

Business, Personal & Pecuniary Interests:  Member of staff

Governance roles in other institutions: None

Meetings attended in the last academic year: 6 out of 6 Full Governing Body

Hi – I’m the Deputy Head at Northfield and have been on the governing body since I joined the school, firstly as an observer and then as a Co-opted governor since 2017.  I enjoy being part of the governing body as Northfield is very close to my heart, as well as being my job.  I feel that being part of the governors brings me closer to the community aspect of school and gives me a wider view of school than I would otherwise have.  I enjoy working with a team of people whose only objective is to give  Northfield and its pupils, the opportunity to be the best that they can possibly be.

In my free time, I read voraciously, eat enthusiastically and cook, bake and knit when I get the chance!

Meetings for the 2019-20 Academic Year

All meetings take place at 5pm and are preceded by a meeting of the Resources Committee at 4pm.

Meeting planned for the 2020/21 Academic Year:

22 Sep 2020

10 Nov 2020

12 Jan 2021

16 Mar 2021

11 May 2021

6 Jul 2021

Governor Training in 2020/21

15th September - What Does Governance Look Like? as delivered by Vanessa Huws-Jones, Independent Consultant and School Advisor

Committee Structure

​Full Board Meeting

The full board meeing takes place every half term.

Chair: Mr Michael Shinn

Clerk: LA Clerk

Further details about this committee are outlined below.

Resources Committee

The resources committee meets every half term

Chair: Mr Michael Shinn

Clerk: Mrs R Mitchell

Further details about this committee are outlined below.

Standards and Pupils Committee

​​The standards and Pupils Committee meets every term

Chair: Mrs Natalie Dawson

Clerk: Mrs Claire Bedford

Further details about this committee are outlined below.

Resources Committee

Purpose of the Committee

• To act on resources matters (finance, premises, staffing) delegated by the full Governing Board, including reviewing and developing policies.
• To liaise and consult with other Committees where necessary.
• To contribute to the School/Academy Improvement Plan and/or Development Plan.
• To consider safeguarding and equalities implications when undertaking all committee function

Procedures

• The Chair of the Committee must be appointed annually by the Governing Board or elected by the Committee, as determined by the Governing Board.
• In the absence of the Chair, the Committee shall choose an Acting Chair for that meeting from among their number.
• The Governing Board must appoint a Clerk to the Committee, who must not be the Headteacher/Principal.
• In the absence of the Clerk, the Committee shall choose a Clerk for that meeting from among their number (this cannot be the Headteacher/Principal).
• Any decisions taken must be determined by a majority of votes of Committee members present and voting – no vote can be taken unless a majority of those present are Governors.
• The Committee meetings will not be open to the public but minutes shall be made available. Information relating to a named person or any other matter that the committee considers confidential does not have to be made available for inspection.
• The draft minutes of each meeting will be circulated with the agenda for the next ordinary meeting of the full Governing Board and will be presented at that meeting by the chair (or in his/her absence another member of the committee

Financial Management & Planning

• To review, adopt and monitor a Finance Management Policy, including a local scheme of delegation for spending and budgetary adjustments (virements) for the Committee, Headteacher and other nominated staff.
• To review, adopt and monitor all additional financial policies, including a Charging and Remissions Policy.
• To establish and maintain a three year financial plan, taking into account the priorities of the School/Academy Improvement Plan, roll projection and signals from central government and (if applicable) the LA regarding future years’ budgets, within the constraints of available information.
• To draft and approve an annual school budget taking into account the priorities of the School/Academy Improvement Plan and provide an overview to the full Governing Board.
• To make decisions in respect of service level agreements.
• To ensure that sufficient funds are set aside for pay increments as set out in the Pay Policy and as recommended by the Headteacher.
• To ensure that an annual audit of the school fund (and any other funds held by the Governing Board) is undertaken by persons independent of the school, and ensure that the results are reported to the full Governing Board

Financial Monitoring

• To monitor the income and expenditure throughout the year of all delegated and devolved funds against the annual budget plan.
• To receive at least termly budget monitoring reports from the Headteacher.
• To report back to each meeting of the full Governing Board and to alert them of potential problems or significant anomalies at an early date.
• To meet with other committees (if necessary) and provide them with the information they need to perform their duties.
• Subject to the local scheme of delegation, to approve any budgetary adjustments (virements) that will from time to time be necessary in response to the evolving requirements of the school.

• To review, complete and submit the School Financial Value Standard (SFVS).
• To undertake any remedial action identified as part of the SFVS.
• To receive and act upon any issues identified by a local authority audit

Premises and Health & Safety

• To provide support and guidance for the Governing Board and the Headteacher on all matters relating to the maintenance and development of the premises and grounds, including Health and Safety.
• To ensure that an annual inspection of the premises and grounds takes place and a report is received identifying any issues.
• To inform the Governing Board of the report and set out a proposed order of priorities for maintenance and development, for the approval of the Governing Board.
• To arrange professional surveys and emergency work as necessary.
  • The Headteacher is authorised to commit expenditure without the prior approval of the committee in any emergency where delay would result in further damage or present a risk to the health and safety of pupils or staff. In this event, the Headteacher would normally be expected to consult the Committee Chair at the earliest opportunity.
• To create a project committee, where necessary, to oversee any major developments.
• To establish and keep under review an Accessibility Plan, a Building Development Plan and Emergency Procedures.
• To review, adopt and monitor a Health and Safety Policy.
• To review, adopt and monitor a Lettings and Charges Policy for the use of school premises.
• To ensure that the Governing Board's responsibilities regarding litter, refuse and dog excrement are discharged according to Section 89 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990, so far as is practicable.
• Ensure the safe management and maintenance of asbestos, fire safety and statutory testing. Abiding by the legislation and compliance requirements outlined within the “Compliance Monitoring for Council Buildings” produced by The Federation of Property Societies (http://www.fedps.org.uk), which sets out the responsibilities for employers and duty holders. Independent schools, Academies and Free Schools have sole responsibility. For maintained schools, both Local Authorities and schools have responsibilities for the repair and maintenance of premises.

Staffing Planning

• To ensure that the school is staffed sufficiently for the fulfilment of the school‘s development plan and the effective operation of the school.
• To establish and oversee the operation of the school's Appraisal Policy – including the arrangements and operation of the school's appraisal procedures for the Headteacher.
• To establish a Pay Policy for all categories of staff.
• To be responsible for the administration and review of the Pay Policy, taking account of local and national developments.
• To ensure that staffing procedures (including recruitment procedures) follow equalities legislation.
• To annually review procedures for dealing with staff discipline and grievances and make recommendations to the Governing Board for approval.
• To monitor approved procedures for staff discipline and grievance and ensure that staff are kept informed of these.
• To recommend to the Governing Board staff selection procedures, ensuring that they conform with safer recruitment practice, and to review these procedures as necessary.
• In consultation with staff, to oversee any process leading to staff reductions.
• To establish the annual and longer-term salary budgets and other costs relating to personnel, such as training.
• To consider any issues referred by the Headteacher outside any scheme or policy adopted by the Governing Board.

Standards and Pupils Committee

• To act on curriculum matters delegated by the full Governing Board, including reviewing and developing policies.
• To liaise and consult with other Committees where necessary.
• To contribute to the School/Academy Improvement Plan and/or Development Plan and ensure that it is focused on appropriate priorities for raising standards at the school.
• To monitor standards achieved by all children at the school and challenge leaders to improve outcomes.
• To consider safeguarding and equalities implications when undertaking all committee functions.
• The Committee can determine its own quorum, however (by Law) this must not be less than 3 Governor members of the Committee.

Procedures

• The Committee, in conjunction with the Governing Board, is free to determine how often it meets
• The Chair of the Committee must be appointed annually by the Governing Board or elected by the Committee, as determined by the Governing Board.
• In the absence of the Chair, the Committee shall choose an Acting Chair for that meeting from among their number.The Governing Board must appoint a Clerk to the Committee, who must not be the Headteacher/Principal.In the absence of the Clerk, the Committee shall choose a Clerk for that meeting from among their number (this cannot be the Headteacher /Principal).
• Any decisions taken must be determined by a majority of votes of Committee members present and voting – no vote can be taken unless a majority of those present are Governors.
• The Committee meetings will not be open to the public but minutes shall be made available. Information relating to a named person or any other matter that the committee considers confidential does not have to be made available for inspection.The draft minutes of each meeting will be circulated with the agenda for the next ordinary meeting of the full Governing Board and will be presented at that meeting by the chair (or in his/her absence another member of the committee)
• To review, monitor and evaluate the curriculum offer.
• To recommend for approval to the full Governing board the
• Self-Evaluation Form (SEF)
• School/Academy Development Plan (SDP) and/or School/Academy Improvement Plan (SIP)
• Targets for school/academy improvement to the Governing Board.
• To develop and review policies identified within the school’s policy review programme and in accordance with its delegated powers (e.g. sex education and pupil behaviour/discipline).
• To ensure that the requirements of children with special needs are met, as laid out in the Code of Practice, and receive termly reports from the Headteacher/SENCO and an annual report from the SEN Governor(where appointed).

Achievement & Challenge

• To monitor and evaluate rates of progress and standards of achievement by pupils, and challenge school leaders on any underachieving groups.
• To monitor and evaluate the impact of the quality of teaching and learning on rates of pupil progress and standards of achievement
• To monitor and evaluate provision for all groups of children (e.g. looked after children, disadvantaged children, children with learning difficulties and disabilities, more able children) and ensure all their needs have been identified and addressed, and to evaluate their progress and achievement
• To consider all relevant advice and recommendations from external reviews of the school (e.g. Ofsted or School Improvement Advisers), agree actions as a result of reviews and evaluate regularly the implementation of the plan.
• To set priorities for improvement, and monitor and evaluate the impact of improvement plans which relate to the committee’s area of operation. To monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of leadership and management (including that of the Governing Board).
• To monitor and evaluate the impact of continuing professional development on improving staff performance.
• To regularly review and develop the Assessment Policy and to ensure that the policy is operating effectively.
• To ensure that all children have equal opportunities.
• To monitor the use of Pupil Premium and Sports Funding to ensure that it is being used effectively and is having an impact.
• To advise the Resources Committee on the relative funding priorities necessary to deliver the curriculum.

Engagement

• To monitor the school’s publicity, public presentation and relationships with parents and the wider community.
• To identify and celebrate pupil achievements.
• To oversee arrangements for educational visits, including the appointment of a named co-ordinator.
• To ensure all statutory requirements for reporting and publishing information are met and the school website content is fully compliant and presented in an accessible way.

Headteacher Performance Management Working Group

The Governing Board is responsible for carrying out the Headteacher's appraisal. It is good practice, however, for the task to be delegated to a sub-group consisting of two/three members of the Governing Board and this is stated within the DfE and LA model appraisal policies.

To carry out the Governing Board’s statutory responsibilities for the Performance Management of the Headteacher.

Quorum

• There is not a specific quorum for the working group but it is recommended that two/three members of the Governing Board carry out the duties
• It is recommended that the working group should not comprise of anyone employed to work at the school.

Procedures

• The working group, in conjunction with the Governing Board, is free to determine how often it meets; however, it must meet at least annually to carry out the Headteacher’s appraisal and it is good practice to also carry out a mid-year review.
• The Chair of the working group must be appointed annually by the Governing Board or elected by the Committee, as determined by the Governing Board.
• In the absence of the Chair, the working group shall choose an Acting Chair for that meeting from among their number.
• The Governing Board must ensure that an external adviser has been appointed to support and provide advice to the working group in relation to the appraisal of the Headteacher.
• Notes of meetings of the working group should be taken by someone who is not employed at the school and who does not have a personal interest in the matters to be considered.

Headteacher Appraisal

To carry out the performance review of the Headteacher in accordance with legal requirements and the school’s Appraisal Policy. This must include, before, or as soon as practicable after, the start of each appraisal period:

• informing the Headteacher of the standards against which their performance in that appraisal period will be assessed;
• setting objectives for the Headteacher in respect of that period, in consultation with the external adviser appointed by the Governing Board.

To, following completion of the performance review, make a recommendation to the Resources Committee on whether pay progression and/or a discretionary payment for the Headteacher should take place (if possible within the remit of the Governing Board’s agreed Pay Policy