Governors work closely with the headteacher, school staff and representatives from the local authority (LA) and the Bishop Wilkinson Catholic Academy Trust.
Governor Committee Structure
Click on the names below the find out more about our Governors
| Name | Representing | Term of Office | Committee | Responsibilities | Register of Interests | Relationships in school |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mrs Veronica Kelsey | Diocese | 10/03/25 | Headteacher Performance Review Hearings First Committee incorporating Pay Review | Chair of Governing Body Safeguarding, Prevent and FGM Governor Health and Safety Governor | None | None |
| Mrs Lauren Blakey | Staff | 10/03/25 | Admissions Committee | Child Sexual Exploitation Governor | Employed by St Michael's School | Teacher at St Michael's School |
| Mrs Jo Bruton | School | ongoing | All | Whole school | Employed by St Michael's School | Headteacher of St Michael's School |
| Mrs Elizabeth Hidson | Diocese | 10/03/25 | Hearings First Committee incorporating Pay Review | Pupil Premium and LAC children Governor | Employed by Sunderland University | None |
| Fr David Coxon | Diocese | 10/03/25 | Admissions Committee | Vice Chair of Governors Religious Life of School Governor | Foundation Governor at Federation of St Joseph's and Our Lady Queen of Martyrs School | Parish Priest |
| Mrs Gemma Spence | Parent | 10/03/25 | Admissions Committee | Remote Learning Governor | Relax Kids Coach Employed at St Bede's School | Parent at the school |
| Cllr Bev Coult | Associate Governor | 10/03/25 | Headteachers Performance Review | Vice Chair of Governors SEND Governor | Local Authority Councillor LA Governor at Langley Park Primary School Treasurer of Langley Park Primary School Secretary of Langley Park Allotments Secretary of Langley Park and Bear Park Cricket Club Director of Durham Cricket Board DCC representative on NECA and JTC | None |
| Mrs Laura Dodds | Diocese | 10/03/26 | Headteachers Performance Management | MFL and ICT Governor E-Safety | Employed by Houghall College | None |
| Mrs Bev Rochester | Diocese | 10/03/25 | Hearings First Committee incorporating Pay Review | Sports Premium Governor | None | Parent at the School |
| Mrs Shelagh Robinson | Diocese | 10/04/26 | Admissions Committee | Reading and Phonics Religious Education | None | Grandparent at the School |
Recent Resignations
- Mrs Christina Harrison (Foundation) Resigned from post October 2020
- Mrs Rosaleen Palmer (Foundation) Resigned from post December 2020
- Mrs Ruth Veitch (Foundation) Resigned from post October 2020
- Mr Jonathan Yates (Diocese) Resigned from post June 2020
- Mrs Kate Turner (Parent) Resigned from post February 2020
Governor Attendance
Schools are required to display a record of Governor attendance at meetings for each school academic year.
Record of Governor Attendance 2021–2022
| Name | Full Governing Body Meeting 19th October 2021 | Full Governing Body Meeting 22nd March 2022 | Meeting (add date) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mrs Veronica Kelsey | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Mrs Lauren Blakey | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Mrs Jo Bruton | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Fr David Coxon | ✓ | AA | |
| Mrs Gemma Spence | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Cllr Bev Coult | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Mrs Bev Rochester | ✓ | AA | |
| Mrs Laura Dodds | N/A | ✓ | |
| Mrs Shelagh Robinson | N/A | N/A | |
| Mrs Elizabeth Hidson | ✓ | AA | |
| Mrs Christina Charlton | N/A | ✓ | |
| Mrs Julia Brown (left School March 2022) | ✓ | N/A |
KEY
✓ – Attended meeting
A/A – Apologies sent and accepted by meeting
x – Did not attend
N/A – Not a member of the committee
Archived Attendance
You can also view previous years attendance on our website.
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.
Statutory Guidance for Governing Bodies
St Michael’s Catholic Primary School, adhere to the statutory guidance from the Department for 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. For further information please view or download the full document below.
The Constitution of Governing Bodies of Maintained Schools (2017)
Annual Governance Statement
Annual Governance Statement for the Governing Body 2020
St Michael’s Governors Statement of Behaviour
St Michael’s Catholic School insists on the highest standards of behaviour and conduct. We seek to create a caring learning environment by promoting excellent behaviour through:
- Promoting self-esteem, self-discipline, respect for authority with relationships built on mutual respect
- Encouraging a consistency of response to both positive and negative behaviour
- Providing a safe environment free from disruption, violence and bullying which protects the well-being of the whole school community
- Encouraging a positive relationship with parents and carers to ensure that they play their part in the implementation of the school’s policy and procedures
- Supporting the Headteacher and staff when faced with challenging behaviour.
Students are expected to follow our school behaviour code – Be Ready, Be Safe, Be Respectful that is the basis of our school behaviour policy, at all times. Our behaviour policy is to be read in conjunction with our Peer on Peer Abuse policy.
If any pupil does not follow the expectations of the school behaviour code and policy this may result in sanctions. For example, if a pupil:
- Makes false accusations against a member of staff
- Assaults or threatens a member of staff
- Threatens, harasses or is involved in sexual misconduct towards any member of the school community
- Swears at or is personally insulting to a member of staff
- Makes an unprovoked physical assault on another pupil
- Uses audio or visual recordings of members of the school community in a way which could be construed as harassment, bullying or an invasion on their privacy
- Refuses to obey a reasonable instruction from the Headteacher
- A child displays harmful sexual behaviour
- A child uses racist, sexist or homophobic bigoted language
In cases of extreme behaviour where a child is deemed to be a danger to themselves and others this may result in an exclusion.
Committee Terms of Reference
Full Governing Body
Terms of Reference
Strategic Leadership and Accountability:
- In collaboration with school leaders determine a clear and explicit vision for the future. Ensure this is communicated to the whole organisation.
- Set strong and clear values and ensure these are embedded across the organisation and adhered to.
- Determine the strategic direction for the school.
- Monitor and evaluate pupil progress and attainment by receiving reports and information from the Headteacher and other school leaders; compare against national and local benchmarks over time.
- Receive reports from committees, working parties or individuals and agree actions.
- Approve the SEF and monitor throughout the year.
- Approve the School Improvement Plan priorities and monitor throughout the year progress towards agreed actions.
- Ensure there is a transparent system for performance management of all staff which is clearly linked to the school’s priorities.
- Ensure there are mechanisms in place to listen to and respond to the views of parents/carers, pupils, staff, local communities and employers.
- Agree recruitment process to be followed in relation to Headteacher and Deputy Headteacher posts; where delegated ratify appointments.
- Final approval of the annual budget plan.
- Monitor the school’s budget throughout the year.
- Agree virement and expenditure limits for the Headteacher.
- Hold at least 3 meetings each academic year. Ensure that committee meetings are held in accordance with the agreed terms of reference.
People and Structures:
- Elect and/or remove Chair of Governors and Vice Chair of Governors.
- Appoint Committee Chairs or delegate to each committee.
- Consider and agree delegation of functions to individuals or committees.
- Agree committee terms of reference and membership.
- Ensure Governors information on the Get Information About Schools (GIAS) register and the school website is up to date and compliant with current requirements.
- Confirm the Instrument of Government and subsequent amendments.
- Appoint Co-opted, Local Authority and where necessary Parent Governors to the Board.
- Review and monitor the Governor Induction Process.
- Have regard for Governors professional development.
- Where necessary, suspend or remove Governors from the Board.
Compliance and Evaluation:
- Ensure all statutory policies are in place and there is an effective policy review cycle.
- Review and agree the Governor Code of Conduct.
- Confirm arrangements for completion of a Governor Skills Audit.
- Ensure there is regular self-evaluation and review of individual’s contribution to the Board as well as the Board’s overall operation and effectiveness.
- As necessary, consider an external review of the Board’s effectiveness.
- Ensure school website is up to date and compliant with current DfE requirements.
School Life including Curriculum Committee
- 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 Equality Act and that arrangements are made to ensure the policy is monitored and reviewed regularly. The policy is known to parents and carers.
- 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 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 PHSE and that parents are told of their right to withdraw their child.
- Ensure the effective integration of children with SEN.
- 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” and Keeping Children Safe in Education.
- Anti-Bullying and Behaviour Policies.
- 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.
- Conduct the school with a view to promoting high standards of education achievement.
- Set targets for achievement at 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.
- 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 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Act as Pupil Discipline Committee for Permanent/Fixed Term exclusions.
Personnel Committee
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.
Headteacher’s Performance Review Committee
Terms of Reference:
- To arrange to meet with the 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.
Hearings/First Committee (incorporating Pay Review)
Terms of Reference:
- To make any decisions under the personnel procedures adopted by the Governing Body, e.g. disciplinary, 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.
- To act in accordance with the Whole School Pay Policy adopted by the Governing Body to include matters relating to: teaching and learning responsibility payments, SEN (Special Educational Needs) allowances, recruitment and retention payments, points for previous experience, bursaries, regradings.
- To report to the Finance Committee on Pay Review-related expenditure.
Appeals Committee
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, pay review etc).
- To consider any appeal against selection for redundancy.
Admissions Committee
Terms of Reference:
- To determine within statutory provisions and the Governing Body policy whether any child shall be admitted to the school.
- To review admission arrangements and to make recommendations for changes to the Governing Body.
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 the Headteacher as above for:
- Permanent teaching staff posts
- Permanent support staff posts
- Temporary staff
Dismissals: Governing Body delegates to Headteacher responsibility for up to and including first written warning/first and final warning:
- All staff other than Headteacher, unless exceptional circumstances exist
- Headteacher to a committee of the Governing Body
Governing Body delegates to the Hearings/First Committee for the dismissal of all staff unless exceptional circumstance exist.
Virement & Expenditure Limits
| Virement Limits | Expenditure Limits | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Limit set for Headteacher without prior written approval of Chair or Governing Body | £5,000 | Any items of expenditure up to | £5,000 |
| Limit set for Headteacher with approval from Chair of Governors | £5,000 to £10,000 | 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. | |||
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