Governors

 

The role of the Governing Body at any school is to support and challenge the way the school is led and managed as well as providing the best possible education to every pupil. Our Governing Body is no exception. 


The Governors are a team of people with a wide range of personal and professional experiences, knowledge and skills. The body provides strategic leadership for the school and have a general responsibility for the effective management. We aim to be a diverse and committed team of parents, community members and staff representatives. 

 

What are the Governors here to do?

The three core functions of our Governing Body are: 

  • Setting the school vision. 
  • Holding the Headteacher to account for the school's performance.
  • Ensuring our money is well spent. 

 

How often do the Governors meet? 

  •  Full Governing Body (FGB)  

   All Governors meet together as one whole team. Governors from each committee feedback from the previous meetings; policies are agreed and statutory documents are discussed and approved.  

  • Pupils Committee 

         Governors who are responsible for pupil welfare; policies; SEND; attendance and safeguarding. 

  • Teaching and Learning Committee Governors who are responsible for target setting; standards and achievement; SEND; monitoring of curriculum and teaching and learning.   
    • Resources Committee 

             Governors who are responsible for finance, including school budget; staffing , including pay; property management and health and safety. 

     

    Interested in becoming a Governor?

    We have a vacancy on our Governing board for a parent Governor. Please contact headteacher@swarcliffeprimary.co.uk or a.froud@swarcliffeprimary.co.uk to find out more.

    Governor Profiles 

    Debra Hill 

    Headteacher 

     Ex-officio 

     2013 - present 

     

     

     

    Alison Froud

    Chair of Governors 

    2016 - present 

    I have been Chair of Governors at Swarcliffe Primary School since 2017. As the chair of the governing body, my main role is to lead and direct the board of Governors to ensure that we function effectively to meet our core functions. These core functions are to ensure clarity of vision in the ethos and strategic direction of the school; to hold the senior leaders to account for the educational performance of the pupils; and to make sure our school funds are well spent. 

    I love meeting and working with all of the children and visit school regularly. Over the last few years, I have got to know quite a lot of them! 

    I am a solicitor by profession but have not worked now for a number of years while I have been raising my own family. I am a mum to two sons. 

    Jatinder Ubhi 

    Co-opted Governor 

    2019 - present 

    I am delighted to have been selected as a Co-opted Governor for Swarcliffe Primary School and Nursery. I currently teach in both KS1 and KS2, in a primary school, close to Leeds City Centre. I have also taught in other schools across the UK and therefore have different ideas to share with the school. I understand the importance of ensuring all children are given the best possible opportunities and experiences to thrive in school. 

    My role as a Governor, I will be part of the Teaching and Learning Committee. I hope to utilise my own teaching experience to help the school to continue to evolve and provide children with the best possible opportunities to reach their full potential. I am passionate about providing children with a rich and stimulating curriculum so the children are inspired to pursue their interests and ambitions both inside and outside of school. I am looking forward to working alongside the whole school community. 

     

    Kay Carey 

    Co-opted Governor 

    2020 - present 

    I've worked in school for over 25 in the Early years. My roles have varied over the years from Nursery nurse, Nursery Manager and now Speech and language from Nursery to Year 1. I endeavour to make all the children I work with feel valued and respected. I believe passionately that all children have the right to be the best that they can be and it is my role to encourage this. I became a co-opted governor in April 2020 for the resources team. I enjoy my role and am committed to ensuring the children have everything they need to help them achieve their full potential.

    Alison Scott

    Co-opted Governor 

    2023 - present 

    I retired last year after a 35 year teaching career in primary education. I became a Co-opted Governor in May 2023 and I am delighted to join the Governing Body of this fantastic school. I am part of the Teaching and Learning Committee and look forward to working to ensure that all the children at Swarcliffe Primary have the best opportunities to become the best they can be. 

    Since retiring, I have been able to develop my interest in gardening, reading and being more active. 

    Emma Wingfield 

    Parent Governor 

    2023 - present 

    I am very pleased to have the opportunity to support the school as a parent governor. As my daughter attends the school, I am keen to help the school continually develop and support the children.

    I have worked in education for 13 years, and have a lot of experience in pastoral care, including safeguarding, attendance and inclusion. I am currently on the Senior Leadership Team at an inner-city secondary school as a Designated Safeguarding Lead. I hope that as the chair of the Pupils committee I can use my experience to support the Senior Leaders at Swarcliffe Primary School in ensuring that all children have access to a secure learning environment in which they can access a full and rewarding curriculum, as well as learning vital life skills.

    Kimberly Green 

    Deputy Headteacher 

    Associate Member 

    I love being part of the team at Swarcliffe Primary School and I'm extremely proud of the opportunities and experiences we provide to all our pupils. I began working here in 2012 as Literacy Lead and have had many roles since including: Phase Leader, Lead Practitioner and now Deputy Head (since 2016). Before working at Swarcliffe, I worked in Kirklees for 3 and a half years and, throughout my career, I have taught in KS1 and KS2. 

    I am very passionate about giving children the best possible education and providing as many different and exciting opportunities as we can to prepare them for life-long learning. My aim is to ensure children leave Swarcliffe Primary School as well-rounded citizens who are well-prepared  for their next stage in life. I have high expectations of myself, colleagues and children meaning children at our school receive the highest level of education, making Swarcliffe a great place to learn. 

    What is the Governing Body responsible for?

    (This information is taken from Leeds City Council Governor Support Services)

    Primary School Governing Bodies have a range of responsibilities as a consequence of the Education Acts:

    *to help to decide school policy for management of the school with the Headteacher and act as a link between the school and the local community
    *to monitor the progress of a post Ofsted Action Plan and the School Improvement Plan
    * to set appropriate targets for pupil achievement at Key Stage Two
    * to ensure that all children make progress in their personal development and wellbeing (Stay Safe, Be Healthy, Enjoy & Achieve, Make a positive contribution, Achieve economic wellbeing)
    * to ensure that the curriculum for the school is balanced and broadly based and that the National Curriculum and religious education are taught
    * to ensure that special education needs are met
    * to manage the school budget
    * to determine the staffing of the school and pay policy and make decisions about pay in accordance with the School Teachers' Pay and Conditions of Employment document
    * to recruit and dismiss staff employed at the school
    * to participate in the appointment of the Headteacher
    * to ensure provision of a performance management policy and to set performance objectives for the Headteacher
    * to listen to complaints from parents
    * to hear appeals from parents when pupils are excluded from school
    * to decide the start and finish times of the school
    * to make sure the school is safe and healthy