Sea Lane, Worthing, West Sussex, BN12 5DU

office@ferring.w-sussex.sch.uk

01903 243945

Ferring Church of England Primary School

An Inspiring Place to Grow, Believe and Achieve

Governors

 

Governing Body Vision for Ferring CE School

There should be expectation of the highest possible achievement and attainment for all children, as a result of consistently good/ outstanding teaching of a broad balanced curriculum enriched by extra curricular activities. This will be achieved, in part, by the children's good behaviour and attitudes to learning which should be taught, modelled and expected.

Within the principles of inclusion and equality, underpinned by our Christian beliefs and values, children will feel safe and well prepared for life in modern Britain.

Our children will learn within a safe, stimulating environment which is well resourced and led by motivated and effective staff.

Children will benefit from the school's strong relationship with all stakeholders and collaborative locality working with other schools.

 

MEMBERSHIP OF GOVERNING BODY

Headteacher (ex officio):  1 x governor

Ms. Naomi Welsh
Start date: 1 September 2021

Staff Governor (elected by staff): 1 x governor

Mrs. Jennie Teakle
Start date: 27 January 2021
(current 4-year term of office ends 26 January 2025)

Foundation Governors (appointed by the Diocese): 3 x governors

Mrs Sue Pratt
Start date: 1 January 1989

(current 4-year term of office ends 31 Aug. 2025)

Rev. Shirley Tupper (ex officio)
Start Date: 9 February 2023

(currently 1 vacancy)

 

Parent Governors (elected by parents): 2 x governors

Mr. Mark Gatenby
Start date: 30 September 2021

(current 4-year term of office ends 29 Sept. 2025)

Mrs. Dawn Kennett
Start date: 30 September 2021
(current 4-year term of office ends 29 Sept. 2025)

Local Authority Governor (appointed by West Sussex County Council): 1 x governor

Mrs Jenny Trace* 
Start date: 1 September 2021
(current 4-year term of office ends 31 Aug. 2025,
one year term of office as Chair ends 31 August 2023)
*formerly a Parent Governor

Co-opted Governors (appointed by the Governing Body): 4 x governors

Rev. Robin Brenchley
Start date 12 October 2022
(4-year term of office ends 11 October 2026)

Mr. Peter Byrne
Start date 21 November 2019
(4-year term of office ends 20 Nov. 2023)

Mrs. Karen Godfrey
Start date 12 October 2022
(4-year term of office ends 11 October 2026)

(currently 1 vacancy)

Total membership = 12 governors

The Chair of the Governing Body is Mrs. Jenny Trace
The role of Vice Chair of the Governing Body is currently vacant
The Chair can be contacted via the school

 

The governing body has established working groups/ committees as follows:

Ethos: Jennie Teakle (chair), Karen Godfrey, Sue Pratt, Rev Robin Brenchley, Rev Shirley Tupper

Leadership and Management /Teaching and Learning: Pete Byrne (chair), Jen Trace, Mark Gatenby, Dawn Kennet

Finance and premises: Dawn Kennett, Sue Pratt

Naomi Welsh joins all as Headteacher 

 

Declarations as at 1 September 2022

Other Governorships: Mr. Peter Byrne (Co-Opted Governor) is also Headteacher and Governor at St Oscar Romero (formerly Chatsmore Catholic High School) in Worthing.

Pecuniary Interests: None.

Relationships between Staff and Governors: None.

Attendances at Full Governing Body Meetings in the academic year 2021-22

Peter Byrne: 6 out of 6
Aimee Esswood (Co-opted Governor, end of term of office = 31 August 2022): 5 out of 6
Mark Gatenby: 6 out of 6
Rev. Gary Ingram Ex Officio Foundation Governor, retired 4 September 2022): 5 out of 6
Dawn Kennett: 6 out of 6
Sue Pratt: 6 out of 6
Rev. Stuart Robinson (Co-opted Governor, end of term of office = 31 August 2022): 6 out of 6
Chris Silk (Co-opted Governor, end of term of office = 31 August 2022): 4 out of 6
Jennie Teakle: 6 out of 6
Jenny Trace: 5 out of 6
Naomi Welsh: 6 out of 6

Click here for the Governing Body Impact Statement 2021-22

Particular Areas of Responsibility

 NB: Ethos incorporates Safeguarding, Personal Development, Behaviour and Attitudes

Naomi Welsh: All areas
Sue Pratt: Child Protection/Safeguarding Lead Governor, Worship, Ethos, Finance/Premises

Jenny Trace: Leadership & Management/Quality of Education, Health & Safety, Finance/Premises
Peter Byrne: Leadership & Management/Quality of Education
Jenny Teakle: Ethos, Worship
Dawn Kennett: Ethos, Finance/Premises, Termly Web Site Audit
Mark Gatenby: Special Education Needs and Pupil Premium Lead Governor, Leadership & Management/Quality of Education
Rev. Shirley Tupper: Ethos, Worship

Why become a Governor?

What qualifications do Governors need?

What do Governors do?

Term of Office

What kinds of help and support will be available?

How do I express an interest in becoming a Governor?

WHY BECOME A GOVERNOR?

Because:

You care about the education children receive
You want to make an important contribution to your local community
You enjoy a challenging and rewarding role
You are keen to help all children do better at school
You want to help strengthen the link between schools and their communities


WHAT QUALIFICATIONS DO GOVERNORS NEED?

There are no formal qualifications, either academic or otherwise, needed to become a school governor. The one essential requirement is an interest in, and commitment to, the education of children. Governors have to be over 18 years of age.

Governors are ordinary people, drawn from many areas of society. They need to be able to devote time to getting to know the school well and be available to support it.

A governor must be a good listener, and someone who is able to read and assimilate information easily. A governor must be able to:

Raise questions and to participate in discussion and decision-making
Be discreet, open minded and fair
Be a source of ideas and a good communicator
Be enthusiastic about the work of the school
Be prepared to participate in its life


WHAT DO GOVERNORS DO?

Governors play an important part in overseeing the running of the school in the interests of the community it serves. Individual governors have no power or responsibility. It is only the full governing body which has legal duties and powers. All governors share in that corporate responsibility. The day-to-day management of the school is the responsibility of the headteacher and staff. The philosophy for running the school is a shared responsibility worked out by common consent.

Governors govern rather than manage. They are there to give direction and focus by performing a vital strategic role. Governors work with the headteacher making decisions about, for example, educational standards and targets, finance, staffing, and policies.

TERM OF OFFICE

The usual term of office is four years. However, governors are volunteers who can leave at any time and can similarly be re-appointed or re-elected. Governors can be disqualified for failing to attend a main meeting of the governing body for six months from the date of the first meeting missed.

WHAT KINDS OF HELP AND SUPPORT WILL BE AVAILABLE?

A great deal of professional advice and support is available to help governors with their duties and responsibilities, and all new governors are offered an induction course.

HOW DO I EXPRESS AN INTEREST IN BECOMING A GOVERNOR?

Get in touch with our headteacher or chair of governors.
Have a look at the West Sussex County Council website and search for 'Governors'.