Our Governors
The Priory Primary School is a maintained voluntary-aided Church of England School. This means that, while we are supported by Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Local Authority and the Diocese of Winchester Education Board, our Governing body is ultimately responsible for the strategic direction of the school.
Each governor is responsible for contributing to the Governing body’s discussions and in meeting its three core functions. The Governing Body is legally accountable and must operate in the best interests of the school.
The task of the Governing Body is to lead the school strategically, focusing on 3 core functions:
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Ensuring clarity of the vision, ethos and strategic direction.
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Holding the executive leaders to account for the educational performance of the school and its pupils and the effectiveness and efficient performance management of staff.
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Overseeing the financial performance of the organisation and making sure its money is well spent.
The Governing Body meets in full and does not currently have sub-committees. Governors have areas of responsibility where they support and oversee the activities of the school. The current areas of responsibility are detailed here.
Governor Roles
01
Parent Governor
Parent Governors are elected by other parents at the school, except in certain circumstances where they are appointed by the Governing body, for instance, when the number of vacancies is greater than the number of parents standing for election. Any parent or person with parental responsibility, or a carer, of a registered pupil at the school at the time of election can stand as a parent governor. Parent governors can remain in office until the end of their term of office, even if their child leaves the school. The role of the parent governor is not a spokesperson for the views of parents. They are the same as any other governor on the body, providing a ‘parental viewpoint’, i.e. representative of parents rather than the representative of parents.
03
Staff Governor
Teaching and support staff who are employed to work at the school under contract of employment, at the time of election, are eligible to stand for election to the Governing body. Their role will end either at the end of their term of office, of if they leave the school. The role of a staff governor is the same as any other governor, strategic leadership and holding the Headteacher to account but also includes providing a ‘staff viewpoint’. It is important for prospective staff governors to fully understand the role prior to appointment. Staff governors are not a spokesperson for the views of all staff.
05
Co-opted Governor
Co-opted governors are appointed by the Governing body. They are people who in the opinion of the Governing body, have the skills and experience required to contribute to effective governance and success of the school. Those eligible to be staff governors can be co-opted governors. Co-opted governors act in the best interests of the school and wider community but should not be required by others, such as the appointing Governing body or community, to take a particular stance on issues discussed at Governing body meetings.
02
Headteacher Governor
The Headteacher is a governor by default, although they do not have to take up the role. They can resign from their governor role. The role of the Headteacher is to implement the strategic framework established by the Governing body, which they will help develop as a member of the Governing body. The Headteacher is responsible for the operational and day-to-day running of the school. One of the Headteacher’s responsibilities it to provide information to the Governing body so that it can meet its three core objectives.
04
Local Authority Governor
A (LA) Local Authority Governor is nominated by their LA to the Governing Body. A LA Governor is representative of the Local Authority and is the same as any other governor; they provide an ‘LA viewpoint’ and they should participate in the same way as other governors. They are not required to be affiliated to a political party, although they should be aware of local issues.
06
Foundation Governor
Foundation Governors are either appointed or take the role by virtue of an office that they hold (ex-officio), e.g. the local vicar. Where appointed, foundation governors in the school are appointed by the Winchester Diocesan Board of Education after consultation with the Parochial Church Council of Priory Church, Christchurch. Foundation Governors are appointed to secure compliance with the school’s trust deed and to preserve and develop the religious character of the school.
Sarah Richardson
Headteacher (By Appointment)
September 2023 -
Father Charles
Foundation Governor (Ex-Officio; Priory Church)
October 2015 -
Tim Hewitt
Foundation Governor
July 2023 - July 2027
Sally Hawkridge
Local Authority Governor (BCP Council)
August 2021 - August 2025
Kay Towler
Clerk
May 2019 -
Geoff Tabor
Chair of Governors
Elected September 2022
Foundation Governor
July 2021 - July 2025
Anita Penny
Foundation Governor
May 2023 - May 2027
Genevieve Ross
Foundation Governor
July 2023 - July 2027
Jenna Field
Staff Governor
September 2020 - August 2024
Matthew McLean
Associate Governor (Voting Rights Only at General Meetings) (By Appointment)
September 2023 -
Dom Jones
Vice-Chair of Governors
Elected September 2022
Foundation Governor (DEC)
May 2021 - May 2025
Suzanne Gosling
Foundation Governor
May 2021 - May 2025
Simon Earl
Foundation Governor
May 2021 - May 2025
Leonie Hurrell
Parent Governor
July 2023 - July 2027
Natasha Halliwell
Parent Governor
October 2023 - October 2027
Other Recent Governors
The following governors have stepped down within the last three years:
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Barbara Robertson (Foundation Governor; - July 2023)
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Sarah Andrews (Parent Governor; - July 2023)
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Sue Solly (Foundation Governor & Chair of Governors; September 1998 - July 2022)
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Kate Woodhead (Foundation Governor; November 2020 - May 2022)
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Lisa Blackburn (Local Authority Governor; September 2020 - August 2021)
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Jamie Ward (Parent Governor; March 2017 - July 2021)
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Jonathan Evans (Foundation Governor; February 2020 - January 2021)
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Gerald Crabb RIP (Foundation Governor & Vice-Chair of Governors; November 2016 - November 2020)
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Simon Croutear (Staff & Associate Governor; September 2020 - December 2020)
Key Documents
Please find below key documents related to our governing body:
Terms of Reference
Register of Business and Financial Interests
Attendance Record