Governors

The Governing Body

 Welcome to the Governors’ page

As a Governing body we are committed to making a positive contribution to the school and your children’s education, both their learning and wellbeing. We seek to support the school community as a whole, pupils, staff and parents and maintain strong links with our local community - St Bartholomew Church and Albourne village. We share the school’s vision and values and this informs our priorities and decisions. 

All Governors are volunteers and our governing body includes representatives from parents, staff, the local community, the Local Authority and Diocese. 

 

What do we do?

  • We are strategic
  • We act as a critical friend in the development of the school
  • We hold the school to account and as a governing body are accountable to the whole school community
Our specific roles are to:
  • Set a clear vision, ethos and strategic direction of the school
  • Work with the headteacher, Mrs Claxton, to promote and maintain high quality education for all our pupils 
  • As a Governing body, to hold the headteacher to account for the educational performance of the pupils and the performance management of staff
  • Ensure final oversight of the financial performance of the school and the effective use of school resources

Our Governors have a range of backgrounds and skills, including business and education, and this enables us to be effective as a governing body. 

Individual Governors have no power or responsibility. It is only the full governing body that has legal duties and powers. However, all Governors share in that corporate responsibility. 

The school's direction is agreed by the Governing body, Headteacher and Senior Leadership Team, who also make sure the school is meeting its targets.

The Headteacher and staff manage the school on a day-to-day basis.

The Governors meet six times a year for full Governing body meetings. These meetings cover all matters of governance. Our flat structure removes the need for sub-committees. Working parties are actioned as necessary to address specific areas. Regular training enables governors to keep up to date with current thinking in education and church schools. Each Governor takes on a specific monitoring role for different aspects of school governance. Governors are also part of various working parties during the year; this shares the workload and helps us to be more effective.

We welcome your feedback about the school and if you have any queries about our role or require further information, please do not hesitate to speak with us or our Clerk to Governors – Yudi Irvine, via the school office or clerk@albournecep.co.uk  

 

Gill Bradnam - Chair of Governors

 The Chair can be contacted via the Clerk as above.

 

Gill Bradnam - Chair of Governors
As Chair of Governors I am committed to working with my fellow governors, the headteacher and the school to: ensure high quality all round education for all our children, so that they can succeed in school and in the future; prioritise the needs of vulnerable pupils; support the wellbeing of pupils, staff and governors and encourage opportunities for the spiritual development of all in our school community.

My background is in education. I am an Educational Consultant, a former headteacher and Section 48/SIAMS inspector; with experience across all phases of education. I have been a school governor for over 15 years.

 

Nargis Miah -  Governor

 

 

Ruth Schofield - Co-opted Governor
I became a Co-opted Governor early in 2020. I am keen to offer my experience of 40 years in primary education to further support this successful school. I was a class teacher for 28 years, both here and in International Schools abroad. I was Headteacher of a school in West Sussex for 12 years. Since I retired, I have continued to be involved in training the next generation of teachers.
 
Louise Whitmore - Parent Governor
I became a parent governor in Autumn 2020. I have two children at Albourne and I want to play a greater role in supporting the development of this wonderful school. I’ve taught History for nearly 20 years in a sixth form college and also secondary schools. I feel I am in a good position to not only use my knowledge and perspective as a parent but also have a real understanding of working in a school. I am currently taking a career break but continue to work as an A level examiner.
 
Sophie Jupp - Parent Governor
I became a parent governor in Autumn 2020. I currently have two children at Albourne (one in key stage 1 and one in key stage 2 of the school). I have worked in the Financial services sector since finishing university and continue to do so. I volunteered to take on this role as I wanted to help and support the school. I have a big passion for the outdoors, sport and education. I hope to bring a working parent's perspective to the team. I am very much looking forward to helping all the children currently and in the years to come have the most positive school experience.