Middleton St Mary's CE (VC) Primary School

Governing Board Information

Middleton St Mary's Governing Board are committed to working closely with parent/carers, all children and staff to ensure that your child has the opportunity to succeed. As a school we strive to offer a secure and stimulating environment that meets the needs of all our pupils. We acknowledge the importance of strong parent/carer and community links and recognise parent/carers as vital partners in their child’s education.

As governors we visit the school on a regular basis, attend meetings and take part in school events throughout the school year. Part of our task is to ensure that the school achieves the highest standards in all aspects of school life, academic, non-academic, extra curricular and pastoral.

In January, the Governing Board took the decision to establish a Joint Review Group (JRG). A JRG is a Leeds Local Authority initiative to strengthen the effectiveness of leadership and management including governance of maintained schools, so that outcomes for pupils are improved.

The Joint Review Group

The JRG consists of the Local Authority, the Chair of Goverors and the Headteacher: 

What do Governors do?

School governors provide strategic leadership and accountability in schools. Governors appoint the head teacher and deputy head teacher. In some schools the site is owned by the governing body. It is governors who hold the main responsibility for finance in schools, and it is governors who work with the headteacher to make the tough decisions about balancing resources.

Each individual governor is a member of a governing body, which is established in law as a corporate body. Individual governors may not act independently of the rest of the governing board. Decisions are the joint responsibility of the governing board.

The role of the governing board is a strategic one, its key functions are to:

• set the aims and objectives for the school
• set the policies for achieving those aims and objectives
• set the targets for achieving those aims and objectives
• monitor and evaluate the progress the school is making towards achievement of its aims and objectives
• be a source of challenge and support to the head teacher (a critical friend)

The Headteacher is responsible for the internal organisation, management and control of the school and the implementation of the strategic framework established by the governing board.

The Full Governing Board (FGB) currently meet 8 times per year. A Joint Review Group (JRG) including members of the Governing Board, the Local Authority and Diocese meet 6 times per year to provide further support and challenge school leaders with a particular focus on attainment and progress data. 

 National Governance Association

The Full Governing Board Members

Pen Portraits

Liz Singleton - Chair of the Governing Board and the Teaching & Learning Committee

Liz joins us, as a co-opted governor and Chair of the Governing Board, with significant experience in education over the last 35 years. Having been a teacher, school improvement professional, OFSTED inspector and governor at several schools she is well placed to support our school as we journey to becoming a great school within our local community.

Recently retired, Liz volunteers as a Leeds Local Leader of Governance to support and develop the skills of school governors.

Naomi Wood - Headteacher

Andrea Render - Foundation Representative and Chair of the Resources Committee

Andrea's connections to the school go back over 30 years when her own sons started school at Middleton St Mary's, to the present day as her grandchildren now attend.

For many years Andrea worked within the banking sector, so  brings financial and team working expertise to the Governing Board. She was a governor, and vice-chair of governors for several years at a previous middle school, so I understand the level of commitment required for anyone taking on this role. She have been involved in visiting school on a day to day basis, at school events and visits, and really enjoys making personal connections with the staff and pupils

Andrea attends St Mary’s church, and is Churchwarden, has close ties to the community and works with the school to forge stronger links between school and church.

Sam Golia - Associate Member

Senior Primary School Improvement Advisor – Sam’s career has spanned over 10 years and across 5 authorities, - both in a multi-academy trust and the local authority. During that time Sam has had a range of roles from being a moderator, an SLE, assessment lead, mentor and coach to NQTS, English Lead, Assistant Headteacher,  Headteacher and school improvement advisor across the school systems. During that time Sam has affected and sustained change and improved outcomes for all learners.

Billy Waters - Co-opted Member  

Billy has joined the JRG as a co-opted member. He currently works as an Assistant Headteacher at St Bartholomew's C of E Primary School in Armley. He has 9 years experience working within education, and leads on: Phase leadership and development, Curriculum and Child Protection in his current role. As a part of the school's senior leadership team, he is responsible for a lot of the shared decision making and daily running of a large inner city primary school. 

Paul Truswell - Local Authority Governor

"I am a Local Councillor for Middleton Park Ward and have been a Local Authority nominated Governor since September 2012.

I have a passionate belief in the value and importance of education. I see my role as working as part of the Governing Body team to ensure the school uses its human and physical resources to provide the best possible educational experience for the young people who come through its doors. As someone from a working-class background, I know my own primary school played an absolutely vital role in providing a foundation that served me for the rest of my life. My two sons, though now in their twenties, have both been through the Leeds education system, and I understand as a parent the expectations we place on schools. In the past I have worked in the private sector, as well as in the NHS and Social Services. As a local "Health Champion" I want to help to ensure our school does its utmost to address inequalities and to promote the physical, mental and social well-being of our young people.

I have served as a school governor for several periods since 1982. I hope that this - and my local knowledge and experience as a Councillor - has equipped me with the skills to provide a useful contribution in helping our school to fulfill its responsibilities to our young people, their families and the wider community."

Suzanne Aston - Associate Governor 

Suzanne has been the Assistant Head for Inclusion  at Middleton St Mary’s since September 2016 and she has been recently appointed joint Deputy Head (May 2020). She has previously taught across the primary age range and in specialist provision. Suzanne is a mum and grandma and feels that this gives a different insight into school life as we all want the very best for our children. "Middleton St Mary’s school community has a great big heart and I absolutely adore being part of it. I am passionate about the inclusion and well being of all our families and it is a huge privilege to be part of a governing board and staff team who share this commitment."

Claire Wood - Staff Governor

Claire joined the governing board in March 2020. She joined the school in September 2018 as one of our Year 6 teachers, having previously had experience of teaching Upper and Lower Key Stage 2 children in Manchester schools, including 6 years at a Church of England school in Oldham.

In September 2019, Claire was successfully appointed as Phase Leader for Year 5/6 with a responsibility for leading English across the school. More recently, Claire has been appointed as an Assistant Head. With a degree in English Language, she has a passion for reading and writing and is dedicated to improving standards at Middleton St Mary’s. Claire brings a strong understanding of the demands of the primary curriculum and teaching and learning at St Mary’s. 

Tracy Clepham - Co-opted Governor

Tracy joined the governing board this summer.

More information to follow.

Kerry Bickerdike - Parent Governor

Kerry joined the governing board this summer. 

More information to follow.

Dawn Clough - Co-opted Governor

Dawn joined the governing board this summer.

More information to follow.

VACANCY - Parent Governor   

VACANCY - Ex-Officio

Annual Statement

Governor Interests and Attendance