Our Governing Body - Kirk Merrington Primary School

Governing Body Committee Structure

Governors work closely with headteachers, school staff and representatives from the local authority (LA). For further information on who our governors are and what they do, please click on each name below:

Name	Representing	Term of Office Start Date	Term of Office End Date	Committee	Responsibilities	Register of Interests	Relationship to Staff
Nicola Murray - Headteacher	Staff			Curriculum Standards Finance Premises Staffing		None	None
Anne Geary	Co-opted Governor	November 2021	November 2025	Curriculum s First / Pay Review (Chair) Headteachers Performance	EYFS Reading Pupil Premium	None	None
Pippa Procter - Chair of Governors	Parent	October 2021	October 2025	Headteacher's Performance Finance Curriculum Appeals	Attendance Governor Training Safeguarding (inc.filtering)	Course Director of Durham SCITT.	None
Leanne Knight - Chair of Resources	Parent	June 2022	June 2026	Curriculum Finance (Resources)	Oracy	None	None
Cath Sewell	Co-opted Governor	May 2022	May 2026	Curriculum	Wellbeing Writing Staff CPD	None	None
Jennifer Gilling - Vice Chair	Co-opted Governor	Nov 2022	Nov 2026	Curriculum Appeals	SEND Looked after children	None	None
Andy Senior	Parent	May 2023	May 2027	Curriculum Finance (Resources)	Website Equalities Health and Safety	None	None
Sarah Bell	Staff Governor	Nov 2023	Nov 2027	Curriculum	Training and Development	None	None
Lucy Downham	Parent	Feb 2024	Feb 2028	Curriculum First/Pay Review	Parental Engagement Online safety	None	None
Jason Maddison	Parent	Nov 2024	Nov 2028	Curriculum Finance (Resources)	Sports Premium GDPR	None	None

The Key Roles and Responsibilities

The key role of the Governing Body is to help the school provide the best possible education for our pupils. Members of the Governing Body play a critical role in guiding, supporting and challenging our school. Three guiding principles of the Governing Body are to:

Ensure clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction;
Hold Head Teachers to account for the educational performance of the school and pupils and the performance management of staff; and
Oversee the financial performance of the school and making sure it is money well spent.

The usual terms of office is 4 years, although in accordance with the Articles any Governor can be re-appointed or re-elected at the end of their term.

Statutory Guidance for Governing Bodies

Kirk Merrington Primary School adhere to the statutory guidance from the Department for Education. This means that governing bodies must have regard to it when carrying out duties relating to the constitution of governing bodies in maintained schools. For further information please view or download the full document below.

The Constitution of Governing Bodies of Maintained Schools (2017)

Governor Code of Conduct

All members of the Governing Body must adhere to the Code of Conduct. This is to ensure that they fulfil their responsibilities effectively and without bringing the Governing Body into disrepute.

Code of Conduct

How To Become A School Governor

If you require further information on the roles and responsibilities of School Governors or you are interested in becoming one, visit the Durham County Council website School Governor section or the School Governor Online Support Service website.

Governor Attendance

Schools are now required to display a record of Governor attendance at meetings for each school academic year.

KEY
✓ – Attended meeting
A/A – Apologies sent and accepted by meeting
N – Did not attend
X – Not a member of the committee

Record of Attendance 2025 -2026

Name	Curriculum meeting	Finance meeting	Pay Review meeting	Full Governing Body meeting	Finance meeting	Curriculum meeting	Equality training	Full Governing Body meeting	Curriculum meeting	Full Governing Body meeting
Mrs A Geary
Mrs N Murray
Mrs P Procter
Ms L Knight
Ms C Sewell
Dr J Gilling
Mr A Senior
Mrs S Bell
Mr J Maddison

Archived Attendance
You can also view previous years attendance on our website.

Committee Terms of Reference

Full Governing Body

CHAIR: P Procter

VICE CHAIR: C Sewell

Terms of Reference

Strategic Leadership and Accountability:

Work with school leaders to set a clear vision with a focus on pupil progress, achievement and wellbeing. Ensure this is communicated to the whole organisation and reviewed regularly.
Set the values for the organisation and ensure these are embedded throughout the organisation and adhered to.
Determine the strategic direction for the schoo
Monitor that school leaders are keeping up with their statutory duties in relation to the maintenance of the Single Central Record.
Monitor and evaluate pupil progress and attainment by receiving reports and information from the Headteacher and other school leaders; compare against national and local benchmarks over time.
Receive reports from committees, working parties or individuals and agree action
Approve the School Evaluation Form and monitor throughout the year.
Approve the School Improvement Plan priorities and monitor throughout the year progress towards agreed action
Review and agree the school’s Business Continuity Plan annually.
Ensure the wellbeing of staff and that staff workload is managed.
Ensure there is a transparent system for performance management of all staff which is clearly linked to the school’s priorities. Have oversight of staff performance throughout the year.
Ensure there are mechanisms in place to listen to and respond to the views of parents/carers, pupils, staff, local communities and employer
Agree recruitment process to be followed in relation to Senior Leader posts; where delegated ratify appointments.
Final approval of the annual budget plan.
Monitor the school’s budget throughout the year.
Agree expenditure limits for the Headteacher.
Hold at least 3 meetings each academic year. Ensure that committee meetings are held in accordance with the agreed terms of reference.

People and Governance Structures:

Elect and/or remove Chair of Governors and Vice Chair of Governor
Appoint Committee Chairs or delegate to each committee.
Consider and agree delegation of functions to individuals or committees.
Agree committee terms of reference and membership.
Establish a register of Governors business interests
Ensure Governors information on the Get Information About Schools register and the school website is up to date and compliant with current requirements.
Confirm the Instrument of Government and subsequent amendments.
Appoint Co-opted, Local Authority and where necessary Parent Governors to the Board.
Review and monitor the Governor Induction Process.
Have regard for Governors professional development.
Where necessary, suspend or remove Governors from the Board.
Appoint/dismiss the Clerk to the Governing Board.

RESOURCES COMMITTEE

Terms of Reference

Finance:

Elect Chair.
Review and agree the first formal budget plan of the financial year for approval by the full Governing Board.
Establish and maintain an up-to-date three year budget plan, taking into account priorities in the School Improvement Plan, roll projection and signals from central Government and the Local Authority regarding future years’ budget.
Ensure that priorities detailed within the School Improvement Plan are appropriately costed and are reflected in the annual budget.
Monitor the capital and revenue budget position statements to identify and address any anomalies from the anticipated position and report termly to the full Governing Board.
Review and monitor outstanding debts and action taken.
Review the Quarterly Written Report and Financial Report.
Monitor and authorise expenditure including those over the Headteacher’s delegated limit.
Consider and approve spending decisions where competitive quotations or tenders are required in accordance with the current Contract Procedure Rules.
Ensure the school operates within the financial regulations of the Local Authority and the requirements of the Department for Education Schools Financial Value Standar
Monitor the implementation of any actions identified in the Schools Financial Value Standar
Review Related Party Transaction Register.
Monitor the implementation of any identified actions in the SFVS submission.
Monitor expenditure of all voluntary funds held on behalf of the Governing Board and receive an audited annual statement of income and expenditure.
Annually review the outcomes of the Asset Register Stock Check and approve the disposal of obsolete item
Oversee use and monitor impact of all additional grant funding eg Pupil Premium.
Consider and promote income generation.
Annually review income generated from lettings, fees and charges, fund raising activities and the sale of assets.
Monitor Extended Care provision including review of annual income and expenditure statements where applicable.
Ensure the school has appropriate insurance cover in place.
Annually review and adopt the school’s Financial Procedures Manual and all other finance related policies.
Annually review and make decisions in respect of service level agreements and other contracts and lettings.
Make decisions on expenditure following recommendations from other committee
Ensure as far as is practical that health and safety issues are appropriately funded in accordance with agreed prioritie
Annually review financial benchmarking data.
Monitor the implementation of actions arising from the Internal Audit report or of a financial nature from other inspection regime report
Ensure any instances of fraud or financial irregularity are reported immediately to the Head of Education and Skills and Chief Internal Auditor and Corporate Fraud Manager.

Premises:

- Annually approve the Health and Safety Policy ensuring that the school meets health and safety requirements.
- Ensure actions are taken in respect of relevant health and safety legislation.
- Receive an annual Health and Safety Audit Report and monitor any arising actions.
- Ensure that premises and the learning environment are maintained and are fit for purpose.
- Provide support and guidance for the Headteacher and Governing Board on all matters relating to the maintenance and development of the premises and grounds, including health and safet
- Ensure that an annual inspection of the premises and grounds is undertaken and that priorities for maintenance and development are identified.
- Ensure professional surveys and emergency works are arranged as necessar
- Oversee the use of premises by outside users.
- Annually review the schools Accessibility Plan and Asset Management/ Building Development Plan.
- Receive and consider the recommendations from the annual Energy Report.
- Ensure appropriate Risk Assessments are carried out and reviewed on a regular basis.
- Ensure inspections of the school site, buildings and equipment take place annually and at appropriate intervals and that reports are shared.
- Monitor data on accidents and incidents.

Staffing:

- Carry out an annual review of the staffing structure in consultation with the Headteacher and Resources Committee.
- Ensure the school is sufficiently staffed to fulfil the effective operation of the school and the School Improvement Pla
- Oversee the recruitment and selection procedures for all staff.
- Keep under review work/life balance, working conditions and well-being including monitoring attendance management.
- Ensure that regular monitoring of the Single Central Record is undertaken and that it is up to date and compliant with current statutory expectation
- Ensure that the school’s policy on safeguarding and child protection is compliant with the most recent Keeping Children Safe in Education guidance and Durham Safeguarding Childrens Partnership expectation

MEETINGS At least termly

QUORUM 3

DISQUALIFICATION

where there may be a conflict of or a pecuniary interest.

Delegation to the Headteacher

The School Standards and Framework Act 1998.

The Governing Board can delegate to the Headteacher responsibility for deploying resources, subject to the provisions in the Scheme for the Financing of Schools in County Durham.

Expenditure

Any item of expenditure up to £5000.

Above this limit if item was previously notified to the Governing Board.

Prior Resources Committee or Chair of Governors approval (whichever is the soonest) to be sought outside of these limits and reported to the Resources Committee at the earliest opportunity.

NOTE:

Any goods/services purchased and works to be carried out are subject to the latest Durham County Council Contract Procedures Rules as published on the School Portal.

The School Staffing (England) Regulations 2009.

The Governing Board can delegate the power to appoint outside the leadership group to:

- The Headteacher
- One or more Governors with the right of the Headteacher to advise
- One or more Governors and the Headteacher

Appointments

Governing Board delegates to the Headteacher and one or more Governor responsibility for the appointment of:

- Permanent teaching staff posts
- Permanent support staff posts
- Temporary staff

Dismissals

Governing Board delegates to the Headteacher responsibility in line with the delegation in school Human Resources policies.

CURRICULUM AND STANDARDS COMMITTEE

Terms of Reference

Elect Chair
Strategic direction and statutory areas:
Review, monitor and evaluate the curriculum offer.
Contribute to the development and monitoring of the:

– School Evaluation Form
– School Improvement Plan
– Targets for school improvement

- Develop and review policies identified within the school’s policy review programme and in accordance with its delegated powers (e.g. Relationship, Health and Sex Education and pupil discipline/behaviour).
- Ensure that the school’s policy on Special Educational Needs Development is consistent with the Code of Practice and Equalities Act, most recent Keeping Children Safe in Education updates and receive termly reports from the Headteacher/SENDCo and an annual report from the Special Educational Needs Development Governor.
- Ensure the Special Educational Needs Development Policy is monitored and reviewed regularly and that the policy is known to parents/carer
- Ensure the school complies with the provisions of the Equalities Act 2010.
- Where necessary ensure that all pupils have access to independent careers advice.

Curriculum and Improvement

- - Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of leadership and management in relation to curriculum design, implementation and impact.
  - Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of curriculum desig
  - Monitor and evaluate the school’s own assessment of the impact of the curriculum for all groups of pupils to include Reading in all key stages.
  - Monitor and evaluate the quality of education and the impact of the curriculum including Relationship Health and Sex Education.
  - Monitor and evaluate the impact of continuing professional development on improving staff performance.
  - Monitor and evaluate provision for all groups of vulnerable children e.g. children looked after and children in need and ensure all their needs have been identified and addressed.
  - Monitor and review impact of additional grant funding e.g Pupil Premium.
  - Set priorities for improvement and monitor and evaluate the impact of improvement plans which relate to the committee’s area of operation.
  - Receive reports from external sources and agree actions to address recommendations; monitor and evaluate progress made.
  - Ensure all children have equality of opportunit
  - Monitor pupils’ attitudes, values and development of other personal qualities within the school through the provision of Relationship, Health and Sex Education.

Behaviour, Personal Development and Well-Being:

- - Ensure the school is fulfilling its responsibilities regarding safeguarding and child protection and the requirements of ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education’
  - Ensure Safeguarding policies are adhered to; monitor and review all safeguarding policies/procedures within schoo
  - Monitor and review data on behaviour, bullying, child on child abuse, attendance and exclusion
  - Ensure school is fulfilling its responsibilities with regards to pupils accessing alternative provision.
  - Ensure that adequate provision is made for pupil transitio

Engagement:

- - Monitor the school’s publicity, public presentation and relationships with parents/carers and the wider communit
  - Identify and celebrate pupil achievement
  - Oversee and monitor arrangements for out of hours provision, extra-curricular activities and educational visits including overnight sta
  - Ensure all statutory requirements for reporting and publishing information are met.
  - Review and monitor the school’s website to ensure that it is accessible and fully compliant with current Department for Education requirement
  - Ensure the school works well with its community, parents and other schools

QUORUM 3

DISQUALIFICATION None.

MEETINGS

At least termly

FIRST/PAY REVIEW COMMITTEE

Terms of Reference

Elect Chair.
Annually agree the Teachers’ Pay Po
Act in accordance with the Teachers’ Pay Policy when carrying out the annual review of teachers’ salarie
Consider any requests made in accordance with Human Resources policies e.g. leave of absence etc. (unless delegated to the Headteacher).
Make any decisions under Human Resources procedures adopted by the Governing Board e.g. disciplinary, grievance, ill-health, capability etc. (Unless delegated to the Headteacher).
Lifting of Headteacher’s suspension (lifting of all other staff suspensions delegated to the Chair of Governors).
Deal with matters relating to staffing reductions, restructures and changes to the permanent school staffing structure.

QUORUM 3

DISQUALIFICATION

· Headteacher.

·      Chair of Governors (if have prior knowledge).
·      where there may be a conflict of interest.
·      any Governor whose spouse/partner is involved.
·      staff (annual pay review or matters related to a staffing reduction process).

MEETINGS

At least annually

APPEALS COMMITTEE
Terms of Reference

Elect Chair.
Consider any appeal against a decision made under the Human Resources policies adopted by the Governing Board.
Consider any appeal against a decision made by the First/Pay Review Committee during the annual review of teachers’ salaries.
Consider any appeal against selection for redundancy through a staffing reduction process.

MEETINGS As and when required

QUORUM 3

DISQUALIFICATION
·      Headteacher.
·      Chair of Governors (if have prior knowledge).
·      any Governor involved in the original hearing.
·      where there may be a conflict of interest.
·      any Governor whose spouse/partner is involved.
·      staff (appeals in relation to salary or staffing reduction decisions).

HEADTEACHERS PERFORMANCE REVIEW COMMITTEE
LEAD GOVERNOR: P Procter
Terms of Reference

Elect Chair
Set, with the support of the Local Authority Adviser, the Headteacher’s annual performance objective
Monitor throughout the year the performance of the Headteacher against agreed performance objectives and hold interim review meeting
Review, with the support of the Local Authority Adviser achievement of performance objectives.
Make recommendations to the Pay Review (First) Committee in respect of the Headteacher’s performance and annual pay progression (where eligible).

MEETINGS Autumn Term plus monitoring meetings

QUORUM 2

DISQUALIFICATION

· Headteacher.
· Staff.

COMPLAINTS COMMITTEE

Terms of Reference

Elect Chair
Consider complaint in accordance with the school’s Complaints Procedure.

The Complaints Committee will consist of at least three Governors with no prior
involvement or knowledge of the complaint.

MEETINGS	As and when required
QUORUM	3
DISQUALIFICATION	· Headteacher. · Chair of Governors (if have prior knowledge). · Any Governor (if have prior knowledge). · where there may be a conflict of interest. · staff.