LEH School Governance

The Governing Body

Members of the governing body represent the church, the Lady Elizabeth Hastings Trust, the council, the local community, parents, staff and other interested parties. The Governing Body and its committees meet regularly with the aim of providing the best education for the pupils.

The effectiveness of the governors depends on the quality of the people and how they work together with the school leaders. Membership focuses on the skills and experience that are needed to be effective and contribute to the success of the school.

What the Governing Body does

Governing Bodies are the strategic decision makers and vision setters for the school and their role is to ensure the best possible education for every child.
They have three core functions:

1. To ensure clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction;

2. To hold the headteacher to account for the educational performance of the school and its pupils, and the performance management of staff;

3. To oversee the financial performance of the school and make sure money is well spent.

Governing Body Conduct

Governors should be mindful in exercising all their functions and must act with integrity, objectivity and honesty and at all times in the best interests of the school. They should be open about the decisions they make and the actions they take and be prepared to explain their decisions and actions to interested parties.

Holders of public office should be aware of and accept the seven principles of public life: Selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership.

Structure and Responsibilities of the Governing Body and it's Committees

The full governing body meet at least once each term; at least three times each year. Many tasks are delegated to the committees which each meet once or twice each term. There are four committees at Lady Elizabeth Hastings.

Curriculum and Ethos  – To make sure that the school curriculum fulfils statutory requirements and meets the needs of all pupils in addition to incorporating a rich, relevant and varied learning experience for all pupils. The committee is also responsible for the quality of teaching, pupil progress and pupil outcomes:

Finance and Staffing – To ensure that the school’s spending remains within budget and all funds are spent wisely to meet the best needs of the pupils. The committee also provides input on staffing needs, pay and deployment.

Premises – To ensure that the school’s physical environment is safe, maintained and fit for purpose. The committee also considers the future needs of the school ground and buildings and develops strategies to meet these requirements.

Co-ordination and Resources – The chairs of the other committees, together with the Chairman of Governors, the Vice Chairman of Governors and the Headteacher, meet termly at this committee to set the school’s strategy and ensure progress is made towards attaining the school’s goals.

Working parties are set up as required to oversee specific projects and tasks.

The Governors have many roles and will:

• Provide a strategic view of the school

• Oversee financial performance

• Appoint and hold the Headteacher to account for the performance of the school

• Ensure parents are consulted and informed as required

• Oversee admissions

• Set and approve the school budget

• Set challenging targets and monitor pupil progress towards them

• Ensure health and safety issues are addressed

• Ensure buildings are repaired and maintained

• Governors do not get involved in the day to day running of the school.

Lady Elizabeth Hastings' Church of England (VA) Primary School Governing Body is made up of the following governors:

 Name and position                                            CATEGORY / BODY RESP                      TERM OF OFFICE

The Clerk can be contacted via email:  Julie.Kirkpatrick@leeds.gov.uk

Please find details of the structure and responsibilities of the governing body at Lady Elizabeth Hastings Church of England Primary School and its committees including information about each governor:

• business interests
• financial interests
• governance roles in other schools

A Vignes   

C Skinner

H Muralee

K Mawn

R Bajulaiye

J Harrison

A O'Connor

F Rafique

D Jones

J Shilleto

Pen Portraits - who are our governors?

Committee Terms of Reference

Governing Body Agendas

Please contact the school office for this information