Governors’ information and duties

Welcome to the section of the website where you can find out more about the school’s governors and the work that we do.

The role of the school governor carries a great responsibility with it, so it can be demanding and challenging, but on the whole it is very rewarding. School governing bodies are responsible for working with the school to ensure that it delivers a good quality education. Together with the headteacher, who is responsible for day-to-day management, they set the school’s aims and policies.

Key roles of governors:

To ensure clarity of the school’s vision, ethos and strategic direction.
To hold the headteacher to account for the educational performance of the school and its pupils, and the performance management of staff.
To oversee the financial performance of the school and make sure its money is well spent.

Role of the Finance Committee.

The Finance Committee meets regularly to ensure the school’s finances are well managed and that we are achieving value for money.

Finance Committee Meetings are attended and clerked by the School’s Business Manager who initially circulates the Agenda for the meeting, which Governors on the committee can add to. At the meetings, the Governors request that the Business Manager provides detailed information on the current budget position and highlights areas for discussion.

The committee provides challenge and support to achieve overall effectiveness in its responsibilities for the financial position of the school. It feeds back to the full Governing Body at its twice termly meetings.

The Finance Committee complies with the core responsibilities and strategic planning as set out in the ‘Governors External Review’ and is working on the action point regarding PPG performance.

Governors also fulfill a number of other important duties, which include:

Making sure the school buildings and grounds are safe
Setting and monitoring the school’s aims and objectives
Setting standards for the pupils’ behaviour and discipline
Ensuring policies are relevant and up-to-date
Deciding how to spend the school’s budget
The appointing and dismissing of staff
Hearing appeals and grievances

Who can be a school governor?

You do not have to have children at the school in order to be a governor. However, you do need to be aged over 18 and pass a formal check (DBS) for your suitability to enable you to come into our school.

No specific qualifications are required but there are certain expectations which are set out in the governor’s code of conduct. Similarly, experience of working in a school can be helpful in your role as a school governor but not essential. What really matters to us is that you have the time to commit fully to the role of the governor, playing a proactive part while working as part of a team, and the passion to ensure that every child has the opportunity to realise their potential and be the best they can be. As a school governor, there is no greater achievement than bringing about school improvement to ensure the best possible education for our children. What better way is there of giving something back to your community.

If you feel you have what it takes to be a school governor, or would like more information about becoming a school governor, then please speak to Mrs Codling in the school office or email our Chair of governors: a2176@taw.org.uk

Our Governors

Governor Meetings

Governors Newsletter

Our Governors

Ms Stephanie Dowley (Headteacher)

Belinda Ezeazu (Parent Governor – Chair of Governors)

Rebecca Davies (Co-opted – Vice Chair)

Emma Buckley (Staff Governor)

Maz Khanam (Parent Governor)

Sarah Flanagan (Co-opted)

Mark Freathy (Local Authority)

Carol Grainger (Co-opted)

Carol Kendrick (Co-opted)

Ms Stephanie Dowley

Headteacher

I have the best job in the world! I am very fortunate to be the head teacher at John Randall. I lead a dedicated and committed team who all love learning and teaching! I am a member of the Severn Teaching School Board, encouraging new teachers to the profession and I really enjoy working with other school and colleagues across Telford, around the country and in Kenya. When I’m not in school I love to travel and explore new places. I also enjoy walking and cycling.

Stephanie Dowley

Becky Davies

I am delighted to be joining the governing body at John Randall and I am looking forward to working with staff, pupils and parents at the school.

I have worked as a teacher and SENCO in the Telford area for several years and I am passionate about improving outcomes for all pupils. I am keen to support the school in providing a broad and balanced curriculum which is accessible to all.

Of all the primary curriculum subjects, Science is my favourite and I am happiest when teaching in a practical way. I’m a great believer in learning through experience and applying the skills taught in school to ‘Real-Life’ contexts.

For me, becoming a governor means I am able to take on a new role within the school community and share the experience I have built up during my time as teacher. I am proud to be part of the John Randall team.

Becky Davies.

Emma Buckley

Teacher Governor

I have been the teacher governor at John Randall Primary School for a number of years. I am an experienced Governor with an excellent knowledge of the school, the children, the families and the priorities we have chosen to make our school even better in the future. I have excellent relationships with staff, children and families that makes me a good advocate to keep pushing the school forward for the better, to be the very best we can be. Being a governor allows me to make a real difference to the priorities of the school and to make choices about what is best for our children and families.

I have taught in a number of year groups throughout my time at our school and have a passion for improving outcomes for all.

Outside of school I am a Mum, with a busy life! I love to spend time with my family, swimming, days out, walking my dog and relaxing. I love to read, and spend time, when I can reading. I love children’s literature and have lots of children’s books, which I love to share with my daughter and children in school.

Emma Buckley

Mrs Belinda Ezeazu

John Randall Primary School has been a second home for my children, a place they all have looked forward to going each school morning and with the help of staff have been taught good morals and built their confidence to shape them for the future.

I have been privileged as a mother in bringing up 3 children of my own and have along the way picked up and experienced the importance of giving children a solid foundation.

In my career, l have been opportune to work closely with 0-19 year olds and their parents in a volunteering and salaried post as a focus worker, key worker and a teacher in non-main stream setting as well as main stream (John Randall School).

I am currently taking up another degree in Health and Social Care because I am passionate about helping better the future and lives of the populace in our society, protect vulnerable children and adults, as well as create awareness by giving healthy tips.

Becoming a School Governor will give me the opportunity to reach out to the young minds and their parents, encouraging them that commitment and hard work does pay in the long run.

Belinda Ezeau

Maz Khanam

I’ve had the pleasure of being part of John Randal Primary School for number of years, I have 3 children 1 who has left and 2 who attend the school. I have watched my children being taught respect and kindness from the staff.

I have an A Level in Health and Social Care and NVQ in child care. I have looked after and worked with children for 10 years, I have recently changed my career to Domiciliary care. I am currently studying in adult care, I feel our elderly are a forgotten society who need the love and support they once gave us. I have always been passionate about helping others and have always wanted to help children get the best education out there which is why I am happy to be elected as parent governor, I will try my best to use my perspective as a parent to help the board understand your (parents) views.

Hillary Clinton quoted – “It takes a village to raise a child”

I believe we can together bring out the best in our children for a better future.

When I’m not working I am a voluntary translator (in Bengali) for family and friends whose English is not a first language. In my spare time time I love to read, swim and go for long walks. I love playing board games with my family although we can get competitive.

I’ve got to know many parents and look forward to meeting more.

Mashuda Khanam (Maz)

Carol Grainger

My name is Carol Grainger and I am very happy to be serving the John Randall Primary school and its community as a school governor. I am a secondary school teacher and part of my school’s extended senior leadership. I have been working in education for 18 years and have experience in both leading and managing curriculum and pastoral. I am excited to see how my secondary experiences will support the transition for the children at John Randall into Secondary School. What appealed to me the most about joining John Randall Primary as a governor was the super ethos that the headteacher aims to drive forward to help support and enrich the lives of the young people John Randall serves. I am excited to be on that journey and can’t wait to see the school in action.

Carol Grainger

Carol Kendrick

I am excited to be joining the governing body at John Randall and I am looking forward to working collaboratively with staff, pupils and parents at the school.

I have worked within the Criminal Justice System for nearly 30 years at both a practitioner and senior leader level throughout Staffordshire and West Midlands with more recently in Shropshire, working in a multi-agency arena with Local Authorities and voluntary organisations striving to achieve positive outcomes for service users and the public. I have three daughters two who are teachers [one in primary and one an English teacher] and one who works for Children Services, which together with my experience of supporting them through their education journey has given me some insight into the benefits of a positive educational experience together with areas for improvement and development. I am passionate about improving opportunities for both children and their families and that children are allowed to thrive, be safe, healthy and are happy. I am a believer that education and learning is not purely within the school environment and that parents play a key role in supporting their child’s development and that collaboration between the school and parents is fundamental to this. I am looking forward to supporting John Randall and parents in helping our children achieve positive outcome.

Carol Kendrick

Governor Meetings

2020-2021

22/10/2020	Finance Committee	Full Governing Body
10/12/2020		Full Governing Body
11/2/2021	Finance Committee	Full Governing Body
25/3/2021	Finance Committee	Full Governing Body
20/5/2021	Finance Committee	Full Governing Body
8/7/2021		Full Governing Body

Please click on the Business Interests document link below to see the latest Business Interests Record from Governors.

Business Interests

For a breakdown of Governor attendance at meetings and terms of office for the previous academic year please click on the Governor attendance at meetings document link below.

Governor Details 2019-2020

For the current academic year so far click on the Governor attendance document link below.

Governor Details 2020-2021

Governors report to parent 2021

As the governing body we strive to ensure that the children’s safety, welfare and learning are at the forefront of all our decision making. Each year the Governors produce an ‘Action Plan’ which outlines the work of the governors for the forthcoming academic year. This is closely aligned to the School Development Plan (SDP) to enable the work of the governing body to be strategically targeted on school improvement.

As governors our role is to provide support and challenge to school leaders regarding the decisions made about your child’s education. We monitor school improvement through; regular visits to the school, scrutiny of documentation, checking school appraisal systems, capturing children’s attitudes to their learning & school experiences, seeking the views of parents, meeting with staff & discussions with the Senior leadership team.

We also attend any relevant meeting with the Local authority or other outside agency & governor training.

This academic year the governors have received training in a range of areas including:

Managing sexual violence
Teachers pay and conditions
Racist incidents
Performance management
New governor training
Early years framework training

The 4 roles of the governing body

1) Ensure that all the statutory duties of the school are in place

Governors regularly check that all of the statutory policies & procedures are in place & published on the school website to ensure accessibility to parents/carers, external agencies & other stakeholders.

We work diligently & strategically, to ensure that all statutory duties are fulfilled.

The governors worked closely with school leaders to develop the vision for the school that represents the community it serves. We believe that ensuring our children are Ready, Respectful and Safe in all they do and achieve creates a positive model for all our Jon Randall Family.

2) Setting the vision for the school and strategic development

In 2020-2021 the governors focussed on supporting the school with the following targets:

Further develop the skills of senior & middle leaders to ensure that they drive school improvement across the school
Strengthen the role of the governing body
Ensure the quality of teaching is consistently good in all classes
Continuing to raise expectations of learning & increase the percentage of pupils attaining age-related expectations in reading, writing & maths
Increase the number of pupils making progress in Early years
Ensuring that all safeguarding measures are robust and that everyone is safe.

Governor impact

Governors have been involved in the recruitment process of both senior & middle leaders. Newly appointed staff have had a positive impact on the quality of teaching & learning across the school.

New governors have been recruited to the governing body based on their skills & experience resulting in a stronger, more strategic governing body.

Governors have carried out a range of monitoring activities to ensure that the quality of teaching & learning is at least good in all classes. Monitoring activities have included:

Learning walks with the Local authority & attached advisor
Attendance at Local authority monitoring visits
Discussions with pupils
Book scrutiny
Discussions with parents

The governing body have monitored the improvements in teaching & learning across the school which have resulted in improved outcomes for pupils.

We will continue to carry out this vital monitoring work to ensure that improvements continue to be made & results continue to rise.

3) Holding the Headteacher to account to ensure that there is strong leadership

Governors have met regularly with the Headteacher to ensure that the priorities outlined in the SDP were being targeted appropriately. Governors received a Headteacher’s report on a regular basis & requested additional information when necessary. Data relating to pupil progress was studied & books were scrutinised. Governors visited the school regularly to challenge & investigate any underperformance & to celebrate successes .As the Chair of Governors I attended half-termly monitoring meetings with the Local Authority & agreed with their assessment that the school is led well.

The Headteacher has a clear vision for the future & is determined to continue to improve outcomes for all pupils.

The school has a robust appraisal system for staff at all levels & governors have spent time gathering first-hand information in school to support with this process.

Governors completed the Headteacher’s performance management review & have set challenging targets for the year ahead.

4) Checking the financial resources are used to best effect

The school’s finance committee have regularly reviewed how effectively finances are used to support the learning of all pupils in the school & are satisfied that the school provides good value for money.

Governors have been involved in the production of the Pupil Premium grant (PPG) report, which can be found on the website. Governors have regularly checked how the PPG is being used to improve outcomes for the schools most vulnerable pupils.

Governors have also monitored how the School Sports grant has been used.

Governors have worked with the Headteacher to ensure that school premised are safe, kept in good repair & improved to offer the pupils a safe, exciting learning environment. We have been delighted with the improvement made to school so far & are excited by future plans to improve the learning environment further.

Summary

The governing body have been very proactive this year in offering both support & challenge to the Headteacher & her team as they strive to improve outcomes for the children in our care.

We have been pleased with the improving trend & the strengthening quality of leadership & teaching which resulted in improved results this year.

We recognise, along with the Heateacher, that there is always more to do & we will continue to strive, on behalf of all of the children in our care to ensure that the school improves further.

If you would like any further information regarding the work of the governing body please do not hesitate to contact the school.

I hope that you have found the information in this short report helpful.

Belinda Ezeazu
Acting Chair of Governors

John Randall Primary School

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Queen Street, Madeley
Telford, Shropshire, TF7 4DS

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01952 388390

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a2176@taw.org.uk