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
Ms Stephanie Dowley (Headteacher)
Carol Cooke (Co-opted – Chair of Governors)
Belinda Ezeazu (Parent Governor – Vice Chair)
Rebecca Davies (Co-opted)
Kerry Tudor (Staff Governor)
Maz Khanam (Parent Governor)
Mark Freathy (Local Authority)
Carol Grainger (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.
Kerry Tudor
Staff Governor
My name is Kerry Tudor and I am very happy to be serving the John Randall Primary school and its community as a school governor. I have worked at John Randall since 2019 and in that time I have built excellent relationships with staff and children, so that we can all be the very best we can be. Being a governor will allow 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.
Throught my time in John Randall I have taught accross the whole school with my driving passion being for Outdoor Learning and Computing.
Outside of school I am a Mum, with a busy life! I love to spend time with my family, sailing, walking and relaxing.
Kerry Tudor
Mark Freathy
I became a local authority governor at John Randall Primary school in summer 2021 and am currently chair of the Resources Committee.
I have been a Trustee at Bridgnorth Endowed School since 2010, where I have served as chair of trustees since 2014. I have six years previous experience as a governor of a Bridgnorth primary school, including five as chair of governors, and recently served as a governor at another Telford primary school for three years, supporting the newly elected chair. I have 35 years of experience in human resources, have held senior roles in three local authorities, and have spent most of that time working in education departments. I currently work as HR Lead for a multi academy trust in the Black Country.
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 Cooke
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 Cooke
Governor Meetings
2021-2022
| 20/10/2021 | Full Governing Body | |
| 15/12/2021 | Full Governing Body | |
| 9/2/2022 | Full Governing Body | |
| 18/2/22 | Resources Committee | |
| 22/3/2022 | Full Governing Body | |
| 10/5/2022 | Resources Committee | Full Governing Body |
| 13/7/2022 | Full Governing Body |
Please click on the Business Interests document link below to see the latest Business Interests Record from Governors.
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.
For the current academic year so far click on the Governor attendance document link below.
John Randall Primary School
Queen Street, Madeley
Telford, Shropshire, TF7 4DS
01952 388390
a2176@taw.org.uk