Meet the Governors
Who are our School Governors?
The Governors are unpaid volunteers who are all motivated to make a positive contribution to the education of Hardwick children. Our Governors are drawn from a wide variety of backgrounds. Some are parents of children in the school, some live in the neighbourhood, others work in the local business community or are appointed by the Trust.
- Mr Robert Heavisides (Chair of Governors and Trust Governor)
- Miss Abigail Smith (Vice Chair – Co-opted Member)
- Mrs Hayley Clarke (Headteacher)
- Mr Andy Abbott (Co-opted member)
- Mrs Waveney Metcalf (elected Parent Governor)
- Mrs Claire Flatman (Co-opted member)
- Mr Marc Gilbert(Co-opted member)
- Mrs Elodie Gilbert (Co-opted member)
- Mrs Angela Carter (Co-opted member)
School Governance Documents:
The following ASST governance documents can be found on the ASST website: Memorandum of association, Articles of association, Hardwick Funding agreement, Trust account.
What is the role of the Governors?
We view our Governors as our ‘critical friends’. They provide us with strategic leadership and accountability. They regularly challenge our decisions and by doing so help us to become as effective as possible.
What do the Governors do?
Our Governing body carry out a number of important roles including:
- setting the aims and objectives for the school
- setting performance targets for achieving those aims and objectives
- monitoring and evaluating the progress the school is making towards achieving those aims and objectives
- carry out monitoring visits linked to the School Development & Improvement Plan, and curriculum areas
- approving school policies
- ensuring all children have access to a broad and balanced curriculum
- balancing the finances and approving expenses
- appointing the headteacher, accessing his/her performance and setting their pay, assisting in the appointment of members of the teaching staff and agreeing their pay recommendations
- hearing appeals on pupil exclusion
- dealing with staff grievances and disciplinary action
- ensuring compliance with statutory safeguarding requirements
- hearing the second stage of parental complaints
What do the Governors not do?
Our Governors do not manage the school on a day-to-day basis. This is the role of the Head of School, supported by the Executive Headteacher and the senior leadership team. Whilst Governors do visit the school regularly as part of their strategic role, they do not assess the quality of teaching. They monitor this by analysing data provided by the school and external sources (e.g. Ofsted).
They do not monitor individual children’s performance or behaviour. They identify themes and trends by monitoring the progress of groups of children.
Governors do receive feedback from stakeholders, including parents, but only deal with complaints that have not been resolvable directly with the school. All parents are encouraged to approach the school in the first instance.
Governors do not fundraise for the school (although many choose to do so).
The Local Governing Body
The Local Governing Body meets once a term. At this meeting committee minutes and various reports, including governor monitoring visits and the termly Headteacher’s report are presented. Updates on school development and improvement plans are received and discussed, including any Trust information and updates. There are other items which are on the agenda at each meeting, but the main purpose of the meetings is to ensure all governors are aware of matters arising and it is the only meeting where all the governors are together and have the opportunity to openly discuss issues as a group. Any school governor will tell you that there is a lot that happens behind the scenes that parents are not aware of and for many new governors it comes as a bit of a shock and opens their eyes to what actually goes on to enable the smooth running and management of the school.
How do I contact the Governors?
Governors are happy to be approached in person in the playground. More formal approaches can be made by writing to the Chair of Governors, Bob Heavisides. Letters for him can be left with the school office. Alternatively, Governors can be contacted at the following email address: office@hardwickprimary.org.uk
How do I become a Hardwick Governor?
If you are not a parent of a child at Hardwick Primary and you are interested in becoming a Co-opted Governor, please approach the school. Governors are appointed for a four year term. There are two elected parent governors and if there becomes a vacancy, the school will inform the parent body and ask for nominations.
Whilst many Governors sit for more than one term, there are regular vacancies as Governors move, or change their home or working patterns, which may prevent them from being able to commit enough time needed to fulfil the role.
Anybody over 18 years of age can apply to become a Governor. No special qualifications are required, however it is preferable to have a set of skills required by the governing body. All school governors are required to be DBS and Section 128 checked. All necessary training and support is provided.
The Governors are committed and work hard for the school. However, they also know how to have fun!