What is a governing body?

The Government requires that each school has a governing body responsible for working together with the school to ensure that it delivers a good quality education. As a Voluntary Controlled school our team is made up of the various stakeholders that the school serves – the church, parents, local authority, and staff. Governors are volunteers who are either elected or appointed, for example parent governors are elected from the parent body, and Foundation governors are nominated by the church.

Please see table below for further information about our Governing Body and record of Governors’ attendance at meetings

What does a governing body do?

The governing body works in partnership with the headteacher, staff, parents and the LA to raise standards of achievement in the school, led by the Chair of Governors. The main functions of the governing body are to:

  • Provide a strategic view
  • Act as a critical friend
  • Ensure accountability

Our governing body is organised into small working committees with a Chair for each one. Committees meet once a term, while the full governing body meets twice a term. The governing body has wide-ranging responsibilities and works with the Headteacher and staff to:

  • Agree the aims and values of the school
  • Make decisions on the budget and approve the School Improvement Plan
  • Ensure that the National Curriculum is taught
  • Monitor and review the school’s progress
  • Ensure that individual pupil’s needs are met, including special needs
  • Be involved in the recruitment of staff
  • Provide information about school for parents
  • Establish and maintain positive links with the church and the local community

OUR CODE OF CONDUCT

As governors we take our role very seriously and the way we work together is governed by our “CODE OF CONDUCT”, a copy of which can be obtained from the school office.  The Code specifically covers the following areas:

  • Confidentiality
  • Complaints
  • Conflicts of Interest
  • Commitment
  • Critical Friend
  • Mutual Respect
  • Training
  • Evaluation
  • Being part of the school life.

Should any difficulty concerning the education of your child arise, then correct procedure is to bring the matter to the class teacher. The majority of issues are best dealt with the class teacher or head teacher.  If, however, the matter remains unresolved, as a last resort, the matter can be referred to the Governors Appeal Panel via the school office.

BECOMING A GOVERNOR

Becoming a Governor involves time, commitment, and passion for seeing the school thrive and prosper.  We try to use all the skills that people have from helping in the recruitment process, to designing pamphlets, writing letters and giving objective feedback.  The rewards associated with being a Governor can far outweigh the time commitment.  We are proud to be part of a school that is making positive steps towards ensuring that every child gets the very best all round school experience.

You can contact your governing body by leaving your number with school office or email  office@midhurstprimary.co.uk with any questions.

Copies of governor minutes are always available from the school office.

GOVERNOR DETAILS

GOVERNING BODY OF Midhurst C of E Primary. Our Governing Body consists of 14 members and operates with 5 committees.

Our current Governors are:

Mark Alden – Parent Governor

Jessica Channon – Staff Governor

Rev. Marcus Collie – Foundation Governor, School Chaplain

Gemma Dunn – Co-opted Governor

Michaela Fay – Co-opted Governor

Laura Jandac – Local Authority Governor – Vice Chair of Governors

Mark Jefferson – Headteacher

Sarah Lavender – Foundation Governor

Kirstan Mullen – Co-opted Staff Governor

Ben Perides – Co-opted Governor

Mark Purves – Co-opted Governor – Chair of Governors

Andy Scott – Parent Governor

Mark Wheeler – Co-opted Governor

Governor Attendance for Academic year 2023/24

Full name of Governor

 Governor Category Date of  current Appointment or Election Source of Appointment (where appropriate)

Term

of

office/Roles within GB

 Attendance at full GB Meetings* Committee membership Attendance at committee meetings* Declarations on register of business & pecuniary interest

Remarks
Mrs Chrissie Abbott Foundation 22nd September 2020 Foundation 4 years
Chair of Health & Safety and Safeguarding
committee		 7/7 Health & Safety and Safeguarding
Ethos and School Policy
Sundew		 3/33/32/2 None
Mr Mark Alden Parent 7th November 2022 Parent 4 years 6/7 Health & Safety and Safeguarding 3/3 Married to member of teaching staff
Miss Jessica Channon Staff 13th January 2022 Staff 4 years 7/7 Ethos and School Policy
Health, Safety and Safeguarding		 3/32/2 None
Marcus Collie Foundation Ex-Officio 1st September 2023 Foundation Ex-Officio 5/7 Ethos and School Policy 2/3 None
Mrs Gemma Dunn Co-Opted 7th May 2023 Co-opted 4 years 7/7 Finance and Resources 3/3 None
Michaela Fay Co-opted 8th July 2021 Co-opted 4 Years 6/7 Curriculum, SEN & APMC 3/3 None
Laura Jandac Local Authority 30th March 2022 Local Authority 4 years
Vice Chair &
Chair of Sundew		 6/7 Curriculum, SEN & APMC
Sundew		 3/32/2 None
Mark Jefferson Headteacher 1st September 2023 7/7 Sits on all committees except Sundew None
Kirstan Mullen Co-opted 18th March 2024 Co-opted 4 years 2/2 None None
Ben Perides Co-opted 30th September 2020 Co-opted 4 years 4/7 Finance & Resources 3/3 None
Mark Purves Co-opted 1st December 2023 Co-opted 4 years
Chair of Governors
Chair of Curriculum, SEN&APMC		 7/7 Curriculum, SEN & APMC
Finance & Resources
Sundew		 3/32/3
2/2		 None
Andy Scott Parent 14th September 2022 Parent 4 years 7/7 Ethos & School Policy
Health, Safety and Safeguarding		 3/33/3 None
Mark Wheeler Co-opted 7th February 2022 Co-opted 4 years 7/7 Finance & Resources (2/3) None
Full name of Associate Member Committee Membership Voting rights Yes/No Date of Appointment Term of Office/Role on committee Attendance at committee Meetings* Attendance at full GB meetings* Remarks
Mrs Louise Chance Curriculum, SEN & APMC No 29th September 2022 1 Year 0/0 No None
Helen Bond Finance & Resources No 29th September 2022 1 year 2/2 No None
Scott Ind Curriculum, SEN & APMC No 29th September 2022 1 year 1/1 No None