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“Governors are people who wish to make a positive contribution to the school and the education of its children. They contribute to the day to day running of the school and have an input into the achievement of its pupils”. - Department for Education |
Welcome to the Governors’ section of the Highfield website. Its aim is to provide information on the role of the governing body and to help you to become more familiar with all the governors.
What do school governors do?
Although governors meet regularly as a group, there are also three sub-groups of the main body who manage different aspects of the school. A summary of the responsibilities of each of these committees should provide a clearer idea of the day-to-day issues that governors are responsible for:
Teaching and Learning Committee
Pupil Support Committee
Resources Committee
The Governing body comprises a range of individuals who offer a wide variety of skills gained as a parent, in their working life or in the community.
Some governors are appointed to represent parents, some represent the local community and others are part of the school or the education authority. The main reasons for becoming a governor can be summarised as follows:
Who are the Highfield Governors?
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Chair |
Sarah Pells |
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Head Teacher |
Julie Colley |
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Parent Governors: |
Steve Binns |
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Jaz Nahl |
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Sheryl Richmond |
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Mark Rudd |
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Local Education Authority Representatives: |
Simon Fox Carol Patterson |
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Nancy Lester |
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Leighton Williams |
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Community Representatives: |
Maureen Savery - Richards |
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Mags Teale |
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Teacher Representative: |
Rebekah Thackrah |
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Staff Representative: |
Elaine Taylor |
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Associate Members: |
Jane Denton |
Governor Profiles
One of the main aims of the governing body in 2011/12 is to make the governors better known to parents and others who have a stake in the life and wellbeing of the school. These ‘pen pictures’ have been written by the governors themselves and should help everyone get to know the governors a little more.
Firstly, a word or two from the Chair of Governors:
Hello, I'm Sarah Pells, Chair of Governors. I was a Librarian then Administrator at the University of Leeds before choosing to become a full-time mum to my four children for fourteen years. Two years ago I returned to work part-time as an Examinations Invigilator at Allerton High School and an Adult Education Tutor. During the thirteen years my children have been at Highfield I have always involved myself as much as possible in school activities. I am on the committee of “the Friends” and have helped at numerous events such as the Summer Fair and Christmas Parties. I have organised many International Breakfast Cafes for the Harmony in Diversity Group and arranged multi-cultural dance events. I ran our successful Be Healthy Family Challenge and was invited to speak at other schools and teachers' conferences. I enjoyed participating in the STEPS course and Share Group. I have accompanied all classes on many varied school trips.
As a Governor I have been privileged to participate in three interview panels to appoint new staff, including our Head Teacher. I was involved with planning the new extension and refurbishing the annexe. I especially enjoy writing and performing in our annual pantomime.
I am usually in the playground before and after school and at the coffee morning on Fridays. I'm always happy for a chat. This is my final year as a Highfield Governor and parent and I will be so sad to leave such an outstanding school, which has played such a big part in my life. “
Sheryl Richmond
Sheryl was elected as parent governor in February 2011 and has a daughter, Maisie, who will be in year 1 in 2011/12.
Sheryl currently works within a procurement department and has worked in this area for approximately 9 years. In that time she has gained experience in the purchasing of goods & services, contract negotiations as well as understanding applicable legislation and regulatory requirements.
Outside of work, Sheryl enjoys taking part in a running group, which was formed by a number of local mums who had an interest to get fit. This has led to participation in a number of fundraising events and races such as the Great North Run.
Nancy Lester
Nancy is an LEA Governor and joined the Highfield Governing Body in July 2010. She has two daughters, Betty (5) and Peggy (2). Betty started Highfield this year and she (and Nancy!) loves being part of the School.
Nancy works at the University of Leeds, overseeing the delivery of a national programme supporting the delivery of Clinical Research Networks across England. Through this she brings general management experience, with a particular interest in business development and change management, to Highfield.
Nancy currently chairs the Teaching and Learning Sub Committee and has responsibility for Governor Training. She works part time so is around school on Thursdays and Fridays. Do catch her if you’d like to discuss anything.
Mags Teale
Mags has 3 young children, Jessica in Year 4, Harriet in reception and Tobias who will join in 2013. Mags has always been interested in a school governor role and that interest grew stronger as her children began school. She waited patiently to put herself forward to be a school governor to ensure she was able to give her 2 younger children the focus they required at such a young age. Now they are a little more independent she feels more able to manage her time, ensuring a greater commitment to the governor role.
Mags has worked in the banking industry for 15 years and aims to use her wealth of business skills to support Highfield. She is an advocate of LEAN fundamentals (removing wastage from a process to drive improvement) and is experienced in changing work culture to allow changes to be implemented successfully. She has worked in a wide range of analytical roles and aims to use her full compliment of business skills to help Highfield provide its pupils and parents with the right level of information to make informed decisions.
Steve Binns
Steve is a parent governor here at Highfield and has one boy, Joshua, in year one, and Jack who will be joining Josh here in two years time. (hopefully!)
Steve works at the University of Leeds, where he is contracts and compliance manger in the estates department, responsible for the management of all statutory and regulatory-based agreements. Having spent over 15 years working in the building services industry as an engineer, he offers a vast knowledge of building maintenance experience as well as in depth knowledge of developing and managing service level agreements.
Away from work Steve is a keen tri-athlete, competing round the country in events and raising money for local charities.
Leighton Williams
Leighton has been an LEA Governor at Highfield since March 2010 and has three children at the school - Seren, Ellen and Lloyd.
His roles in the school governing body include chairing the Resources Sub Committee and he is also a member of the Pay Committee.
Leighton is an architect and his prime governor role over the last couple of years has been to help advise the school with the new extension and refurbishment of the annexe. He’s now looking forward seeing how Highfield grows into the new buildings and makes use of the excellent new facilities.
Outside of work and being a Dad’s Taxi, Leighton is an avid Welsh Rugby fan and Swansea City FC supporter. He likes building sandcastles, floating in the sea and can also sometimes be seen on a local golf course, desperately trying to overcome his natural slice.
Mark Rudd
Mark, who is a parent governor, is married to Nicola with two boys attending Highfield and one on the way. He supports the school in a variety of ways such as cricket coaching, being the quizmaster and volunteering at many events.
By profession, Mark is a Lecturer in Human Resource Management at Leeds Metropolitan University. He is also a self-employed business consultant, specialising in economic and labour market issues.
As a governor Mark is responsible for safe recruitment and pupil safeguarding; and brings to the table a range of HR, business support and research skills.
As well as being a busy parent to three young boys, Mark has a great interest in sport, in particular cricket and rugby. He has a long history of being a distinctly average sea fisherman, squash player and golfer and these days likes to go on adventures in his sea kayak when time allows. He describes his main hobby as combining a love of the great outdoors with a keen interest in wildlife.
Mark can be contacted via the school or at markrudd@me.com
Allocation of Class Governors
From September 2011 each governor will be allocated a new class to become more closely involved with. Governors will spend a half day visiting their class and in doing so will gain a greater insight into what happens during a typical school day. The following table shows which classes the governors have been allocated:
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Class |
Teacher |
Governor |
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RG |
Mrs Garbutt |
Jaz Nahl |
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RBH |
Mrs Bowker Mrs Hargrave |
“ “ |
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1S |
Mrs Swales |
Sarah Pells |
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1H |
Miss Henshaw |
Simon Fox |
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2F |
Mrs Fritz |
Mags Teal |
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2T |
Miss Thackrah |
Maureen Savery |
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3B |
Mr Beresford |
Leighton Williams |
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3BC |
Mrs Buckle Mrs Clarkson |
Jane Denton |
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4E |
Miss Elson |
Nancy Lester |
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4H |
Mrs Homan |
Mark Rudd |
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5B |
Mr Brassil |
Steve Binns |
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5/6H |
Mrs Heeley |
Sheryl Richmond |
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6P |
Mr Potter |
Elaine Taylor |
Further Information
We hope you found this introduction to the governing body helpful.
As we move towards a new school year in September 2011, lots more information will be added on the work of the governors, for example
