GENERAL PRINCIPLES

The role of the Local Governing Board of St George’s CE Primary School and Pre-School is a strategic one, and its key functions are to:

• set the aims and objectives for the school;
• set the policies for achieving those aims and objectives;
• set the targets for achieving those aims and objectives;
• monitor and evaluate the progress the school is making towards achievement of its aims and objectives;
• be a source of support and challenge to the Senior Leadership Team (a critical friend);
• be ultimately accountable for welfare, well-being, safeguarding and education of all the children at St George’s, and for the health and safety of our whole school community.

Each individual governor is a member of the Governing Board. Individual governors may not act independently of the rest of the Governing Board; decisions are the joint responsibility of the Governing Board. 

The Headteacher (Mrs Katy Astle) is responsible for the internal organisation, management and control of St George’s School and the implementation of the strategic framework established by the Governing Board.  She is also a member of the Governing Board. 

 

GOVERNING BODY 2025-2026

Chair:  Mr Richard Purchase

Vice Chair:  Mrs Cheryl Sutton

Clerk:  Mrs Jane Ramsden

Staff Governor:  Ms Amy Howe

Foundation Governors:  Reverend Lindy Cameron, Mr Richard Purchase (H&S), Mrs Judith Bird (SEND), Mrs Carol Richards,

Mrs Bridget Leary (Pupil Premium)

Co-opted Governor:  Ms Heather Pardoe (Safeguarding), Mrs Cheryl Sutton, Mrs Zoey Ingarfield

Parent Governors:  x2 vacancies

Ex Officio Governors: Mrs Katy Astle (Headteacher) 

 

COMMITTEE STRUCTURE AND MEMBERSHIP

Full Governing Body: all governors (see list above)

Environment Committee:  Mr Richard Purchase (Chairman), Mrs Katy Astle (Headteacher), 

Strategic Planning & Policy Committee:  Mrs Katy Astle (Headteacher), Mr Richard Purchase (Chairman) 

GOVERNOR RESPONSIBILTIES

Individual Governors take a lead responsibility for specific aspects of the school.  Some of these roles are statutory - for example safeguarding, SEND and H&S - whilst others have been determined by the Full Governing Body (FGB).

 

Declaration of Business & Personal Interests

This is a statutory document for the Governing Body to ensure that governors not only act impartially, but are also seen to act impartially.  The Governing Body has a responsibility to avoid any conflict between their business and personal interests/affairs and those of the school.  There is a legal duty on all governors to declare an interest likely to lead to questions of bias when considering any item of business at a meeting and for the governor concerned to withdraw, if necessary, whilst the matter is considered.  

Governors are required to complete a 'Declaration of Business Interests' on appointment and this declaration is reviewed annually.  These are maintained as a Register of Business / Pecuniary Interests.  Additionally, as an item on the agenda of every Governing Body and committee meeting, Governors are required to state whether they have any such interests.  

The register enables governors to demonstrate that in spending public money they do not benefit personally from decisions which they make.