Governance
Purpose of the Governing Body.
The Governing Body has a role to help the School to run effectively. It is strategic rather than operational. Governors don’t get involved with the day to day running of a school, instead supporting and challenging the school’s leadership team to drive school improvement.
Governors usually attend around 6 meetings a year. Being a school governor is a commitment and a responsibility, but offers the chance to see first-hand the impact which a School and effective Governing Body can make in improving education for children in your community and to ensure that the children are attending a safe, successful school which provides them with the best education and supports their well-being.
Governors work together to carry out their core functions:
- ensuring there is clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction
- holding executive leaders to account for the educational performance of the organisation and its pupils and the performance management of staff
- overseeing the financial performance of the organisation and making sure its money is well spent
- ensuring the voices of stakeholders are heard
Governors must also ensure that the governing body complies with all legal and statutory requirements. Governors should seek the advice of the clerk to the governing board and other professional advice as appropriate.
Governing body strategic responsibilities
Governing bodies work closely with Headteachers and Senior Leaders. Headteachers are responsible for day to day management whereas the role of the Governing body is strategic. As such, Governors are responsible for:
- determining the mission, values and long-term ambitious vision for the school
- deciding the principles that guide school policies and approving key policies
- working with senior leaders to develop a strategy for achieving the vision
- ensuring that parents, pupils, staff and the wider community are involved, consulted and informed as appropriate
- ensuring that all pupils have access to a broad and balanced curriculum such that pupils are well prepared for the next stage of their education and adult life
- setting the school’s budget and ensuring it is managed effectively together with premises and other resources
- agreeing the school’s staffing structure and keeping it under review to ensure it supports delivery of the strategy
- ensuring robust risk management procedures are in place and that risk control measures are appropriate and effective
Monitoring and evaluating school performance
Governors must monitor the priorities that have been set to ensure progress is being made by:
- measuring the school’s impact and progress towards its strategic objectives
- ensuring the required policies and procedures are in place and the school is operating effectively in line with these policies
- evaluating relevant data and feedback provided by school leaders and external reporting on all aspects of school performance
- asking challenging questions of school leaders in order to hold them to account
- holding the headteacher to account for standards, financial probity and compliance with agreed policies
- visiting the school to monitor implementation of the strategy and reporting back to the board (this could be in a link governor capacity)
- ensuring that there are policies and procedures in place to deal with complaints effectively
Panels and committees
When required, Governors are expected to serve on panels or committees in order to:
- appoint the Headteacher and other senior leaders
- appraise the Headteacher and make pay recommendations
- hear staff grievances and disciplinary matters
- review decisions to exclude pupils
- deal with formal complaints
Contribution to the Governing body
Governors should ensure that they are making a positive and meaningful contribution to the governing body by:
- attending meetings (a minimum of 3 full governing board meetings and a number of committee meetings each year), reading papers and preparing questions for senior leaders in advance
- establishing and maintaining professional relationships with senior leaders and colleagues on the board
- getting to know the school, including visiting the school occasionally during school hours
- undertaking induction training and developing knowledge and skills on an ongoing basis
Governing Body and Interests
NAME | GOVERNOR CATEGORY | APOINTING BODY | TERM START | TERM END | RESPONSIBILITES AND LINKS | NAMED BUSINESS &/O PERSONAL INTERESTS WITH SCHOOL | MEMBER OF ANY OTHER EDUCATIONAL ESTABLISHMENTS |
Christine Owen | LA | Governors | September 2024 | Chair of Governors | None | None | |
Vice Chair | |||||||
Lindsay Gibson-Phillips | HT | Governors | September 2021 | - | Headteacher | Headteacher | None |
Ruth Curtis | Staff | Staff | March 2022 | Employed at FWVPS | |||
Jane Smith | Co-Opted | Governors | June 2021 | Currently under review to be confirmed at Nov 2021 FGB | Employed at FWVPS | ||
Sam Warburton | Co-Opted | Governors | September 2021 | September 2025 | None | Deputy Head at Helsby High School | |
Ken McLarney | Co-Opted | Governors | November 2022 | None | None | ||
Steph Cawte | Parent | Parent | June 2022 | Parent | None |
Resignations
NAME | GOVERNOR CATEGORY | APOINTING BODY | TERM START | TERM END | RESPONSIBILITES AND LINKS | NAMED BUSINESS &/O PERSONAL INTERESTS WITH SCHOOL | MEMBER OF ANY OTHER EDUCATIONAL ESTABLISHMENTS |
Rebecca Goldsmith | Parent | Parent | Resgination January 2022 | SEND | Parent | Works for NHS | |
Tom Tilley | Co-Opted | Governors | Resignation January 2022 | Community | Works for Weaver Vale Housing Trust | None | |
Sally Baker | Co-Opted, | Governors | Resgination December 2021 | Deputy Headteacher | Employed at FWVPS | None | |
Peter Van Geffen | Headteacher | Governors | Resignation-August 2021 | Headteacher | Headteacher at FWVPS | None | |
Colin Whelan | Co-Opted | Governors |
November 2022 Resignation August 2021 |
Chair | Parent | None | |
Martin McKee | Co-Opted | Governors |
September 2024 Resigned. |
None |
Instrument of Government
Governor's Attendance 2021-2022
NAME | BUSINESS MEETING and FGB 16.09.21 | FGB November 2021 | FGB Feb 2022 | |
Christine Owen | Present | Present | ||
Lindsay Gibson-Phillips | Present | Present | ||
Ruth Curtis | Present | Present | ||
Sally Baker | Present | Present | Resigned | |
Jane Smith | Present | Present | ||
Sam Warburton |
Present |
Present | ||
Tom Tilley | Apologies - Traffic problems | Present | Resigned | |
Ken McLarney | Apologies -Traffic Problems | Apologies | ||
Rebecca Goldsmith | Apologies | Present | Resigned | |
Steph Cawte | Present | Present | ||
Wendy Collyer (Clerk to Governors) | Present | Present |
Letter from Chair of Governors
Meet Our Governors |
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Christine Owen – Local Authority Governor.I volunteered as a Local Authority Governor nearly 6 years ago as I believe all children deserve to have the best start to their education. Frodsham Weaver Vale is changing and I am pleased I joined as it embarked on a programme of improvement. The children are a delight and, along with the staff and other governors, I will be working hard to ensure they receive a first class education. I currently work in a CAB where I help people who are struggling to find jobs, homes and manage their finances. |
- Chair of Governors
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Lindsay Gibson-Phillips - HeadteacherI am extremely proud and thrilled to be part of the FWVPS family. My pathway to becoming the Headteacher at FWVPS has given me the opportunity to work for a number of Local Authorities in a variety of roles. My background is Music, having gained my BA Hons studying Music at Edge Hill University. I have can play a number of instruments to a high standard and performed on many stages including at Bridgewater Hall in Manchester. My ambition is to provide all learners with life-long transferable skills, to be confident, motivated and resilient learners who can effectively use their knowledge and wisdom to be effective, independent global citizens who have dignity and respect for all. Having taught from Early Years Foundation Stage through to Key Stage Two, I have a clear understanding of the necessary curriculum knowledge, high expectations and attributes needed to ensure that the children are equipped to be life-long learners in a rapidly changing world. I have been married to Aaron for nine years, we love to travel especially to New York and enjoying trying new foods and restaurants . I am a very keen gardener and love spending time relaxing and reading books in the sunshine. |
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Ruth Curtis - Staff GovernorThis is my seventh year of teaching at Frodsham Weaver Vale, having previously taught in two inner city schools in Birmingham. I have been the MFL, Literacy, Science and Music coordinator, and am currently enjoying leading History and Geography across the school. I am lucky enough to have taught several year groups over the years, with this being my fourth year in Reception. I became a staff governor in the Summer term of 2018 and enjoy having an input for the continuing development of our school . |
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Ken McLarney - Co-opted GovernorI have been a governor at Weavervale now for seven years, being nominated by the Local Authority. In 2016 I was then co-opted to the Governing team, |
Jane Smith - Staff GovernorI am Jane Smith, my son and daughter have attended Weaver Vale since nursery and I have also taken up the position of Welfare officer within the school. I am able to support young children through their journey in education, ensuring they are able to access it in the best possible way. I joined the governing body as an enthusiastic volunteer in March 2013. The role is very challenging and time consuming but necessary to help ensure the school moves forward and continues to improve. |
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Stephanie Cawte - Parent GovernorI joined the governing body as a parent governor when my two sons joined in 2017. My youngest son has a disability so I am hoping to be the voice for all disabled children within the school. I have joined the team to be a part of parents' voice and assist with community fundraising as I am at the school daily. We moved to Frodsham from Runcorn four years ago and live very locally to the school. |
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GOVERNOR STATUTORY INFORMATION for Sept 2020-21
Name |
​Category |
​Appointing body |
​Term runs till |
​Responsibilities |
Registered interests |
Martin Mckee | Co-Opted | Governors | September 2024 | GDPR | None |
Tom Tilley | Co-opted | Governors | February 2025 | Works for Weaver Vale Housing Trust | |
Peter Van Geffen |
Headteacher |
School |
- |
Headteacher |
Head teacher |
Ken McLarney |
Co-opted |
Governors |
November 2022 |
Safeguarding / Child protection |
​None |
Rebecca Goldsmith |
Parent |
Parents |
June 2022 |
SEND |
Parent of child at FWVPS |
Ruth Curtis |
Staff |
Staff |
March 2022 |
Website |
Works at school |
Jane Smith |
Co-opted |
Governors |
June 2021 |
Training Liason |
Works at school |
Colin Whelan |
Co-opted |
Governors |
November 2022 |
Chair of governors. Disadvantaged / pupil premium. |
Parent of child at FWVPS |
Christine Owen |
Local Authority |
Governors |
September 2024 |
Vice Chair of governing body. SFVS working party Lead. |
None |
Steph Cawte | Parent | Parents |
June 2022 |
Emotional health and wellbeing of staff and children. | Parent of child at FWVPS |
Sally Baker |
Co-opted (Staff) |
Governors |
March 2023 |
Pupil Premium / COVID19 Pupil Recovery |
Deputy headteacher |
Frodsham Weaver Vale Primary School Governing Board Attendance Register for the Academic Year 2019/20
Governor Attendance 2019-20
Name |
Full Governing Board | Additional Full Governing Board | Full Governing Board | Buildings, Premises and HSE Committee | Teaching and Learning Committee | Finance and Staffing Committee | ||||||||
21/11/20 | 05/02/20 | 20/05/20 | 03/06/20 | 01/07/20 | 07/11/19 | 17/10/19 | 21/10/19 | |||||||
Peter Van Geffen |
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Colin Whelan |
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Christine Owen |
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Apologies |
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Ian Bleasdale |
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Resigned |
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Ken McLarney |
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Apologies |
Apologies |
Apologies |
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Apologies |
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Sally Baker |
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Apologies |
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Ruth Curtis |
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Steph Cawte |
Apologies |
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Rebecca Goldsmith | Apologies |
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Apologies |
No Apologies |
Apologies |
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Apologies |
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Jane Smith |
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Jackie Frodsham |
No Apologies |
Resigned |
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Emily Tobin |
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Resigned |
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