The purpose of the Governing Body is to conduct the school with a view to promoting high standards of educational achievement. Its three core strategic functions are:
- Ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction;
- Holding the Headteacher to account for the educational performance of the school and its pupils, and the performance management of staff; and
- Overseeing the financial performance of the school and making sure its money is well spent.
Governor Committee Structure
| Name | Representing | Term of Office ends | Committee | Responsibilities | Material Interests |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mrs Dawn Dunn - Head Teacher | Curric & Standards, Finance & Premises, 1st/Pay Review, Staffing | Advisory only for Pay Review | Director, Hazel Dene Childcare Ltd. | ||
| Mrs Lynsey Johnson | Staff | 28.2.25 | Curric & Standards | None | |
| Mrs Stacey Deinali | Co-opted | 22.9.24 | Curric & Standards; Finance & Premises (Chair); Appeals | Link for EY; Art; D&T; Music | Director, Stars CIC |
| Mr Andrew Stafford - Vice-Chair | Local Authority | 17.10.24 | Curric & Standards, Finance & Premises, Pay Review/1st Committee, Staffing, HTA | Link for English & Maths | None |
| Mrs Laura Jamieson - Chair | Parent Representative | 30.1.28 | Curric & Standards (Chair), Finance & Premises, Staffing; 1st/Pay Review, HTA | Link for Safeguarding; Pupil Premium | None |
| Mrs Gemma Morris | Co-opted | 31.8.27 | Curric & Standards; 1st/Pay Review | Co-link for English & Maths | None |
| Mrs Natalie Cox | Parent Representative | 3.10.26 | Curric & Standards; Finance & Premises; Appeals | Link for PE; Computing; Science | Peterlee Fire Company |
| Mr John Gillette | Co-opted | 10.10.26 | Curric & Standards; Staffing; Appeals | Link for Humanities; RE | Trustee, Zambezi Sunrise Trust |
| Mrs Clare Garside | Co-opted | 7.6.27 | Curric & Standards | Link for Early Years | Manager, Hazel Dene Childcare Ltd. |
| Miss Madelaine Fallow | Parent Representative | 27.9.27 | Curric & Standards | Link for Welbeing | |
| Vacancy | Parent | ||||
| Vacancy | Co-opted | ||||
| Mrs Pam Fletcher | Term ended 1.9.23 | None | |||
| Mrs Alison Train | Term ended 16.10.23 | None |
Statutory Guidance for Governing Bodies
Hesleden Primary School adhere to the statutory guidance from the Department of Education. This means that governing bodies must have regard to it when carrying out duties relating to the constitution of governing bodies in maintained schools.
The Constitution of Governing Bodies of Maintained Schools (2017)
How To Become A School Governor
If you require further information on the roles and responsibilities of School Governors or you are interested in becoming one, visit the Durham County Council website School Governor section.
Governor Attendance
Schools are required to display a record of Governor attendance at meetings for each school academic year.
KEY
P – Attended meeting (Present)
A/A – Apologies sent and accepted by meeting
N – Did not attend
n/a – Not a member of the committee
Record of Attendance 2023-2024
| Name | F&P; 25.10.23 | FGB; 15.11.23 | C&S; 29.11.23 | F&P; 16.2.24 | FGB; 20.3.24 | C&S; 27.3.24 | FGB; 12.6.24 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mrs Dawn Dunn - Head Teacher | P | P | P | P | P | P | P |
| Mrs Lynsey Johnson | P (Observing) | P | P | n/a | A/A | P | P |
| Mr Andrew Stafford - Vice Chair | P | P | P | P | P | P | P |
| Mrs Laura Jamieson - Chair | P | A/A | P | P | P | P | A/A |
| Mrs Gemma Morris | n/a | P | P | n/a | A/A | P | P |
| Mrs Stacey Deinali | A/A | A/A | P | A/A | A/A | P | |
| Mrs Natalie Cox | P | P | P | P | A/A | P | A/A |
| Mr John Gillette | n/a | P | P | n/a | A/A | A/A | P |
| Mrs Clare Garside | n/a | P | n/a | P | P | P | |
| Miss Madelaine Fallow | n/a | P | n/a | P | A/A | A/A |
Archived Attendance
You can also view previous years attendance on our website.
Committee Terms of Reference
Full Governing Body
Terms of Reference
Strategic Leadership and Accountability:
- In collaboration with school leaders determine a clear and explicit vision for the future. Ensure this is communicated to the whole organisation.
- Set strong and clear values and ensure these are embedded across the organisation and adhered to.
- Determine the strategic direction for the school.
- Monitor and evaluate pupil progress and attainment by receiving reports and information from the Headteacher and other school leaders; compare against national and local benchmarks over time.
- Receive reports from committees, working parties or individuals and agree actions.
- Approve the SEF and monitor throughout the year.
- Approve the School Improvement Plan priorities and monitor throughout the year progress towards agreed actions.
- Ensure there is a transparent system for performance management of all staff which is clearly linked to the school’s priorities. Have oversight of staff performance throughout the year.
- Ensure there are mechanisms in place to listen to and respond to the views of parents/carers, pupils, staff, local communities and employers.
- Agree recruitment process to be followed in relation to Senior Leader posts; where delegated ratify appointments.
- Final approval of the annual budget plan.
- Monitor the school’s budget throughout the year.
- Agree virement and expenditure limits for the Headteacher.
- Hold at least 3 meetings each academic year. Ensure that committee meetings are held in accordance with the agreed terms of reference.
People and Structures:
- Elect and/or remove Chair of Governors and Vice Chair of Governors.
- Appoint Committee Chairs or delegate to each committee.
- Consider and agree delegation of functions to individuals or committees.
- Agree committee terms of reference and membership.
- Establish a register of Governors business interests.
- Ensure Governors information on the Get Information About Schools (GIAS) register and the school website is up to date and compliant with current requirements.
- Confirm the Instrument of Government and subsequent amendments.
- Appoint Co-opted, Local Authority and where necessary Parent Governors to the Board.
- Review and monitor the Governor Induction Process.
- Have regard for Governors professional development.
- Where necessary, suspend or remove Governors from the Board.
- Appoint/dismiss the Clerk to the Governing Body.
Compliance and Evaluation:
- Consider business provided by Local Authority and other sources
- Suspend or end suspension of staff members.
- Ensure all statutory policies are in place and there is an effective policy review cycle.
- Review and agree the Governor Code of Conduct.
- Confirm arrangements for completion of a Governor Skills Audit.
- Ensure there is regular self-evaluation and review of individual’s contribution to the Board as well as the Board’s overall operation and effectiveness.
- As necessary, consider an external review of the Board’s effectiveness.
- Ensure school website is up to date and compliant with current DfE requirements.
Curriculum and Standards Committee
Terms of Reference:
- Elect Chair
Strategic direction and statutory areas:
- Review, monitor and evaluate the curriculum offer.
- Contribute to the development and monitoring of the:
- SEF
- School Improvement Plan
- Targets for school improvement
- Develop and review policies identified within the school’s policy review programme and in accordance with its delegated powers (e.g. RHSE and pupil discipline/behaviour).
- Ensure that the school’s policy on SEND is consistent with the Code of Practice and Equalities Act, most recent KCSIE updates and receive termly reports from the Headteacher/SENDCo and an annual report from the SEND Governor.
- Ensure the SEND Policy is monitored and reviewed regularly and that the policy is known to parents/carers
- Ensure the school complies with the provisions of the Equalities Act 2010.
- Where necessary ensure that all pupils have access to independent careers advice.
Curriculum and Improvement:
- Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of leadership and management in relation to curriculum design, implementation and impact.
- Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of curriculum design
- Monitor and evaluate the school’s own assessment of the impact of the curriculum for all groups of pupils to include Reading in all key stages
- Monitor and evaluate the quality of education and the impact of the curriculum including RHSE
- Monitor and evaluate the impact of continuing professional development on improving staff performance
- Monitor and evaluate provision for all groups of vulnerable children e.g. children looked after and children in need and ensure all their needs have been identified
- Monitorand review impact of additional grant funding e.g. Pupil Premium.
- Set priorities for improvement and monitor and evaluate the impact of improvement plans which relate to the committee’s area of operation.
- Receive reports from external sources and agree actions to address recommendations; monitor and evaluate progress made.
- Ensure all children have equality of opportunities
- Monitor pupils’ attitudes, values and development of other personal qualities within the school through the provision of RHSE.
Behaviour, Personal Development and Well-Being:
- Ensure the school is fulfilling its responsibilities regarding safeguarding and child protection and the requirements of ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education’.
- Ensure Safeguarding policies are adhered to; monitor and review all safeguarding policies/procedures within school
- Monitor and review data on behaviour, bullying, child on child abuse, attendance and exclusions.
- Ensure that adequate provision is made for pupil transition.
- Consider representations from parents/carers in the case of suspensions in line with statutory guidance.
- Consider the appropriateness of any permanent exclusion or any exclusion where one or more suspensions total more than 15 school days in one term or where a pupil is denied the chance to take a public examination in line with statutory guidance.
Engagement:
- Monitor the school’s publicity, public presentation and relationships with parents/carers and the wider community
- Identify and celebrate pupil achievements
- Oversee and monitor arrangements for out of hours provision, extra-curricular activities and educational visits including overnight stays
- Ensure all statutory requirements for reporting and publishing information are met.
- Review and monitor the school’s website to ensure that it is accessible and fully compliant with current DfE requirements
- Ensure the school works well with its community, parents and other schools
MEETINGS: at least termly
QUORUM: 3
DISQUALIFICATIONS: where there may be a conflict of or pecuniary interest; any Governor whose spouse/partner is involved.
Finance, Premises and Staffing Committee
Terms of Reference
- Elect Chair
Finance:
- Review and agree the first formal budget plan of the financial year for approval by the full Governing Board.
- Establish and maintain an up-to-date three-year budget plan, taking into account priorities in the School Improvement Plan, roll projection and signals from central Government and the LA regarding future years’ budget.
- Ensure that priorities detailed within the School Improvement Plan are appropriately costed and are reflected in the annual budget.
- Monitor the capital and revenue budget position statements to identify and address any anomalies from the anticipated position and report termly to the full Governing Board
- Review and monitor outstanding debts and action taken.
- Review the Quarterly Written Report and Financial Report.
- Monitor and authorise expenditure including those over the Headteacher’s delegated limit.
- Consider and approve spending decisions where competitive quotations or tenders are required in accordance with the current Contract Procedures Rules.
- Ensure the school operates within the financial regulations of the Local Authority and the requirements of the DfE Schools Financial Value Standard (SFVS).
- Monitor the implementation of any actions identified in the Schools Financial Value Standard (SFVS).
- Monitor expenditure of all voluntary funds held on behalf of the Governing Board and receive an audited annual statement of income and expenditure.
- Annually review the outcomes of the Asset Register stock check and approve the disposal of obsolete items
- Oversee use and monitor impact all additional grant funding e.g. Pupil Premium.
- Consider and promote income generation.
- Annually review income generated from lettings, fees and charges, funding raising activities and the sale of assets.
- Monitor Extended Care provision including review of annual income and expenditure statements where applicable.
- Ensure the school has appropriate insurance cover in place.
- Annually review and adopt the school’s Financial Procedures Manual and all other finance related policies.
- Annually review and make decisions in respect of service level agreements and other contracts and lettings.
- Make decisions on expenditure following recommendations from other committees
- Ensure as far as is practical that health and safety issues are appropriately funded in accordance with agreed priorities
- Annually review financial benchmarking data.
- Monitor the implementation of actions arising from the Internal Audit report or of a financial nature from other inspection regime reports
- Ensure any instances of fraud or financial irregularity are reported immediately to the Head of Education and Skills and Chief Internal Auditor and Corporate Fraud Manager.
Premises:
- Annually approve the Health and Safety Policy ensuring that the school meets health and safety requirements.
- Ensure actions are taken in respect of relevant health and safety legislation.
- Receive an annual Health and Safety Audit Report and monitor any arising actions.
- Ensure that premises and the learning environment are maintained and are fit for purpose.
- Provide support and guidance for the Headteacher and Governing Board on all matters relating to the maintenance and development of the premises and grounds, including health and safety
- Ensure that an annual inspection of the premises and grounds is undertaken and that priorities for maintenance and development are identified.
- Ensure professional surveys and emergency works are arranged as necessary
- Oversee the use of premises by outside users.
- Annually review the school’s Accessibility Plan and Asset Management/Building Development Plan.
- Receive and consider the recommendations from the annual Energy Report.
- Ensure appropriate Risk Assessments are carried out and reviewed on a regular basis.
- Ensure inspections of the school site, buildings and equipment take place annually and at appropriate intervals and that reports are shared.
- Monitor data on accidents and incidents.
Staffing:
- Carry out an annual review of the staffing structure in consultation with the Headteacher and Finance and Premises Committee.
- Ensure the school is sufficiently staffed to fulfil the effective operation of the school and the School Improvement Plan (SIP).
- Oversee the recruitment and selection procedures for all staff.
- Keep under review work/life balance, working conditions and well-being including monitoring attendance management.
- Ensure that regular monitoring of the Single Central Record is undertaken and that it is up to date and compliant with current statutory expectations
- Ensure that the school’s policy on safeguarding and child protection is compliant with the most recent KCSIE guidance and DSCP expectations
MEETINGS: at least termly
QUORUM: 3
DISQUALIFICATIONS: where there may be a conflict of or pecuniary interest; any Governor whose spouse/partner is involved.
Delegation to the Headteacher
The School Standards and Framework Act 1998
The Governing Board can delegate to the Headteacher responsibility for deploying resources, subject to the provisions in the Scheme for the Financing of Schools in County Durham.
Expenditure
Any item of expenditure up to £5,000
Above this limit if item was previously notified to the Governing Board
Prior Finance, Premises and Staffing Committee or Chair of Governors approval (whichever is the soonest) to be sought outside of these limits and reported to the Finance, Premises and Staffing Committee at the earliest opportunity.
NOTE:
Any goods/services purchased and works to be carried out are subject to the latest Durham County Council Contract Procedures Rules as published on the School Portal.
Delegation to the Headteacher
School Staffing (England) Regulations 2009
The Governing Board can delegate the power to appoint outside the leadership group to:
- The Headteacher
- One or more Governors with the right of the Headteacher to advise
- One or more Governors and the Headteacher
Appointments
Governing Board delegates to the Headteacher and one or more Governors, responsibility for the appointment of:
- Permanent and temporary teaching staff posts
- Permanent support staff posts
- Temporary class based staff
Governing Board delegates to the Headteacher responsibility for the appointment of:
- Supply staff
- Temporary non-class based staff
Dismissals
Governing Board delegates to the Headteacher responsibility in line with the delegation in school HR policies
First / Pay Review Committee
Terms of Reference:
- Elect Chair
- Annually agree the Teachers’ Pay Policy
- Act in accordance with the Teachers’ Pay Policy when carrying out the annual review of teachers’ salaries
- Consider any requests made in accordance with HR policies e.g. leave of absence etc. (unless delegated to the Headteacher).
- Make any decisions under HR procedures adopted by the Governing Board e.g. disciplinary, grievance, ill-health, capability etc. (Unless delegated to the Headteacher).
- Lifting of Headteacher’s suspension (lifting of all other staff suspensions delegated to the Chair of Governors).
- Deal with matters relating to staffing reductions, restructures and changes to the permanent school staffing structure.
MEETINGS: at least annually
QUORUM: 3
DISQUALIFICATIONS: Headteacher; Chair of Governors (if have prior knowledge); where there may be a conflict of interest; any Governor whose spouse/partner is involved; staff (annual pay review and matters relating to staffing reductions)
Complaints Committee
- Elect Chair
- Consider complaint in accordance with the school’s Complaints Procedure.
The Complaints Committee will consist of at least three Governors with no prior involvement or knowledge of the complaint.
MEETINGS: as and when required.
QUORUM:
DISQUALIFICATIONS: Headteacher; Chair of Governors (if have prior knowledge).; Any Governor (if have prior knowledge).; where there may be a conflict of interest; staff.
Appeals Committee
Terms of Reference:
- Elect Chair
- Consider any appeal against a decision made under the HR policies adopted by the Governing Board.
- Consider any appeal against a decision made by the First/Pay Review Committee during the annual review of teachers’ salaries
- Consider any appeal against selection for redundancy through a staffing reduction procedure
MEETINGS: as and when required.
QUORUM: Must have at least the same number of Governors as were present at the original hearing.
DISQUALIFICATIONS: Headteacher; Chair of Governors (if have prior knowledge); any Governor involved in the original hearing; where there may be a conflict of interest; any Governor whose spouse/partner is involved; staff (appeals in relation to salary or staffing reduction decisions)
Headteacher’s Appraisal Review Committee
Terms of Reference:
- Elect Chair
- Set, with the support of the Local Authority Advisor the Headteacher’s annual performance objective
- Monitor throughout the year the performance of the Headteacher against agreed performance objectives.
- Review, with the support of the Local Authority Advisor achievement of performance objective
- Make recommendations to the First/Pay Review Committee in respect of the Headteacher’s annual pay progression.
MEETINGS: Autumn Term plus monitoring meetings
DISQUALIFICATIONS: Headteacher and staff
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