Governors

School Governors are people who want to make a positive contribution to children’s education. They are one of the largest volunteer forces in the country and have an important part to play in raising school standards. Governors commit a lot of voluntary time and energy to their role. The role of the Local Governing Board is absolutely key to the effectiveness of a school. Time and time again Ofsted (the national inspection body for schools) has noted that the most effective schools demonstrate effective leadership and management – including by the Local Governing Board.

The responsibilities of the Headley Park Local Governing Body are determined by the Cathedral Schools Trust Scheme of Delegation. The CST Governance arrangements can be found here.

CST is a family of 3 secondaries and 6 primaries who have a governance structure of Members, Trustees and Local Governing Bodies with responsibilities specified in the Scheme of Delegation. The names of Members, Trustees, the Funding Agreement, Articles of Association and Scheme of Delegation are available here.  

The Governors at Headley Park work with Cathedral School Trust Trustees to provide strategic leadership and accountability in the school. They devolve day to day operational decisions to the Headteacher and school Senior Leadership Team but strategically they work with school staff to make decisions that ensure all pupils achieve their best.

Individual Governors at Headley Park are members of the Local Governing Board, which has its activities detailed through the Trust Scheme of Delegation. Up to 2 Governors are elected by parent/carers whilst others are appointed to meet specific skills required to perform the three core roles below. However, Governors are not representatives of particular parts of the school community and are bound by the code of conduct to act in the overall best interests of the school. Governors will:

  1. Ensure clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction;
  2. Hold the headteacher to account for the educational performance of the school and its pupils; and
  3. Oversee the financial performance of the school and making sure its money is well spent.

Further information on the roles of governors can be found on the Ofsted and National Governors Association websites.

Governor roles and responsibilities at Headley Park

Name

Category of Governor (and appointing body)

Position/Role

From

To

Register of interests

Jessica Swain

Ex-officio

Headteacher

09/2024

Current

Headteacher at HPPS

Geoff Mountjoy

Co-opted

Co-Chair

09/2023

Current

None

Vicky Gallett

Parent

Co-Chair

01/2017

Current

None

Stacey Weeden

Parent

Safeguarding

12/2021

Current

None

Jessica Roberts

Co-opted

Curriculum and standards

09/2021

Current

None

Martin Fry

Co-opted

Health and Safety

01/2024

Current

None

Ross Hamilton

Co-opted

Finance

05/2018

Current

None

Karen Trent

Staff

Staff Governor

09/2021

Current

Teacher at HPPS

Georgina Bessell

Co-opted

Staff Governor

09/2024

Current

Teacher at HPPS

Governors who have stepped down

Dan Brown

Co-opted

Inclusion

11/2018-05/2024

Alex Gingell Ex-officio Headteacher 09/2020-09/2024
Nikki Cotterill Co-opted Chair of Governors 01/2014-08/2023
Mia Sanchez Co-opted   12/2020-08/2023
Laura Whiteway Co-opted Health and Safety 07/2021-08/2023

Local Governing Body Meetings - Attendance: September 2022 - August 2023

Name

Number of Possible Meetings

Number of Meetings Attended

Alex Gingell

6

6

Nikki Cotterill

6

5

Vicky Gallett

6

6

Stacey Weeden

6

6

Mia Sanchez

6

2

Jessica Roberts

6

3

Laura Whiteway

6

4

Ross Hamilton

6

3

Dan Brown

6

5

Karen Trent

6

6

 

If you wish to contact the Co-Chairs, you can write to them at: Headley Park Primary School, Headley Lane, Bristol, BS13 7QB or email via the school office at office@headleypark.bristol.sch.uk.

If you wish to see copies of the minutes of any meetings, please email the school office FAO Rachel Burnell, Clerk to Governors.