School Governors

Volunteering as a governor is an exciting and extremely valuable role; it is both an enjoyable activity, a superb way to learn new skills, a means of giving something back to the community and a real opportunity to make a difference to the life chances of young people.

As part of the largest volunteer force in the UK, governors work as a network to complement and enhance school leadership. On a local level, acting as a Governing Board, they provide support and challenge, ensure all statutory duties are met, appoint the head teacher and hold the school to account for the impact of its work on improving outcomes for pupils.

School governors in the UK do this through three core strategic functions:

1. Ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction
2. Holding the head teacher to account for the educational performance of the school and its pupils, and the performance management of staff
3. Overseeing the financial performance of the school and making sure its money is well spent

What we do as Governors at West Cliff?

Governors at West Cliff work collegiately and are responsible for making sure the school provides a safe environment and high quality education for all pupils. Raising educational standards and ensuring we offer outstanding pastoral care are two of our key priorities.

Together with the head teacher, we set appropriate and challenging targets each year and monitor progress regularly during scheduled meetings and school visits.

We review policies, monitor the school’s finances and act as a critical friend. As a committee, we review and make decisions on the school’s budget and staffing including the performance management policy.

We take a strong interest in how the school can foster pupils’ spiritual, moral and cultural development and are champions of the school ethos promoting equality of opportunity and inclusivity in all we do.

We play a strategic role; we do not involve ourselves with the day to day management of the school which is the responsibility of the Head and the SLT.

As a Governing Board we are accountable to parents, the local community and to the Trustees of our Academy.

Put simply, as governors we are at the heart of how school operates. It is important that we get things right; how we conduct ourselves affects the interests of pupils, staff and the reputation of the school in the community. With this in mind we are wholly committed to the 7 principles of public life (Nolan principles):

• Selflessness
• Integrity
• Objectivity
• Accountability
• Openness
• Honesty
• Leadership

Becoming a Governor

We are keen to attract people in the community and parents of children at school to become governors; people like you who can bring energy and experience to our team and can contribute to the strategic leadership of a school.

You will need to have time to dedicate to the role, be prepared to make challenging decisions, act with the very best of intentions and confidentially at all times, and to make sure their decisions are followed up.

At West Cliff our Governing Body comprises the following roles:

• Parent governors – elected by and from parents of registered pupils at the school
• Co-opted governors – are appointed by the governing body from the wider community based on the skills set offered and contribution that can be made to the strategic direction of the school
• Staff governors – elected by teaching and support staff at the school
• Head teacher – automatic place on the Local Governing Body

Please contact either that Chair of Governors, Mr Mathew Brown or Head Teacher, Mrs Christina Zanelli if you would like more information about becoming a governor.

M Brown               01947 600290                mbrown.westcliff@yeat.co.uk                   

C Zanelli               01947 602510                headteacher.westcliff@yeat.co.uk                   

Given the importance of the role and that you will be asked to speak with children on an individual or small group basis from time to time, we require that you:

1. submit a short letter of interest and/or CV
2. undertake an escorted school visit with the Headteacher
3. meet with Chair of Governors

Please note that any appointment to the Local Governing Board at West Cliff Primary School is subject to an enhanced DBS check.

Governors at West Cliff Primary School 

                                                Chair of Governors:   Mr Mathew Brown – Co-opted Governor 

                                                Vice Chair of Governors:Vacancy

                                                Governors:

                                                Vacancy – Co-opted Governor

                                                Vacancy – Co-opted Governor

                                                Vacancy – Co-opted Governor

                                                Mr M Burnett – Parent Governor

                                                Mrs A Storr – Parent Governor

                                                Mr C Thomas – Parent Governor

                                                Vacancy – Parent Governor

                                                Mrs C Zanelli – Headteacher 

                                                Ms L Evans – Staff Governor

                                                Clerk to the Governing Board

                                                Helen Stapley