The Governors work closely with the Headteacher, school staff and representative from the Local Authority (LA). The information contained on this page was accurate as of September 2019.
The Governing Body of Tow Law Millennium Primary School has a strong focus on its three core strategic functions:
1. Ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction;
2. Holding the Headteacher to account for the educational performance of the school and its pupils, and the performance management of staff; and
3. Overseeing the financial performance of the school and making sure its money is well spent.
Governors have had a very proactive year. They have completed a full skills audit. This term they are reviewing all roles and responsibilities ensuring the right people are appointed to the right areas and vacancies are filled with the people with the skills to strengthen the existing team of committed people.
As well as meeting as a full body, the governors also meet in smaller committees whose decisions are then confirmed by the full Governing Body. Effective use of working parties this year has strengthened the effectiveness of the Governing Body ensuring accountability and timeliness of decisions.
Some governors take a particular responsibility for an area of the school’s work, for example, our Chair of Governors is responsible for Safeguarding. At the start of this year, Governors are focusing on their roles and responsibilities and then we will update the current document on the website.
Governors regularly come into school to work with staff, pupils and parents. The focus for Autumn term is reading and Spring term ‘Times Tables Rock Stars’. For more information relating to this, please contact the Headteacher.
Following feedback from parents, we have moved our annual audits from the busy summer term to the second half of the autumn term. Once collated the results will be added to the website and discussed with the Safeguarding group. An action plan will be drawn up to ensure effective communication to all stakeholders.
In Summer 2019, we welcomed Lisa Croft as our new Chair of Governors and Councillor Richard Manchester as Vice Chair. If you need to contact them please address correspondence c/o the school and the Clerk to the Governing Body is Joanne Nicholson, School & Governor Support Service, Education Department, County Hall, Durham, DH1 5UJ.
Governor Newsletter Summer 2019
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.
Statutory Guidance for Governing Bodies
Tow Law Millennium Primary School, adhere to the statutory guidance from the Department for 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. For further information please view or download the documents below.
The Constitution of Governing Bodies of Maintained Schools (2017)
Induction Policy Governors 2019
Instrument of Governance November 2019
Annual Statement of Governance 2019
Committee Structure
Our committee structure is currently under review and will be updated after the next meeting. March 2020.
| Name | Date of appointment | Term of Office Ends | Representing | Committee | Responsibilities | Register of Interest | Governance roles in other Educational Establishments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lisa Croft (Chair) | 04/04/2019 | 05/04/2021 | Co-opted | Finance, Premises & Personnel First / Pay Review Headteacher's Performance Safeguarding & curriculum | More Able and Talented Safeguarding EYFS Core Subjects (English and Maths) Assessment | None | |
| Cllr Richard Manchester | 07/02/2018 | 06/02/2022 | Local Authority | Headteacher's Performance First / Pay Review | Foundation Subjects (Humanities) Sports Premium | Durham Hens Durham County Council Durham & Darlington combined fire authority Three Towns Partnership Chair | LA Governor Stanley Crook Primary School |
| John Hart | 26/03/2019 | 25/03/2022 | Co-opted | Appeals Safeguarding & curriculum | Communication (FB & Website) SMSC & British Values | Dlighted (property firm – inactive) | Acting Governance Manager Tees Valley combined authority |
| Stephen Hall | 19/03/2018 | 18/03/2022 | Parent | Finance, Premises & Personnel First / Pay Review Headteacher's Performance | Health and Safety | None | |
| Claire Wild | 07/04/2017 | 06/04/2022 | Parent | First / Pay Review | Core Subjects (Science and IT) | None | |
| Lisa Jackson (Head Teacher) | Staff | Finance, Premises & Personnel Safeguarding & curriculum | Safeguarding Special Educational Needs Curriculum Core Subjects Pupil Premium LGBTQ+ Looked After | None | |||
| Jenny Mountain | 30/06/2019 | 29/06/2021 | Co-opted | Appeals | Special Educational Needs Wellbeing | None | |
| Nicola Mawson | 28/11/2019 | 27/11/2023 | Staff | Safeguarding & curriculum | Core Subjects (Maths, English, Science and IT) Foundation Subjects (Humanities) Sports Premium Safeguarding & Prevent GDPR | None | |
| Jenny Linsley | 04/12/2019 | 03/12/2023 | Co-opted | Finance, Premises & Personnel | Reading | None | Parent Governor, Ramshaw Primary School |
| Steven Matthews | 22/10/2019 | 21/10/2023 | Parent | None | |||
| Russell Bell | Stepped down 16/07/2019 | Burnhill | |||||
| Steve Peat | Stepped down 06/02/2018 | ||||||
| Lorraine Collier | Stepped down 07/07/2019 |
Governor Pen Portraits
Governor Attendance
Schools are now required to display a record of Governor’s attendance at meetings for each school academic year. You can also view previous years attendance on our website.
TLMPS Governors – Attendance Register 2019-2020
TLMPS Governors – Attendance Register 2018-2019
TLMPS Governors – Attendance Register 2017-2018
TLMPS Governors Attendance Register 2016-2017
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