Message from the Chair of Governors, Mr John Summers.

As chair of governors I would like to welcome you to St Mary’s CE Infant school. Ours is a school that succeeds due to the hard work, dedication and support of all the staff, parents and children attending the school, as governors we also have a role in ensuring that St Mary’s continues to thrive.

The role of the governing body is an interesting one and has three main tasks:

•  To contribute to strategic planning of the school
• To be a critical friend by supporting and challenging the school
• To ensure accountability for standards and quality of education

We meet regularly as a governing body and focus on what we can do to further improve teaching and learning for everyone at St Mary’s.

 We come from a variety of backgrounds and bring a variety of different experiences to the school, we can, hopefully, contribute usefully to the running of the school.

 This involves asking questions on a range of matters, contributing to the discussions of the governing body, making and helping to make decisions and accepting the majority view even when this does not reflect their own opinion. We are required to attend meetings as opportunities to make good decisions for the school and ensure the school is well run and compliant with legal requirements.

 Governors must show an interest in school activities; the everyday work of the school as well as special events. Understanding the school may involve visiting during working hours, having made advance arrangement with the Headteacher.

 There are different categories of school governor and these are outlined below:

Parent governors

Parents, including carers, of pupils are eligible to stand for election as governors. Parent governors are elected by other parents at the school.A parent governor is expected to represent the views of parents. Governors do not have to vote in accordance with parents’ opinions, but should listen to them and convey their views to the governing body. Parent governors may also report back to parents on matters that are not confidential.

 Staff governors

The Headteacher is a staff governor by virtue of their office. Other staff, both teaching and support, may become governors and are elected by the school staff.

Authority governors

LAs governors are appointed by the local authority.

Community governors

Community governors are appointed by the governing body to represent community interests. The definition of community governor is wide. People from a business or professional background and minor authority representatives can be appointed as community governors.

Foundation governors

Foundation governors are appointed by the school’s founding body, church or other organisation.  For St Mary’s school this is St Mary’s Church Witney.

St Mary’s governors are:

Mr. John Summers – Chair and Local Authority Governor

Ms. Clare Wolfe – Vice Chair and Local Authority Governor

Mrs. Yvonne Kyriacou – Acting Headteacher

Mr. Jim Alder – Community Governor

Mrs. Sue Collins – Staff Governor

Mrs. Chloe Holt – Parent Governor

Ms. Louisa Nutt – Foundation Governor

Mrs. Claire O’Connell – Parent Governor

Mrs. Katy Miller – Parent Governor

Ms. Cathy Dunn – Parent Governor

Dr. Elizabeth Thompson – Foundation Governor

Mrs. Helen Williams – Community Governor

 If you are interested in becoming a governor or would like to find out about the role of the governors please speak to any of us or email the Chair via office.3207@st-marys-witney.oxon.sch.uk.  Alternatively you can find more information at www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/governors