What is the role of a Governing Body?

• 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.

What is the role of a Governor?

To ask the right questions, such as:

1. 1Which groups of pupils are the highest and lowest performing, and why?
2. Do you have credible plans for addressing under-performance or less than expected progress? How will we know that things are improving?
3. Which year groups or subjects get the best and worst results and why? \how doses this relate to the quality of teaching in the school? What is your strategy for improving the areas of weakest performance?
4. How are you going to raise standards for all children, including the most and least able, those with special educational needs, those receiving free school meals, boys and girls, those of a particular ethnicity, and any who are currently underachieving? How will we know if your approach is working?
5. Do we have the right staff and the right development and reward arrangements?
6. What is the school’s approach to implementation of pay reform and performance related pay? If appropriate, is it compliant with the most up to date version of the School Teachers Pay and Conditions Document?
7. Is this a happy school with a positive learning culture? What is our track record on attendance, behaviour and bullying? Are safeguarding procedures securely in place? What are you doing to address any current issues, and how we will know if it is working?
8. How good is our wider offer to pupils? Is the school offering a good range of sports, arts and voluntary activities? Is the school food healthy and popular?
9. Do we listen to what pupils and parents are telling us?

What does being a Governor involve?

• Two full Governing Body (FGB) meetings a term, including reading papers beforehand
• Involvement in one or more sub-committees
• Linking to a particular curriculum are or other area of activity
• Visiting the school to observe lessons and talk to staff and children
• Undertaking relevant training
• Supporting school activities

What does being a Governor not involve?

• Being an education specialist – just an interest in teaching and learning in its widest sense.
• Raising personal ‘hobby-horses’ or your own child-related issues – ‘Hobby-horses’ have no place and your child-related issues should be discussed with their teacher.
• Being a spokesperson or lobbyist for parents – you’re not required to represent the views of every other parent, just to share your perspective as a parent in the discussions and decisions.
• Sharing the ‘insider’ story – there are some items on the agenda within the confidential section which might affect a pupil or staff member and must remain confidential. The general minutes are publicly available

We need parent governors!

If you care about education become a parent governor!

All schools need committed parent governors – people who are willing to take an active interest in the life of the school.  Governors are elected/appointed for four years.

It is important that governors reflect the local community.  People of all backgrounds, cultures and races have a valuable contribution to make and should think about becoming a governor.

Who are the governors?

• parents, elected by parents of children at the school
• teachers, elected by teaching staff at the school
• the headteacher
• staff, elected by the support staff at the school
• people appointed by the Borough of Lewisham, some of whom are nominated by the local political parties
• community, people chosen by the governing body to represent the local community or because they have a particular interest or experience

What do governors do?

• advise and support the headteacher
• meet together regularly to discuss that running of the school
• help ensure all children and young people have an equal chance to succeed at school
• visit the school to see how it works
• select the headteacher and staff
• keep under review the aims and curriculum of the school
• decide how money allocated to the school is spent
• sit on panels to consider pupil exclusion, parental complaints, staff grievance and discipline issues
• ensure that the right provision is made for pupils with special educational needs
• work in partnership with the school, parents, the local community and Lewisham  

How much time will it take?

There is at least one full governors’ meeting each term

In addition you may be asked to join a committee which meets more frequently and reports back to the full governors’ meeting

You will need to visit the school so you can get to know the staff, pupils and parents.  The better you know the school, the more confident you will feel in making decisions.  It is suggested that you visit during the school day for at least one morning or afternoon each term – please make an appointment with the headteacher

With so much for governors to learn, all schools have the opportunity to buy into Lewisham governor training programme.

Parent governor elections

Why become a parent governor?

Parents are a major source of support for the school.  Schools are more effective if there is regular and positive dialogue with parents and if parents are involved in the work of the school.  Parent governors are one of the ways parents can take part in the life of the school.  You might find it helpful to talk to the outgoing parent governor(s) about what is involved.

Black and ethnic minority parents are currently under-represented on governing bodies. Parents from these groups are particularly encouraged to consider standing for election.

How to become a parent governor?

You will be given details of the parent governor elections.  You do not have to wait to be nominated, you can put your own name forward.  You will probably be asked to give some information about yourself.

How long do I have to be a governor for?

You serve for four years from the date you are elected.   Even if your child leaves, you can still remain a parent governor for the full four years. Any governor may of course choose to resign before his/her term of office ends: this should be done in writing to the Clerk to Governors.

Are parent governors different from other governors?

Parent governors have the same status, duties and responsibilities as other members of the governing body.  They have no power to take action as governor unless they have been asked to do so by the governing body.

Parent governors are not elected to represent the parents but to bring the voice of the parents to the governing body.  Although parent governors may be regarded as the official channel for parents’ views they do not have to consult with the body of parents before they can speak or act as governors.

Am I allowed to talk about governing body meetings?

Most governing bodies aim to keep confidential items to a minimum, however, all governors need to bear in mind that indiscreet talk about what has been said or decided at a governors’ meeting can cause problems.  Governors need to feel secure enough to speak openly and make decisions without fear that their every word will be reported.

In general all governors should make sure that they never discuss individual children or adults outside the governing body, if they have gained information about them as a result of being a governor.

GOVERNING BODY STRUCTURE 24/25

 

Converted to the Southwark Diocesan Multi-Academy Trust 01/09/2024

12 governor places

• Headteacher 1
• Staff 1
• Appointed by the London Borough of Lewisham 1
• Elected parents of pupils attending the school 2
• Foundation 7

COMMITTEE STRUCTURE

• Strategic
• Finance and personnel
• Curriculum and Achievement
• Children Family and Community
• Admissions
• Premises

Pupil Discipline Committee / Staff Discipline Committee / Staff Discipline Appeal Committee / Pay Appeal Committee / Complaints Committee

These committees meet as and when required, with a minimum of three eligible governors to be drawn from a pool of all members of the Governing Body, subject to availability and with regard to any declared conflicts of interest. 

 

St Stephen’s C. of E. Primary School Governing Body 2024/25

 

Governors’ details (for each governor who has served at any point over the past 12 months)

 

FULL NAME	CATEGORY	APPOINTED BY	DATE OF APPT	TERM OF OFFICE (NO OF YEARS AND END DATE)		DATE RESIGNED	COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP	RESPONSIBILITIES	VOTING RIGHTS (if applicable))
Udachi Adeniyi	Staff	Staff Members	17/09/22	4	16/09/26		Faith	Mental Health/ PHSE/ RSE
Sandra Baiden	Foundation	PCC	22/01/20	4	21/01/24		Faith Finance and Personnel	Literacy Link
Michael Bailey	Foundation	ex officio		n/a	n/a		Children Family & Community Faith (Chair)	Vice Chair
Dwayne Edwards	Parent	Parent Body	14/12/22	4	13/12/26		Faith	EYFS
Tabitha Fyffe	Parent	Parent Body	30/11/19	4	29/11/23		Children Family & Communities	Safeguarding
Frances Holland	Headteacher	ex officio	01/09/08	n/a	n/a		*
Irene Olaleye	Foundation	PCC	11/03/19	4	10/03/23		Children Family & Community Admissions	SEND Link Website Link
Colin Plant	Foundation	SDBE	10/12/21	4	09/12/25		Finance and Personnel	Treasurer Foundation Subjects Link
Philip Ratcliff	LA	Governing Body	16/10/18	4	15/10/22		Curriculum & Achievement (Chair) Premises (Chair) Strategic (Chair) Admissions (Chair) Children, Family & Community	Chair of Governors ICT Link Training Link Performance Management (Staff) Leadership

All governors are members of the Curriculum & Achievement committee.       * All committees except Children, Family and Community, and Faith Team

ST STEPHEN’S CE PRIMARY SCHOOL GOVERNING BODY

(Converted to Southwark Diocesen Board Multi- Academy Trust 01/09/24)

GOVERNING BODY MEMBERSHIP:                12 governors

CATEGORIES OF GOVERNOR:                       Headteacher

Staff (1)

LA Nominated (1)

Parent Elected (2)

Foundation (7)

 

CHAIR OF GOVERNORS:                                  Philip Ratcliff

CLERK TO GOVERNORS:                                 Benjamin Washington

STANDING COMMITTEES:                                

Strategic

Finance and Personnel

Curriculum and Achievement

Children Family and Community

Admissions

Premises

STATUTORY COMMITTEES:                           

Statutory Committees include the Pupil Discipline, Staff Discipline, Pay Appeals and Parent Complaints. These committees meet as and when required, with a minimum of three eligible governors to be drawn from a pool of all members of the Governing Body subject to availability and with regard to any declared conflicts of interest.

Who are St Stephen's governors and what do they do?

Below you can find out a bit more about each of the governors, who they are, what type of governor they are, something of their background and skills, and also why they are one of the governors. Phillip Ratcliff is the Chair of the Governing Body and Ken Kitson is the Vice-Chair.

School governors come from every walk of life. There are over 300,000 school governors in England and they form the largest volunteer force in the country.

Each individual governor is a member of a governing body, which is established in law as a corporate body. Individual governors may not act independently of the rest of the governing body. Decisions are the joint responsibility of the governing body.

The role of the governing body is a strategic one, its key functions are to:

• set the aims and objectives for the school
• set the policies for achieving those aims and objectives
• set the targets for achieving those aims and objectives
• monitor and evaluate the progress the school is making towards achievement of its aims and objectives
• be a source of challenge and support to the headteacher (a critical friend)

The headteacher is responsible for the internal organisation, management and control of the school and the implementation of the strategic framework established by the governing body.

Here are our school Governors:

Philip Ratcliff - Chair of Governors

 
Type of Governor: Local Authority
Committees/Responsibilities: Chair of Governors, Curriculum and Achievement, Strategic Link Governor for Staff ICT, Performance Management and Leadership
Areas of Professional Experience/Interest: Learning and Development, Organisation Development, Project Management and Communications
Why I’m a St Stephen's Governor: St Stephen’s is already a fantastic school, known for its teaching and learning and "family atmosphere". I want to contribute to its continued development so that it can be formally recognised as an outstanding school, supporting the work to make sure that the partnership between pupils, teachers and parents works to the very best of everyone.
 

Fr Michael Bailey

Type of Governor: Foundation (Parochial Church Council) - ex officio as the Parish Priest

Committees/Responsibilities: Curriculum & Achievement, Faith, Children and Family & Community
Areas of Professional Experience/Interest:  I am the Parish Priest of St Stephen's with St Mark's, Lewisham. I have been in Holy Orders for 10 years, and I have been a school Governor, all my ordained life. My interests are helping young people to develop their faith in God and to care them, their families and the staff. I also enjoy history and football and look forward to meeting new people. 

Why I'm a St Stephen's Governor: Being a Governor at St Stephen's is very important to me because Jesus calls us to see Him in the young and the old alike.

Irene Olaleye

Type of Governor: Foundation (Parochial Church Council)
Committees/Responsibilities: Curriculum & Achievement, Link Governor for SEND and School Website 
Areas of Professional Experience/Interest: My working background has generally been Office Management and Administration in various industries including the Wine Trade and Telecoms and more recently in Children's Centres in the Royal Borough of Greenwich.  
Why I’m a St Stephens Governor: As a former pupil myself, and also a parishioner of St Stephen's Church I am obviously enthusiastic about our school, and want to ensure all its pupils reach their full potential, and that the school continues to strive towards being Outstanding. This is most certainly achievable, given the calibre and commitment of the staff and Governing Body. I'm keen to strengthen the link between the Church and school, in order to maintain the teaching of Christian values. With roots embedded within the school in the form of my 4 children; who've benefited immensely from their time at St Stephen's, I'm familiar with the day-to-day running of the school and can provide an alternative, parent perspective. 

Ukachi Adeniyi

Type of Governor: Staff
Committees/Responsibilities: Curriculum & Achievement, Link Governor for Mental Health/PSHE/RSE

Areas of Professional Experience/Interest: I have worked at St Stephens as a teaching assistant since 2009 and thus am very familiar with the school. I also have a background in law, having practised as a solicitor for a number of years. I am a church member and have had the pleasure and privilege of being a Sunday School Teacher for 30 years. 
Why I'm a St Stephen's Governor: Having worked at the school for this length of time and seen at first hand the tireless dedication of the staff, commitment of the parents and zeal of the children, I feel honoured to have the opportunity to serve the school in this capacity. As a Christian I’m dedicated to the ethos of the school in seeking to train and educate children in a loving and safe environment underpinned by Christian values. My own children passed through St Stephens and bear witness to the positive experience they had at this gem of a school. As a member of the Governing Body, I hope that I can play my part in the school’s continual pursuit of excellence. 

Briony Krikorian

Type of Governor: Parent

Committees/Responsibilities: Curriculum & Achievement

Areas of Professional Experience/Interest:  Professionally I have a financial services and legal background and look forward to bringing that experience to support the head and teachers in the school

Why I'm a St Stephen's Governor: I am pleased to be able to serve as a parent governor of St Stephen’s. My children are in Year 3 and Reception and we have enjoyed watching them grow in confidence academically alongside their friends.

I am deeply invested in the outcomes for all the children in the school, both in terms of education and developing wider values. I am a practising Christian, serving on children’s groups at my church, and value the careful teaching the school provides on all religions.

I am committed to being a governor through attending meetings and visiting the school on occasion during the day.

 

Mimi Gom

Type of Governor: Parent

Committees/Responsibilities: Curriculum & Achievement

Areas of Professional Experience/Interest:  I have a background in financial advice having worked in banking in the past. I am also an active participant and volunteer in my local church. I live locally and will ensure that I am available as and when required for meetings.

Why I'm a St Stephen's Governor:  My son started attending St. Stephen’s in January 2020 in the nursery, and his sister joined the nursery in January 2022, and they absolutely love St. Stephens. They are now in Y4 & Y2. It has become an integral part of our family life. I am privileged to be part of the governing body and play a part in the school's students thriving and excelling. I believe schools are the heart of a community, and effective governance plays a vital role in shaping their success.

I am prepared to dedicate the time and energy required for this role, including attending meetings, reviewing documentation, and participating in training. I am also keen to contribute to areas where my skills can be of particular value. I am honoured to contribute to the school’s continued growth and impact

 

Tayo O'Shea (from 1 Dec 2025)

Type of Governor: SDBE Foundation Governor

Committees/Responsibilities: Safeguarding, Curriculum & Achievement

Areas of Professional Experience/Interest:  I work for a Christian charity where I deliver early-intervention knife crime prevention workshops in primary schools, helping children make positive choices early on. I also mentor young women in prison, supporting them to rebuild confidence and plan for a better future. Before that, I worked as a youth worker and managed a financial assessments team for a borough council. All of this has taught me how important it is to listen, to be patient, and to always look for ways to remove barriers so that young people can thrive.

Why I'm a St Stephen's Governor:  I am pleased to serve as a governor because I care deeply about our school and the children who are part of it. I have two children here at St Stephen’s, one in Y2 and one in Y5. I also have two older ones, aged 18 and 22, so I’ve been through many stages of parenting! I have also had experience both with mainstream schooling and home educating for two years, which gave me a real appreciation for how different children learn and what kind of support they need to do well.

As a parent and someone who works closely with young people, I believe that every child deserves to be seen, supported, and believed in - no matter what challenges they face. I am passionate about making sure our school continues to be a place where children feel safe, included, and encouraged to do their best. I am fully committed to the training and development needed to be an effective governor. I would bring my experience, my energy, and my heart to the role; working with the rest of the board to help shape a school environment that gives every child the best chance to succeed.