Our Governing Body - Seaham Harbour Nursery

Governors work closely with headteachers, school staff and representatives from the local authority (LA).

Governing Body Committee Structure

Name	Representing	Term of Office	Committee	Responsibilities	Register of Interests	Relationship to Staff
Mrs Ann-Marie Green - Chair	Local Authority	19/06/2023 - 18/06/2027	Curriculum Finance Premises & Grounds First/Pay Review	Chair	none	-
Mr Richard Williams (Vice Chair)	Co-opted	14/10/2023 - 14/10/2027	Curriculum Finance Premises & Grounds First/Pay Review Performance Management Personnel	Vice Chair Health & Safety	none	Daughter is employee
Mrs Julie Richardson	Co-opted	16/12/2022 - 15/12/2026	Curriculum Finance Premises & Grounds First/Pay Review Performance Management		none	-
Mrs Anita Marshall	Co-opted	14/10/2023 - 13/10/2027	Curriculum Finance Premises & Grounds		none	-
Mrs Rebecca Mastrangelo	Co-opted	06/03/2020 - 05/03/2024	Curriculum Appeals Performance Management	Safeguarding Assessment	none	-
Mrs Carole Scott - Headteacher	Staff	01/09/2015 - ongoing	Curriculum Finance Premises & Grounds First/Pay Review (Advisor) Personnel (Advisor)	Headteacher	Governor at another school	-
Miss Charlotte Bagley	Co-opted	20/06/2022 - 19/06/2026
Mrs Sue Wilson - Deputy Headteacher	Staff	16/12/2022 - 15/12/2026	Curriculum	Deputy Headteacher	none	-
Mrs Emilie Wardell	Parent Governor

Recent Resignation:

Mrs Danielle Brown – resigned 19/2/2025
Mrs Stacey Richardson – resigned 27/1/2025
Mr Stephen Brown- resigned 14/10/2024
Mrs Emma Watson – resigned 13/6/2023
Mrs Pamela Arkley – resigned 16/11/2020
Mr David Gibson – resigned 10/04/2020
Mrs Stephanie Kijo – resigned 12/03/20
Mrs Gayle Sumby – resigned 13/03/2020
Mrs Becky Robson – resigned 15/07/2019
Mrs Nicola Robinson – resigned 11/04/2019

Statutory Guidance for Governing Bodies

Seaham Harbour Nursery School adhere to the statutory guidance from the Department of 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.

Find out more about our Governors by downloading the documents below:

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.

Governor Attendance

Schools are now required to display a record of Governor attendance at meetings for each school academic year.

KEY
✓ – Attended meeting
A/A – Apologies sent and accepted by meeting
N – Did not attend
n/a – Not a member of the committee

Record of Attendance 2023-2024

Name	Full Governing Body 09/11/23	Finance, Premises & Grounds 09/11/23	First Pay Review 09/11/23
Mrs Ann-Marie Green - Chair	✓	✓	✓
Mr Richard Williams	✓	✓	✓
Mr Stephen Brown	A/A	n/a	n/a
Mrs Anita Marshall	✓	✓	n/a
Mrs Julie Richardson	✓	✓	n/a
Mrs Rebecca Mastrangelo	A/A	n/a	n/a
Mrs Carole Scott - Headteacher	✓	✓	✓
Miss Charlotte Bagley	✓	✓	✓
Mrs Sue Wilson - Assistant Headteacher	✓	✓	n/a
Mrs Stacey Richardson	✓	n/a	n/a
Mrs Danielle Brown	A/A	n/a	n/a
Mrs Becky Thompson	✓	n/a	n/a
Mr Philip Chater	✓	✓	✓

Archived Attendance
You can also view previous years attendance on our website.

Committee Terms of Reference

Finance, Premises and Grounds Committee

CHAIR: Mr R Williams
MEMBERS: Mrs AM Green, Mrs S Kijo, Mr D Gibson, Mrs A Marshall, Mrs J Richardson, Mrs C Scott

Terms of Reference:

Consider all matters received from the Local Authority relating to the financial aspects of the Authority’s scheme for the Financing of Schools (Fair Funding)
In conjunction with the Headteacher to draft the first formal budget plan of the financial year, for approval by the full Governing Body.
To establish and maintain an up to date 3 year financial plan.
To monitor income and expenditure, including virement decisions, significant anomalies from the anticipated position and report termly to the Governing Body.
To ensure the school operates within the financial regulations of the County Council and the requirements of the DfE School Financial Value Standard.
To monitor expenditure of all voluntary funds kept on behalf of the Governing Body.
To annually review charges and remissions policies and expenses policies.
To make decisions in respect of service level agreements.
To make decisions on expenditure following recommendations from other committees.
To prepare financial statements for inclusion in any reports to parents.
To ensure as far as is practical that any Health and Safety (H&S) issues are appropriately funded in accordance with priorities.
To ensure that Pay Review Committee and Pay Appeal Committee decisions are appropriately funded.
Inspection/reporting repair and maintenance to Buildings & Grounds.
Buildings and Grounds Improvements.
Tendering procedures.
Purchase & disposal of Furniture and Equipment.
Oversee the use of the premises by outside users.
Establish and keep under review an asset management /building development plan.
Establish and keep under review an Accessibility Plan.

Meetings: termly, or each half term, planned to coincide with Oracle.
Disqualifications: when there may be a conflict of interest; a fair hearing is required; or a pecuniary interest. Associate Members may not vote.

Personnel Committee

CHAIR: Mrs B Robson
MEMBERS: Mr S Brown, Mrs AM Green, Mr R Williams, Mrs C Scott (Advisor)

Terms of Reference:

To carry out an annual review of the staffing structure in consultation with the Headteacher and the Finance Committee.
To oversee the appointment procedure for all staff.
To establish and review a performance management policy for all staff.
To keep under review work/life balance, working conditions and well being, including the monitoring of absence.
To make recommendations to the Finance Committee on Personnel-related expenditure.

Meetings: Half Termly.
Pecuniary interest.

Delegation to the Headteacher

School Staffing (England) Regulations 2009
Appointment: The Governing Body delegates the power to appoint outside the leadership group to:

One or more Governors and the Headteacher.

Delegate to the Headteacher as above for:

Permanent teaching staff posts
Permanent support staff posts

Delegate to the Headteacher only for:

Temporary staff

Dismissals: Governing Body delegates to Headteacher, with one Governor or more, responsibility for the dismissal of:

All staff other than Headteacher, unless exceptional circumstances exist
Headteacher to a committee of the Governing Body.

First/Pay Review Committee

CHAIR: Mrs AM Green
MEMBERS: Mr D Gibson, Mr R Williams, Mr S Brown, Mrs S Kijo, Mrs C Scott (Advisor)

Terms of Reference:

To act in accordance with the Teachers Pay Policy adopted by the Governing Body.
To make any decisions under the personnel procedures adopted by the Governing Body, eg disciplinary, grievance, ill health etc where the Headteacher is the subject of the action.
To make any decisions relating to a member of staff (other than the Headteacher) under the Personnel procedures adopted by the Governing Body (after delegation to the Headteacher).
Reducing the staffing.

Meetings: as and when necessary.

Disqualifications: The Headteacher; the Chair of Governors (if he/she has prior knowledge or involvement) Spouse/partner. Staff members cannot take part in any decisions.

Delegation to the Headteacher

Under the 2009 Staffing Regulations the Governing Body determines the extent to which it delegates to the Headteacher responsibility, up to and including initial dismissal decisions for school staff.

Appeals Committee

CHAIR: Mrs B Robson
MEMBERS: Mrs P Arkley, Mrs R Mastrangelo, Ms N Robinson, Miss C Bagley

Terms of Reference:

To consider any appeal against a decision to dismiss a member of staff made by the First/Pay Review Committee (or Headteacher if delegated).
To consider any appeal against a decision under the personnel procedures adopted by the Governing Body. (eg disciplinary, pay review etc.)
To consider any appeal against selection for redundancy.

Meetings: as and when required. Must have no fewer members than the Hearing.
Disqualifications: Headteacher. Any Governor who was involved in the hearing. Spouse/partner. Staff members cannot take part in any salary decisions.

Curriculum Committee

CHAIR: Mrs AM Green
MEMBERS: All other governors

Terms of Reference:

Monitoring nutritional standards within the school to include school meals, snack provision and food available during wrap-around provision.
Ensure that the school’s policy on SEN is consistent with the code of practice and Equalities Act and that arrangements are made to ensure the policy is monitored and reviewed regularly. The policy is known to parents and carers.
Consider developing a whole school drugs policy.
Decide whether or not to provide sex and relationships education and consult parents. Agree the content and organisation of the school’s programme of sex and relationship education and notify parents of their right to withdraw their child.
Monitor pupils’ attitudes, values and how other personal qualities are developed within the school through the provision of RE and PHSCE and that parents are told of their right to withdraw their child.
Ensure the effective integration of children with SEN.
Ensure the school is fulfilling its responsibilities regarding child protection and the requirements of “Working Together to Safeguard Children”.
Ensure the school has an effective behaviour and anti-bullying policy.
Monitor the implementation of this policy and its impact.
To make recommendations to the Governing Body and review the school’s curriculum statement and policies as required in the light of the LA curriculum statement and statutory obligations regarding the National Curriculum.
In collaboration with the staff to provide information about how the curriculum is taught, evaluated and resourced.
Conduct the school with a view to promoting high standards of education achievement and routinely monitor progress.
Monitor the achievement of disadvantaged groups and the impact of policies on race, SEN, EYPP, Looked After Children and Disability on pupils, parents and communities.
To monitor and review information about school performance through the development and monitoring of the School Improvement Plan and the SEF.
Ensure that every child receives the full statutory curriculum that the school must provide.
Ensure that a report on each pupil’s educational achievements is forwarded to their parents/ guardians annually.
Set attendance targets and monitor the school’s performance against these targets.
In general terms, monitor teaching and learning and the progress of pupils.
Monitor the provision of extra-curricular activities including overnight stays provided to encourage recreation and social development.
Ensure the quality of education, teaching and learning.
Consider the provision of extended services.
Promote and encourage aspirations.
Ensure the school works well with its community, parents and other schools.
Ensure the school works effectively with other agencies to support vulnerable children and their families.
Aims and values for the school are agreed and positive ethos for the school is promoted. Policy decisions are consistent with the agreed aims, values and ethos.
The school promotes inclusive policies that allow for the achievement of all pupils.
Ensure that adequate provision is made for transition between primary and secondary education.
Ensure each child is able to reach their potential including the gifted and talented (differentiation).
Act as Pupil Discipline Committee for Permanent/Fixed Term exclusions.
Complaints

Meetings: Termly or when required.
Disqualifications: Prior knowledge in cases of pupil discipline or complaints.

Performance Management Committee

CHAIR: Mr R Williams
MEMBERS: Mr D Gibson, Mrs R Mastrangelo, Mrs J Richardson, Mrs AM Green

Terms of Reference:

To arrange to meet with the External Adviser (EA) or Education Development Partner (EDP) to discuss the Headteacher’s performance targets.
To decide with support from the EA or EDP whether the targets have been met and to set new targets annually.
To monitor throughout the year the performance of the Headteacher against the targets.
To make recommendations to the appropriate committee in respect of awards for the successful meeting of set targets.
To monitor Teachers performance against targets set in regular supervisions, via lesson observations, double checking work and checking reports.

Meetings: Autumn term, plus monitoring meetings.
Disqualifications: the Headteacher and staff.

Virement Limits		Expenditure Limits
Limit set for Headteacher without prior written approval of Chair or Governing Body	£3,000	Any items of expenditure up to	£5,000
Limit set for Headteacher with approval from Chair of Governors	£5,000	Above this limit if item was previously notified to the Governing Body. Prior Finance Committee or Chair of Governors approval (whichever is the soonest) to be sought outside of this limit and reported at the earliest opportunity.
Prior Finance Committee or Chair of Governors approval (whichever is the soonest) to be sought outside of this limit and reported at the earliest opportunity

NB Any goods/services purchased and works to be carried out are subject to Durham County Council Contract Procedure Rules (January 2014) for quotations.

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