Welcome to the Governors Page
The Governing Body of Scholes Village Primary School is a group of parents, staff and members of the local community who oversee the running of your school. Each is passionate about the school and volunteer their time, away from their busy schedules, to act as a ‘critical friend’ to the school.
"Governors are well informed about the school's work, and understand how well it is doing. The training that they have undertaken recently has equipped them well to hold school leaders to account." OFSTED 2015
In addition to the full governing body which meets twice each term, there are two smaller ‘sub-committees’ to deal with different aspects of school management in more detail:
- The Standards and Effectiveness Committee, which focuses on the academic performance of the school, curriculum and child welfare matters; and
- The Resources Committee, which focuses on the school finances, the upkeep of the premises and staffing issues.
The governors also make regular visits to the school. In this way they get to know the staff, children and parents and are, therefore, better informed about the school they are responsible for overseeing.
The following people have been elected or appointed to represent you on the governing body:
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Tasnim Ali, Chair of Governors, Co-opted Governor I have lived in Scholes for over 20 years and have had a number of my children attend Scholes Village school. I feel very privileged to be working with the team of Governors on issues that impact on the children and supporting the staff to help them do their jobs. I have worked in the NHS for over 25 years as a nurse and manager and have a wealth of experience in managing clinical and managerial elements of delivering services to patients. I have also worked on management committees of voluntary sector organisations in the Leeds area. I currently work for Yorkshire Ambulance Service. I bring a lot of experience on how systems and processes can be set up, reviewed and used for demonstrating a quality service. I am passionate about developing and helping people. |
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Helen Berry, Parent Governor I have lived in Scholes for several years having moved here from Queensbury, but before that I moved around the country a fair bit. Both my girls attend Scholes Village Primary School and are both thriving and very happy here. I wanted to become a governor at Scholes as I believe that there is no such thing as a silly question and am not afraid to ask. In my “other” life I am a scientist and passionate about it being something that anyone can try. I enjoy reading and love trying new books that I would usually pick up and then think no….never judge a book by its cover! |
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Mark Buckingham, Parent Governor I have lived in Scholes since 2013 and have lived in different parts of West Yorkshire since graduating from university more than half a lifetime ago! I have worked as a sports journalist throughout my working career and I am currently an editor for a football website. I have one son who attends Scholes Village Primary School and another son who recently left to go to high school. Outside of work, I coach my youngest son's junior football team, I'm a member of Northowram Pumas running club and also play tennis regularly. I also enjoy reading and cooking (especially eating what has been cooked!). |
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Hannah Burke, Co-opted Governor I have lived in Scholes since 2013. Both my boys attend the school and have thrived under the care of the staff. I have worked within educational settings for the last 18 years, in the first part of my career as a secondary science teacher and for the last 5 years as a teacher within a school for pupils with profound and multiple learning difficulties. My experiences within school allow me to have relevant, up to date training on changes within education, safeguarding and strategies for SEND pupils and has developed my passion for supporting inclusion and diversity within school communities. I am delighted to be working within the governing body to promote the school's vision of ensuring all pupils reach their potential, in a safe and nurturing environment and become confident, tolerant members of the wider community. |
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Helen Cassidy, Co-opted Governor I am a retired Nurse/Midwife. I worked in the NHS for over 30 years and gained a vast amount of experience in safeguarding children and clinical governance. I have lots of management experience involving developing policies and procedures and change management. I have two children at Scholes Village primary, who are very happy and feel safe and secure in their learning environment. I have a special interest in the process of ensuring looked after children, and children with additional needs, are given the opportunity and support to reach their full potential, within a safe, happy and encouraging environment. I have been so delighted with the ethos and vision of Scholes Village Primary and am keen to offer my support, and professional and life experience, to help Scholes to continue offering the best possible education to the children of our community. |
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Eric Fairchild, Co-opted Governor I have lived in Scholes since moving from Bradford in 1992. Before my retirement, I was professionally involved with schools for many years through my employment with Bradford Council's Human Resources department. In this role I provided HR support directly to Headteachers and governing bodies across a wide range of HR issues. I have also been a school governor continuously since 1987 and I am a Local Leader of Governance in Bradford which gives me the opportunity to help other governing bodies achieve their aims. I have greatly benefited from my own education and I know that it enriches lives and prosperity and contributes to a healthy society. I have a strong commitment to ensuring that our children get a good standard of education so that they can lead successful and fulfilling lives. I hope to make a useful contribution as a governor at Scholes Village Primary School |
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Rosemary Hartley, LA Governor My son attended the school. I have two granddaughters. My working life has been in Banking. I have served as a Governor since 2015 and supported on our most recent Ofsted visit. I have been on Governor training courses to further my knowledge. I am very passionate about children's education, and their safety. My hobby is gardening, which has helped recently supporting school re-invent their raised growing beds. I offer to the school not only my time but enthusiasm to support the pupils and staff to succeed in their endeavours. I am willing to take on board tasks which will ensure the school continues to improve and become more successful. |
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Chris Webster, Co-opted Governor Having grown up in Cleckheaton and continuing to live locally, I know the area very well. I have a daughter at Scholes and a younger son at Whitechapel Primary. I am delighted to be able to support the school as a governor. As a Business Consultant, I work with many schools nationally to support them with their catering and cleaning provisions. This allows me to bring a wealth of experience in health and safety, food safety regulation and finance with a key part of my role as a Consultant being financial evaluation when undertaking catering and cleaning procurement. |
The following members of the teaching staff also represent you on the Governing Body:
Karen Burman, Headteacher |
Alex Meakin Assistant Head teacher, Staff Governor |
Sarah Dearlove Assistant Head teacher, SEND Governor Staff Governor |
Caroline Holt, Co-opted Staff Governor |
We are always keen to hear from parents or other members of the community who feel that they could contribute to the work of the Governors. Please contact the School Office or speak to one of the Governors in the school playground.
The Governing Body Action Plan
Each year, usually in the summer term, the Governors meet to appraise the performance of the School and the Governing Body, and set a plan and objectives for the year ahead. Please find below links to the following:
- The Governing Body Action Plan for the current year, which sets out what we are aiming to achieve this year; and
- The Governors Year Plan, which sets out the schedule of activities for the Full Governing Body, the sub-committees and those Governors with specific responsibilities.
Governing Body Action Plan 2021-22
Governing Body Action Plan 2019-20
Governing Body Action Plan 2018-19
Governing Body Action Plan 2017-18
Governing Body meetings
The full minutes for meetings of the Governing Body are available to be read at the School Office. Please ask if you'd like a copy of them.
All governors attend the combined Standards & Effectiveness and Resources committee.