Governors

Sir Thomas Abney governors are at the heart of how our school runs.

Our job affects the interests of pupils, staff and how the school is seen by parents and the community at large. We therefore support and challenge the school management by looking at data, gathering views, asking questions and deciding what’s best for the pupils.

Our foremost priority lies with the safety, wellbeing and achievement of all pupils at the school. Furthermore we value our staff, parents and carers and the wider community of Sir Thomas Abney Primary School.

Your ideas and opinions are important to us and we are happy to help you in any way we can to support the children at our school. If you would like to talk to any of the governors you are welcome to contact us through: governors@sirthomasabney.hackney.sch.uk

LEONIE ALLISTER - (JOINT CHAIR) LOCAL AUTHORITY

I have been a governor at STA for over 10 years and both my children attended the school before moving on to secondary school in Hackney. I am a local businesswoman (owner of a graphic design company established in 1989) and a qualified teacher (I also currently work at an ‘outstanding’ Tower Hamlets Academy).

I believe that all children deserve the very best start in life to help them become happy, healthy and successful young people who are well equipped to achieve their personal goals and make a positive contribution to their communities and the wider world. As a member of the STA Governing Body, the children at the school are at the heart of everything I do as a governor. I strive to support the school and provide a safe, enjoyable and enriching environment for learning.

LISA NEIDICH (JOINT CHAIR/CHAIR RESOURCES COMMITTEE) CO-OPTED GOVERNOR

I have been a school governor for over 25 years at a number of Hackney schools. I am currently joint Chair of Governors and Chair of the Resources Committee. Outside of STA I am Chair of the Hackney School Governors’ Association, Vice Chair of Schools’ Forum and active in Clapton Commons, a community organisation.

I am an artist and photographer and have worked as a line producer in TV and Films.

DEBJANI MITRA STAFF GOVERNOR (ELECTED)

KATHRYN EDWARDS STAFF GOVERNOR (CO-OPTED)

SAM BETTRIDGE STAFF GOVERNOR (ELECTED)

GERALDINE FITZMAURICE EXECUTIVE HEADTEACHER

LYNN WILLIS HEAD OF SCHOOL

JO MACLEOD CO-OPTED GOVERNOR (CHAIR TEACHING & LEARNING COMMITTEE)

VASSELINA ADAMSKA CO-OPTED GOVERNOR

MAAYAN WINTER - PARENT GOVERNOR (ELECTED)

SUSAN MOYSE CLERK TO THE GOVERNING BODY

To view current membership and declaration of interest: STA Governing Body

The role of the Governing Body

The Governing Body's main role is to provide an excellent standard of education for all pupils.

It is accountable for the quality of education and for the standards of attainment and progress
It helps shape the school's future strategic direction
It monitors and evaluates the performance of the school
It makes decisions about the school's budget and staffing
It makes sure that the school is inclusive and provides for all its pupils, including those with special educational needs
It decides how the school can encourage pupils' personal, spiritual, moral and cultural development

As governors, we do not intervene in the day-to-day management of the school. This is the responsibility of the Executive Headteacher and Head of School. Governors govern rather than manage and are there to provide direction and contribute to the strategic direction of the school.

The full governing body meets once each term. We hold additional committee meetings to consider such things as the school's finances. STA governors love to visit the school to meet with staff and pupils, as well as attending school events. We take part in staff appointment panels and if necessary hold parental complaint panels and disciplinary hearings.

GOVERNORS ARE ALSO REQUIRED TO TAKE ON A ‘LINK’ ROLE. LINK GOVERNORS LIAISE WITH SPECIFIC SUBJECT LEADERS AND VISIT THE SCHOOL TO LEARN MORE ABOUT AND SUPPORT THEIR SUBJECT OR ‘LINK’ AREA.

GOVERNORS DEMONSTRATE THEIR COMMITMENT TO THE SCHOOL BY:

SHOWING AN INTEREST AND PARTICIPATING IN MANY OF THE SCHOOL’S ACTIVITIES
ATTENDING GOVERNORS’ MEETINGS (ANY GOVERNOR CAN BE REMOVED FROM THE GOVERNING BODY IF THEY DO NOT ATTEND FULL GOVERNING BODY MEETINGS FOR 6 MONTHS WITHOUT SENDING AN APOLOGY WITH A REASON THAT THE GOVERNING BODY ACCEPTS)
VISITING DURING THE DAY
GETTING TO KNOW THE STAFF, PUPILS AND THEIR WORK
OFFERING SUPPORT AND EXPERTISE
ATTENDING GOVERNOR TRAINING SESSIONS

The Constitution of the Governing Body

AT STA THERE ARE A TOTAL OF 15 GOVERNORS. THE GOVERNING BODY COMPRISES DIFFERENT TYPES OF GOVERNORS WHO EACH BRING EXPERTISE AND A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE TO THE TEAM:

4 X PARENT GOVERNORS ELECTED BY PARENTS/GUARDIANS OF REGISTERED PUPILS. PARENT GOVERNORS MUST BE PARENTS/GUARDIANS AT THE TIME OF ELECTION. PARENT GOVERNORS DO NOT HAVE TO LEAVE IF THEIR CHILD LEAVES DURING THEIR TERM OF OFFICE, BUT THEY CAN IF THEY WISH TO. IF THERE IS A POTENTIAL VACANCY, NOMINATIONS ARE SOUGHT FROM PARENTS.

IF MORE NOMINATIONS ARE RECEIVED THAN THE VACANCIES AVAILABLE THEN AN ELECTION TAKES PLACE. IF INSUFFICIENT PARENTS STAND FOR ELECTION, THE GOVERNING BODY CAN APPROACH A PARENT OF THE SCHOOL TO BECOME A GOVERNOR.

1 X AUTHORITY GOVERNOR NOMINATED BY THE LOCAL EDUCATION AUTHORITY (LEA). APPLICATIONS FOR THIS ROLE ARE SENT TO INTERESTED PARTIES, ONCE RECEIVED THEY ARE FORWARDED TO AN OFFICER PANEL FOR CONSIDERATION. ONCE AGREED, THE APPLICATION IS GIVEN TO THE CABINET TO BE AGREED. LEA APPOINTMENTS CAN ONLY BE REMOVED FROM OFFICE BY THE OFFICER PANEL. IT IS NOT THE DECISION OF THE GOVERNING BODY.

1 X STAFF GOVERNOR STAFF GOVERNORS ARE APPOINTED BY THE STAFF EMPLOYED TO WORK AT THE SCHOOL OR HAVE A CONTRACT OF EMPLOYMENT WITH THE SCHOOL. IF THEY LEAVE THE SCHOOL, THEY CANNOT REMAIN ON THE GOVERNING BODY.

8 X CO-OPTED GOVERNORS (WHO MUST INCLUDE 1 X PARENT, 2 X MEMBERS OF STAFF – OF WHICH ONE WILL INCLUDE A TEACHER). CO-OPTED GOVERNORS ARE APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNING BODY AND, IN THE OPINION OF THE GOVERNING BODY, HAVE THE SKILLS REQUIRED TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE EFFECTIVE GOVERNANCE AND SUCCESS OF THE SCHOOL. TEACHER GOVERNORS MUST BE PERMANENT MEMBERS OF STAFF. THEY ACT AS A REPRESENTATIVE ROLE. ONCE THEY CEASE TO WORK AT THE SCHOOL THEIR TERM OF OFFICE WILL BE TERMINATED.

ASSOCIATE GOVERNORS ARE INVITED TO THE GOVERNING BODY, USUALLY BECAUSE THEY OFFER PARTICULAR EXPERTISE OR SKILLS.

THE EXECUTIVE HEADTEACHER IS A GOVERNOR BY VIRTUE OF THEIR OFFICE.

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO BECOME A MEMBER OF OUR GOVERNING BODY, LOOK OUT FOR VACANCIES AND INFORMATION ABOUT GOVERNOR ELECTIONS ON THIS PAGE.

Terms of Reference Resources Committee

Terms of Reference Teaching and Learning Committee