Local Governance Committee (LGC)

Governors are an important part of the strategic leadership of Mary Elton school. We work together and in partnership with the school staff, the wider school community and colleagues in the Futura Learning Partnership to secure the best possible outcomes for the children in our charge.

Within the framework of governance of the Futura Learning Partnership each member school has a LGC with important responsibilities.

Setting the vision, values and strategic direction of the school in consultation with the Head teacher and senior leadership team
Establishing a culture of dialogue with pupils, their families, staff and the wider community
Within an agreed set of priorities, supporting and challenging the school’s leadership and holding them to account for performance
Overseeing spending on agreed budgets and securing value for money
Approving policies that are specific to the school
Setting targets and monitoring the school’s levels of attainment, taking account of interventions to support particular needs and vulnerable learners
Overseeing the effective implementation of safeguarding policies and procedures in all aspects of school life.

The LGC currently has nine members. There are two parents Governors, elected by parents, one staff Governor, the Headteacher, and six community Governors appointed for their skills and experience.

The LGC meets at least six times a year and also convenes smaller groups to consider specific issues or priorities. The LGC's work is supported by a Clerk for administration and advice on policies, procedures and responsibilities of governance.

Chair of Governors contact: chair@maryeltonschool.org.uk

Our Governors

Chair of Governors: Caroline Moss
Vice Chair of Governors: Hadley Rides
Headteacher: Tom Newell
Chief Executive of Futura Learning Partnership: Andrea Arlidge

Clerk to Governors: Jane Dennes

Safeguarding link Governor: Hadley Rides
Special Educational Needs and Disabilities link Governor: Karina Eccles
Looked After Children link Governor: Karina Eccles
Pupil Premium link Governor: Claire Blackford

Community Governors

Name	John Reeve
Category	Appointed
Appointed by	Trust Board
Term of Office	22.06.16 – 21.6.20 22.06.20 - 21.06.24
Committee and Positions of Responsibility	School development plan Data analysis and interpretation Risk Senior leadership connections
Biography	I am an ex-Pensions Actuary who has worked for a number of large consultancies helping companies set up and manage their workplace pension schemes. Now happily retired from actuarial work, I do a small amount of work Chairing a Pension Scheme and voluntary work for Citizens Advice North Somerset and for some other local groups. I am a former Trustee of the Curzon Cinema in Clevedon. Apart from this I have interests in Archaeology and Roma history, I play chess and Bowls at Clevedon clubs and enjoy spending my retirement on a range of activities. I joined the LGC in 2016 to help navigate the process of joining the Clevedon Learning Trust and to use my analytical skills to support the school. My wife, Kim, and I moved to Clevedon in 1993 and we have three adult children all of who have successfully negotiated further education and are now working and finding their way in the world.

Name	Caroline Moss
Category	Appointed
Appointed by	Trust Board
Term of Office	20.04.23 - 19.04.27
Committee and Positions of Responsibility	Chair of LGC School development plan Data analysis and interpretation Risk Senior leadership connections
Biography	I joined the Mary Elton LGC as I wanted to get involved in community voluntary work and thought this would be a good use of my skill set. Both of my children used to attend Mary Elton and it brings back lovely memories to be back in the MEPS environment. My day job is Head of Business Services and Company Secretary, and I am able to bring a lot of that skill set to the school governor role and as Chair of the LGC. My ambition is that I help steer an effective LGC that is challenging in scrutinising the performance of the school but is ultimately supportive of the Headteacher and staff in order that they may deliver the best possible education and outcomes for the children. There has always been something special about Mary Elton and I am delighted to be able to work alongside the group of amazing volunteers and teaching staff who collectively make up the Mary Elton LGC.

Name	Hadley Rides
Category	Appointed
Appointed by	Parents
Term of Office	18/5/18- 2/2/22 Parent Governor 3/2/22- 2/2/26 Appointed
Committee and Positions of Responsibility	Vice chair of LGC Safeguarding Link Governor
Biography	Due to originally having two children within MEPS, I joined the LGC in 2018 as a parent governor where I subsequently became the SEN link governor. I wanted to take an active part in ensuring the school continued to provide the best education, both academically and socially, that it has historically been renowned for. At the end of my term as parent governor, I was appointed to remain as governor by the LGC and became both the Safeguarding Link and vice chair in 2023. I am a Detective Inspector within Avon and Somerset and have a specialist background in both Child Protection and Safeguarding, so I felt that my skills would be of use to support both the school and, more importantly, ensure that the children within our school were safe and happy. I am really pleased in being able to work alongside the rest of the LGC and have the opportunity to work closely with the teaching staff within MEPS, who all work tirelessly to provide the best possible education for all the children.

Name	Claire Blackford
Category	Appointed
Appointed by	Trust Board
Term of Office	29/1/24 to 28/1/28
Committee and Positions of Responsibility	Pupil Premium Link Governor
Biography	I live in Clevedon and work as a Year 2 teacher at a school in Portishead. I'm a mum of a very sweet (and lively) little boy who will be a pupil at Mary Elton in a few years. As the parent of a future Mary Elton pupil, I am highly invested in supporting the school to achieve its potential. My role within the governing body is to work alongside school staff to monitor the use of Pupil Premium funding. We work together to ensure the funding to support disadvantaged pupils is used effectively to have maximum impact on the children's progress. I feel passionately about working collaboratively within the school community to ensure all children experience a high quality and enjoyable education at Mary Elton.

Parent Governors

Name	Clare Greenway
Category	Parent Governor
Appointed by	Parents
Term of Office	15.07.21 - 14.07.25
Committee and Positions of Responsibility	School Community Lead Links with parents/carers Pupil voice Wellbeing
Biography	Mary Elton Primary School has been a part of my life for many years; first as a pupil and now as a parent and a governor. I have 3 children, two of whom currently attend Mary Elton, one in Year One and one in Year Six and I have a toddler who will attend Mary Elton in the future. I am a veterinary surgeon and have played an active role in the school HSA over the past 7 years. On behalf of the HSA I organise the Christmas card design scheme, the cake sales and the second hand uniform sales, as well as making up uniforms free of charge for school families in need. I am passionate about creating a strong link between the school and its wider community of pupils, parents and carers, hence my position as school community leader. I became a governor as I want to ensure every pupil has the best experience and the opportunity to reach their full potential at Mary Elton Primary School.

Name	Karina Eccles
Category	Parent Governor
Appointed by	Parents
Term of Office	11.07.22 - 10.07.26
Committee and Positions of Responsibility	Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Link Governor Looked After Children Link Governor
Biography	With 4 children who have attended Mary Elton (and 3 still in the school), I became a governor because I wanted to support those who are educating my children and also be more involved in, and supportive of, my local community. I care passionately about enabling all children to have access to an education that will inspire and empower them to reach their potential. I have worked with children in many guises throughout my working life, and I currently manage a charity that supports the education and development of young carers. I have also personally mentored long-term three (teenage!) young carers. I don’t have much time for relaxation, but I’ve recently taken up ice skating and with the kids I love to go on challenging walks and play board games.

Staff Governors

Name	Tom Newell
Category	Staff/Headteacher (Interim)
Appointed by	Headteacher
Term of Office	30.11.2023 - ex officio
Committee and Positions of Responsibility
Biography

Name	Charley Clarke
Category	Staff Governor
Appointed by	Staff
Term of Office	30.11.23 - 30.11.27
Committee and Positions of Responsibility
Biography	I joined the Mary Elton LGC as I wanted to learn more about what goes on behind the scenes of a primary school to help me understand the bigger picture that makes up Mary Elton. Since joining the school last year, I have felt really welcome and wanted to do something that gives back to such a brilliant and determined community by providing a voice, both to and from the staff. I love travelling, reading and baking – so please feel free to send any home baked goods my way!

Statutory information

Leavers - with our sincere thanks for their service

Name	Ross McKechan
Term of Office	24.03.21-28.09.23

Name	John Purcell
Term of Office	20.10.22 - 31.7.23

Name	Dean Hudd
Category	Staff/Headteacher
Appointed by	Headteacher
Term of Office	01.09.2016 - 30.11.2023

Name	Clare Pole
Term of Office	31.10.20 - 15.09.23

Name	Zoe Taylor
Term of Office	28.02.23 - 08.01.24