Local Governance Committee (LGC)

Mary Elton’s 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 9 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 6 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

The following is a list of Governors together with their areas of responsibility/interest:

Chair of Governors: Caroline Moss
Vice Chair of Governors: Hadley Rides
Headteacher: Tom Newell (Interim)
Futura CEO: 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: Caroline Moss

Governors' Responsibilities

Declaration of personal/business interest register 2023-2024

Governor Annual Statement 2022-2023

Governor Attendance Overview 2022-2023

Please click below to see more:

Community Governors

Name	Zoe Taylor
Category	Appointed
Appointed by	Trust Board
Term of Office	28.02.23 - 27.02.27
Committee and Positions of Responsibility
Business Interests/ Education Governance Roles
Other Material Interests
Biography

Name	John Reeve
Category	Appointed
Appointed by	Trust Board
Term of Office	22.06.20 - 21.06.24
Committee and Positions of Responsibility	School development plan Data analysis and interpretation Risk Senior leadership connections
Business Interests/ Education Governance Roles	Director of Citizens Advice North Somerset
Other Material Interests	Fellow of Institute & Faculty of Actuaries and Member of the Pensions Management Institute - No control or management
Biography	John is a Pensions Actuary who has worked for a number of large consultancies helping companies set up and manage their workplace pension schemes. He now works for his own business doing the same work. He is a former Trustee of the Curzon Cinema in Clevedon and also sits on a number of voluntary boards within the Pensions Industry and Actuarial profession. John and his wife, Kim, moved to Clevedon in 1993 and they have three adult children the youngest of which starts University in 2018.

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 Pupil Premium Link Governor School development plan Data analysis and interpretation Risk Senior leadership connections
Business Interests/ Education Governance Roles	Head of Business Services & Company secretary, Bluelight Commercial Ltd
Other Material Interests	Chartered Governance Institute
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 & 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	Ross McKechan
Category	Appointed
Appointed by	Trust Board
Term of Office	24.03.21-28.09.23
Committee and Positions of Responsibility	Sports Premium
Business Interests/ Education Governance Roles	KS3 Teacher Hugh Sexey Middle School
Other Material Interests
Biography

Name	Hadley Rides
Category	Appointed
Appointed by	Parents
Term of Office	03.02.22 - 02.02.26
Committee and Positions of Responsibility	Vice chair of LGC Safeguarding Link Governor
Business Interests/ Education Governance Roles	DS with Avon and Somerset Constabulary
Other Material Interests	Child attends Mary Elton School
Biography	I joined the ME Board of Governors because I have two children at the school, and a niece joining next school year. I wanted to take an active part in ensuring that ME continued to provide the best education, both academically and socially, that it has historically been renowned for. I am a detective with Avon and Somerset, specialising in child protection, and I felt that I had skills that would be of use to the school and board. My wife Beth has a career involving the care of children with special needs, so it was quite natural when I was asked to become the SEN governor, and I hope that I can have a more active role with Mr Hartshorn and his team over the next academic year. My job, two children, and three dogs keep me very busy, but when I do get some down time, I enjoy swimming (although not in the Marine Lake; I'll leave that to others braver than me!), the very occasional round of golf, and a nice rioja!

Name	John Purcell
Category	Appointed
Appointed by	Trust Board
Term of Office	20.10.22 - 31.7.23
Committee and Positions of Responsibility
Business Interests/ Education Governance Roles
Other Material Interests
Biography

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
Business Interests/ Education Governance Roles
Other Material Interests	Children attend Mary Elton School
Biography

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
Business Interests/ Education Governance Roles	Charity Manager
Other Material Interests	Musicians Union, Chartered Institute of Fundraising, Chartered Institute of Marketing Children attend Mary Elton School
Biography

Staff Governors

Name	Dean Hudd
Category	Staff/Headteacher
Appointed by	Headteacher
Term of Office	01.09.2016 - 30.11.2023
Committee and Positions of Responsibility	Clevedon Heads
Business Interests/ Education Governance Roles	Member of the National Association of Headteachers
Other Material Interests	Spouse is a headteacher at a school in Weston Super Mare

Name	Tom Newell
Category	Staff/Headteacher (Interim)
Appointed by	Headteacher
Term of Office	30.11.2023
Committee and Positions of Responsibility
Business Interests/ Education Governance Roles	Member of the National Association of Headteachers
Other Material Interests

Name	Clare Pole
Category	Staff Governor
Appointed by	Staff
Term of Office	31.10.20 - 15.09.23
Committee and Positions of Responsibility	Clevedon Cluster Staff wellbeing - internal only
Business Interests/ Education Governance Roles	Teacher at the school
Other Material Interests

Name	Charley Clarke
Category	Staff Governor
Appointed by	Staff
Term of Office	30.11.23 - 30.11.27
Committee and Positions of Responsibility
Business Interests/ Education Governance Roles	Teacher at the school
Other Material Interests	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!

Mary Elton Primary School