Our Governing Body
What does a school governor do ?
Governors are responsible for overseeing the management side of a school: strategy, policy, budgeting and staffing. They enable their school to run as effectively as possible, working alongside senior leaders and supporting teachers to provide excellent education to children.
Being a school governor is a commitment to attending governing body meetings which consider issues such as setting the school vision, mitigating financial risk and scrutinising educational outcomes. They are also involved in the school community, acting as critical friends to the headteacher and senior leaders.
Governors bring a wide range of skills and expertise from their professional lives to the governing board and schools benefit greatly from working with skilled volunteers, for example anyone with experience of finance, law, premises management or human resources. A governor with business know-how can transform the running of a school.
Core governor responsibilties
Setting the strategic direction
Governing bodies are the key strategic decision makers in every school. Along with the Head Teacher, it is the job of a governing body to set the school’s aims and objectives around how the school will develop and improve. They set policies, formulate plans and agree targets to help the school achieve these objectives, as well as regularly reviewing their strategic framework in light of that progress.
Creating robust accountability
The governing body is there to support and challenge the school’s senior leadership team. They play a crucial role in holding the Head Teacher to account for securing the best possible outcomes for pupils. Governor accountability includes challenging key decisions and asking pertinent questions about the school’s performance data including policies. Governors delegate operational management of the school and daily processes to the Headteacher. Governors aim to support and develop high standards in education.
Ensuring financial probity
Governing bodies have a strategic role in the financial management of schools. Their key responsibilities include, setting financial priorities through the school development plan, 3 year financial plan and the annual budget. They also decide on how the school’s delegated budget should be spent in accordance with the school improvement plan and statutory curriculum requirement.
Commitment involved
Term of Office - most governor appointments are for a term of four years.
Liability - governors are not individually liable. Liability is collective and held by the governing body as a whole.
Time - governors are expected to attend 6 full governing body meetings during the school year. Some preparation is required for these meetings and these meetings are held during the school day. Other involvement such as ad hoc panels and learning walks are not complusory to attend, but we would strongly recommend you attend as many as possible to maximise your impact as a school governor.
Governor vacancies
We currently do have Governor vacancies at St Michael's Church School and recruitment will commence after Academisation.
To contact the Clerk to Governors please email clerk@stm.act-academytrust.org
Our Governing Body
Getting to know
Becky Smith
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Becky Smith
Headteacher Governor
Term of Office: 05.09.18 to Present
Getting to know
Mikala Dainter
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Mikala Dainter
Chair
Term of Office: 12.03.2020 to 11.3.2024
Getting to know
Rev Andrew Avery
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Rev Andrew Avery
Vice Chair ( Foundation )
Term of Office: 30.01.2020 to 30.01.2024
Getting to know
Simon Owen
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Simon Owen
Staff Governor
Term of Office:01.01.24 to 01.01.28
Getting to know
Becca Moore
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Becca Moore
Staff Governor
Term of Office:01.1.2024 to 01.01.2028
Getting to know
Jonathan Wood
My name is Jonathan Wood. I started my professional life as a schoolteacher in 1980, eventually becoming the head of P.E.at a school in Leyton, East London. I changed careers fairly dramatically by entering the Christian ministry, working at churches in different parts of the country. I headed up a group of us who started Cardea Community Church in 2014, reentering my first profession as a supply teacher. The church, which started meeting each Sunday in St Michael's school in November last year, began in a room in Morrison's and then in the Cardea Sports Pavilion. I have taught regularly over recent years to all ages in St Michael's School.
Jonathan Wood
Co-opted Governor
Term of Office:16.03.23 to 16.03.27