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

Further information can be found: A.C.T MAT - Governance Team

Our Governing Body

Getting to know

Becky Smith

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Becky Smith

Headteacher Governor

Term of Office: 05.09.2018 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

Alison Anderson

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Alison Anderson

Observor

Term of Office: 01.09.2024 to Present

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:01.09.24 to 01.09.28

Getting to know

Becca Moore

I joined St Michaels team in January 2021 as an SEN TA. I have worked across both KS1 and KS2 and I am currently based in year 2 Badgers and year 4 Swallows. You can also find me in the Beehive at breakfast time! Before joining St Michaels I worked within social care while I studied a foundation degree in health and social care and then branching out into my interests of Autism, Cerebral Palsy, and Safeguarding. In my spare time I like to support charities close to my heart due to my own health condition including kidney care and Peterborough charity kidney research. So here's some quick fun facts about me, I have 3 sausage dogs Bernard, Lady and their pup Ruby (these are my fur babies!) I love a roast dinner with all the trimmings especially the Yorkshire puddings ! My favourite subject at school was maths ! Also my favourite book of all time is Matilda by Roald Dahl, and Shrek is one of my favourite films.

Becca Moore

Staff Governor

Term of Office: 01.09.2024 to 01.09.2028

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

Getting to know

Anthea Kenna

Following a career in Church School Headship spanning 25 years I wished to continue supporting schools. I worked in Cambridgeshire and Essex as Headteacher, Associate Adviser and School Improvement Partner and am currently a Cambridgeshire Leader of Governance supporting a number of schools. I am a keen musician and enjoy working with young people, providing quality musical experiences. Performing with many amateur musical groups, either as an instrumentalist or a singer, gives me great pleasure. Although I don’t participate as much now as I would wish to, I have always enjoyed sport and, in my younger days, competed at regional level. In general, I enjoy challenges and am blessed with a great deal of energy. My expertise covers all aspects of school leadership and management and, in particular, those relating to Church Schools. I am committed to giving our young people the very best start in their educational journey.