Our Governing Body
All maintained schools in England have a Governing Body which is responsible for overseeing many of the strategic decisions of the school. A key role is to act as a ‘critical friend’: to support, to challenge, and to ask questions.
The Governing Body at Coppice Primary School and Nursery is rightly proud of the achievements of the school. However, it’s drive is clear: for the school to become increasingly outstanding in more and more areas of its work, giving local children the best possible start in life.
The Governing Body works in close partnership with the Head teacher, staff and the Local Authority. Whilst the Head teacher is, of course, responsible for the day to day running of the school, the governors are involved with such things as staffing, curriculum, school buildings and finance. It ensures the school functions well and maintains the proper range of academic and social objectives.
Membership of the Governing Body includes parents, school staff, representatives from the local community and the Local Authority.
The Governing Body has a range of powers and duties laid down by various Education Acts. In the main, these responsibilities relate to:
- Setting targets and promoting high standards of educational achievement
- Setting the strategic framework within which the school operates
- Management of the school’s budget
- Ensuring that the curriculum for the school is broad and balanced
Governors adopt, review and monitor a range of policies that govern the operation of the school including Health and Safety, Behaviour, Curriculum and Performance Management.
Governors discharge the above responsibilities, together with many others, through a Governing Body meeting each term. These formal meetings are supplemented by a series of committee-meetings dealing with more specific issues. We have two sub-committees of Governors:
- Teaching and Learning Committee
- Finance and Resources Committee (focusing on staffing, premises and budgets).
Meet our Governors!
Mrs Alison Seaton Headteacher |
Hello, my name is Alison Seaton and I have been Headteacher at the school since September 2012. Being a Headteacher automatically means I sit on the Board of Governors and make decisions along with a range of other professionals and parents in regards to your child’s education.
I can honestly say that being a Headteacher is not just a job for me - it’s a passion and quickly became all consuming. The role of Headteacher has offered me the opportunity to make a difference on a scale unlike any I have ever known. I am privileged to have had the chance to help the school develop further. There are many aspects of my job I enjoy and find rewarding – the most important is maintaining contact in the classroom with the children, talking with them, listening to them and meeting not just their academic needs but there social and emotional needs too.
My vision and values are simple – the best possible education for all of the children in our care – this empowers the children to want to learn; enhances their own life chances and builds resilience over time. |
Mrs Joanne Austin Chair of Governors and Local Authority Governor |
Hello, I’m Joanne Austin, I am a Local Authority Governor. I have two children, one that has just left Coppice and has thoroughly enjoyed her time at Coppice and all the opportunities that have been created for her. I am also chair of governors which is a role I am quite proud of in the school, I am committed to supporting the school and its leaders as I feel that it will improve the standards of the school and community. I really enjoy meeting all the children and working with them and the staff to improve the school and create better outcomes for all children that attend Coppice Primary and Nursery school. I am really passionate about being a governor and try to involve myself with the school and all aspects of it as much as possible, I attend meetings and governor visits and feedback to the governors the impact of ours and the school’s decisions. I am EYFS governor which is a role I am really enjoying, to see the children come in at a young age and flourish throughout their time at Coppice is really rewarding for all! |
Mr Steve Rogers Co-opted Governor |
I am now retired after spending over 30 years working in the IT industry, initially as a Systems/Business analyst and latterly as a Client Delivery Manager. So you would think that I now had loads of time to spare? Wrong! As my father said soon after his retirement: “I don’t know how I ever found the time to work”. I am now chair of trustees of a performing arts charity working with people with learning difficulties. I am also what is called a ‘Reader’ in the Church of England. Basically this means that I’m authorised to perform many but not all of the roles that a vicar does. Why become a school Governor? I believe that it is important that Governing bodies have access to as wide a skill and experience base as possible. As a co-opted governor, I believe that the experience that I have in the commercial environment nicely augments those of the staff, parent and other co-opted Governors. |
Miss Kirsty Harrison Staff Governor |
My name is Kirsty Harrison and I have been the staff Governor at Coppice Primary School and Nursery for the past five years. I am passionate about ensuring our children get the best education they can! I am proud to share with the Governing Body the marvellous work our dedicated and caring staff do with all of our children on a daily basis. Children get one chance and we need to make sure every day counts!
In school I am the EYFS co-ordinator and I am the Nurssery teacher in the mornings. I have qualified as a Forest School leader as I believe the children learn best in the outside environment and I love being able to work with children in all year groups in the forest! |
Mrs Vicki Sidaway Associate Governor |
Hi my name is Vicki Sidaway and I am Assistant Headteacher at Coppice Primary School.
I enjoy my role as it gives me the opportunity to support both the learning and pastoral needs of the children at school right from the beginning of their education in the Nursery setting.
Within in my school role I focus on the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities provision alongside the review of Pupil Premium spending in school – a role which I work closely with Mr Steve Rogers.
My position as an associate governor means that I am able to attend Governor's meetings and keep fully abreast of all aspects of the school’s development.
Having been a teacher for nearly 27years, the exciting learning and pupil welfare (with a particular interest in children’s mental health and wellbeing) continues to be a passion of mine. |
Mrs Miranda Shanley Clerk to Governors |
My name is Miranda Shanley and I am the Clerk to Governors for Coppice Primary School and Nursery. I have held this post for nearly four years. In addition to undertaking this role I am also a Teaching Assistant at the School.
My role entails preparation of documents for Governor meetings, recording and distribution of minutes and advising the Governing Body on procedures and policies.
Working in this capacity for the school and Governing Body is very rewarding and I thoroughly enjoy my role! |
A number of Governors also have responsibilities for specific areas within the school. Below you can see who our governors are and what their role is within the Governing Body at Coppice Primary School and Nursery.
Governors Name |
Governor Category |
Nominating Group |
Start date of Office |
End date of Office |
Responsibilities |
Pecuniary and/ or personal interest (s) |
Related to a member of school staff or governing body |
Interests at another school |
Attendance to current year’s meetings
|
Jo Austin |
LA |
|
July 2019 |
July 2023 |
Chair, All committees
|
NONE |
No |
NONE |
4 out of 4 |
Steve Rogers |
Co-Opted |
|
November 2019 |
November 2023 |
Vice Chair, All committees |
NONE |
No |
NONE |
4 out of 4 |
Sharon Allsop |
Co-Opted |
|
April 2022 |
April 2026 |
All committees |
NONE |
No |
NONE |
2 out of 4 |
Steph Martin |
Parent |
Parents |
September 2021 |
September 2025 |
All committees |
NONE |
No |
NONE |
3 out of 4 |
Alison Seaton |
Headteacher |
|
Ex Officio |
All committees |
NONE |
No |
NONE |
4 out of 4 |
|
Kirsty Harrison |
Staff |
Staff |
February 2019 |
February 2023 |
All committees |
NONE
|
No |
NONE |
4 out of 4 |
Donna Baumforth |
Associate |
|
01.09.22 |
31.08.23 |
Finance |
NONE |
No |
NONE |
None |
Vicki Sidaway |
Associate |
|
30.01.21 |
31.01.25 |
All committees |
NONE |
No |
NONE |
4 out of 4 |
Register of Interests
Governors have a legal duty to act in the best interests of their schools. Where there are personal or financial interests, which may conflict with this duty, they must identify, prevent and record the conflict. Generally, governors must not be involved in discussions or vote on matters to which their conflict relates.
At Coppice Primary School and Nursery, governors sign and/or review a register of interests at the start of every meeting. All governors also declare personal or other interests which might be a potential source of conflict at the AGM in September and this is reviewed as needed throughout the year.
Principles of Public Life
Our Governors are guided by the Nolan Principles. Lord Nolan's Seven Principles of Public Life apply to anyone who holds a public office, including those in the education sector.
- Selflessness
Holders of public office should act solely in terms of the public interest. - Integrity
Holders of public office must avoid placing themselves under any obligation to people or organisations that might try inappropriately to influence them in their work. They should not act or take decisions in order to gain financial or other material benefits for themselves, their family, or their friends. They must declare and resolve any interests and relationships. - Objectivity
Holders of public office must act and take decisions impartially, fairly and on merit, using the best evidence and without discrimination or bias. - Accountability
Holders of public office are accountable to the public for their decisions and actions and must submit themselves to the scrutiny necessary to ensure this. - Openness
Holders of public office should act and take decisions in an open and transparent manner. Information should not be withheld from the public unless there are clear and lawful reasons for so doing. - Honesty
Holders of public office should be truthful. - Leadership
Holders of public office should exhibit these principles in their own behaviour. They should actively promote and robustly support the principles and be willing to challenge poor behaviour wherever it occurs.
Click here to see the meeting dates to be held in school throughout the year.
Structure of the Governing Body
Minutes of the Governing Body
Contacting the Governing Body
Do you want to talk to our governors? Drop them an email using M.Shanley@coppice.derbyshire.sch.uk They will respond to your questions and comments. Remember that the Governors are responsible for setting the strategic direction, holding leaders to account for the educational performance of the school, ensuring financial health, probity and value for money. We would also like to hear parent's comments about school.