Governance

‘God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another.’ 1 Peter 4:10

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What is a Local Governing Board?

A school’s Local Governing Board is a corporate body. This means it has a legal existence separate from that of its individual members. It comprises both appointed and elected members, known as governors, who serve for a term of four years.

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The Local Governing Board works with the leadership team, providing support and appropriate challenge, to ensure that the school operates as effectively as possible.

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Ofsted acknowledges that the most successful schools demonstrate high standards of leadership and management – including that of the governing board.

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The role of the Local Governing Board

The Local Governing Board focuses on school-specific needs and ensures community engagement and accountability.

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It has four key functions:

  • Direction: Ensure there is clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction.
  • Performance: Hold executive leaders to account for the school’s educational performance, pupil outcomes and staff performance management.
  • Expenditure: Have account of key variances to budget and responsibility for holding leaders accountable for pupil premium and sports premium spending.
  • Stakeholders: Ensure the voices of stakeholders are heard.

‍Who can become a governor?

For a school to operate successfully, it requires a governing board with a balance and diversity of knowledge, skills and experience.

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You must be aged 18 and over and do not need to be a parent. There is no requirement for you to have a formal understanding of the education system, just an enquiring mind, the ability to work as part of a team and the time to contribute and attend the half termly meetings.

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Above all else, we are looking for governors who share our values and have a passion for improving the lives of the children and young people we serve.

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As a governor, you will be able to:

  • Draw on your professional and life experiences to inform discussion and decision making.
  • Utilise and develop your skills in a board-level environment.
  • Support and challenge the school to drive improvement for its whole community.

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Interested in becoming a governor?

Click below for further information and to get in touch.

Find out more about the impact you could make by watching this short video from the charity, Governors for Schools.

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‘So it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other.’ Romans 12:5

Current Governors

Kate Heap (Chair) - Parent governor
Term of office: 05 May 2026 - 04 May 2030
Responsibilities: SEND
Contact Address: Kate Heap, Chair of Governors, C/O Abbey Grange C of E Academy, Butcher Hill, Leeds LS16 5EA
Email: info@abbeygrangeacademy.co.uk

Jamie Chapman (Vice Chair) - Parent governor
Term of office: 27 November 2024 - 26 November 2028
Responsibilities: Safeguarding

Rev. Stephen Kaye - Foundation governor (Incumbent)
Term of office: 04 November 2024 - N/A

Elliott Benson - Trust appointed governor
Term of office: 22 May 2024 - 21 May 2028
Responsibilities: Careers education & guidance

Dave Kagai - Trust appointed governor
Term of office: 23 March 2026 - 22 March 2030

Charlotte Robson - Co-opted governor
Term of office: 27 November 2025 - 26 November 2029

Claire Johnson - Staff governor
Term of office: 16 June  2023 - 15 June 2027

Steve Naish - Staff governor
Term of office: 24 May 2024 - 23 May 2028

Paul Cooper - Ex-officio Governor (Executive Principal)
Term of office: 01 November 2025 - N/A

Dawn Morgan - Ex-officio Governor (Principal)
Term of office: 01 June 2026 - N/A
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Stepped down in last 12 months:
Shayne Niemen - Trust appointed governor Term of office: 27 November 2023 - 05 May 2026
Duncan Harrison - Co-opted governor Term of office: 3 April 2025 - 30 April 2026
Antony Windross - Co-opted governor Term of office: 28 November 2024 - 17 March 2026
Hadeil Miller - Trust appointed governor Term of office: 22 May 2024 - 13 October 2025
Simon Prinsep - Ex-officio governor Term of office: 01 September 2021 - 31 October 2025