Our Governing Body - Tudhoe Moor Nursery School

Governors work closely with headteachers, school staff and representatives from the local authority (LA).

“Governing boards are the strategic decision makers and vision setters. They play a vital role in ensuring the best possible education for every child by creating robust accountability for school leaders.” Quote taken from ‘The Governance Handbook’ 2015

The purpose of the Governing Body is to conduct the school with a view to promoting high standards of educational achievement. Its three core strategic functions are:

Ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction;
Holding the Headteacher to account for the educational performance of the school and its pupils, and the performance management of staff; and
Overseeing the financial performance of the school and making sure its money is well spent.

Governing Body Committee Structure

You can find out more about our Governors by clicking the links below:

Name	Representing	Term of Office	Committee	Responsibilities	Register of Interests	Relationship to Staff
Mrs Julia Hymers	Head Teacher	01.09.18 - ongoing	Curriculum, School Performance & Welfare, Finance, Premises & Personnel		Governor at North Park Primary School	None
Miss Lisa Wright	Co-opted Governor	04.03.2024 - 03.03.2028	Finance, Premises & Personnel, First/Pay Review, Headteacher's Performance	Chair of Governors, EYPP, CLA, Website	None	None
Miss Amanda Bond	Staff Governor	09.01.2024 - 08.01.2028	Curriculum, School Performance & Welfare, Finance, Premises & Personnel		None	None
Mr David Watchman	Co-opted Governor	24.02.2021 - 23.02.2025	Finance, Premises & Personnel (Chair), First/Pay Review	Vice Chair of Governors	Finance Manager Durham County Council	None
Mrs Marie Rudd	Parent Governor	22.09.2022 - 21.09.2026	Curriculum, School Performance & Welfare (Chair), Appeals (Chair)	Safeguarding	None	None
Mrs Pauline Urwin	Parent Governor	22.06.2023 - 21.06.2027	Curriculum, School Performance & Welfare, Appeals	SEND	None	None
Dr Bilal Bilal	Parent Governor	11.10.2024- 10.10.2028	Appeals		Governor at North Park Primary School	None

How To Become A School Governor

If you require further information on the roles and responsibilities of School Governors or you are interested in becoming one, visit the Durham County Council website School Governor section.

Statutory Guidance for Governing Bodies

Tudhoe Moor Nursery School adhere to the statutory guidance from the Department of Education. This means that governing bodies must have regard to it when carrying out duties relating to the constitution of governing bodies in maintained schools.

You can find out more by viewing or downloading the documents below:

The Constitution of Governing Bodies of Maintained Schools (2017)

Annual Governance Statement Sept 2024

Code of Conduct for Governors 2024

Governor Attendance

Schools are required to display a record of Governor attendance at meetings for each school academic year.

KEY
✓ – Attended meeting
A/A – Apologies sent and accepted by meeting
N – Did not attend
X – Not a member of the committee

Record of Attendance 2024-25

Name	Curriculum, School Performance & Welfare 06.11.24	Finance, Premises & Personnel 11.10.24	Full Governing Body 16.10.24	First/Pay Review 10.12.24	Head Teacher's Performance 27.11.24	Curriculum, School Performance & Welfare 06.02.25	Finance, Premises & Personnel 11.02.25	Full Governing Body 05.03.25
Mrs Julia Hymers	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓
Mr Kevin McMullan	X	✓	✓	✓	✓	X	✓	No longer a Governor
Miss Lisa Wright	X	✓	✓	✓	✓	X	X	✓
Miss Amanda Bond	A/A	A/A	A/A	X	X	A/A	A/A	A/A
Mr David Watchman	X	✓	✓	X	X	X	✓	✓
Mrs Marie Rudd	✓	X	✓	X	X	✓	X	✓
Mrs Pauline Urwin	✓	X	✓	X	X	✓	X	✓

Archived Records
You can also view previous years attendance on our website.

Terms of Reference

Full Governing Body

CHAIR: Miss L Wright

VICE CHAIR: Mr David Watchman

Strategic Leadership and Accountability:

In collaboration with school leaders determine a clear and explicit vision for the future. Ensure this is communicated to the whole organization.
Set strong and clear values and ensure these are embedded across the organisation and adhered to.
Determine the strategic direction for the school.
Monitor that school leaders are keeping up with their statutory duties in relation to the maintenance of the Single Central Record (SCR).
Monitor and evaluate pupil progress and attainment by receiving reports and information from the Headteacher and other school leaders; compare against national and local benchmarks over time.
Receive reports from committees, working parties or individuals and agree actions.
Approve the SEF and monitor throughout the year.
Approve the School Improvement Plan priorities and monitor throughout the year progress towards agreed actions.
Review and agree the school’s Continuity Plan annually.
Ensure there is a transparent system for performance management of all staff which is clearly linked to the school’s priorities. Have oversight of staff performance throughout the year.
Ensure there are mechanisms in place to listen to and respond to the views of parents/carers, pupils, staff, local communities and employers.
Agree recruitment process to be followed in relation to Senior Leader posts; where delegated ratify appointments.
Final approval of the annual budget plan.
Monitor the school’s budget throughout the year.
Agree virement and expenditure limits for the Headteacher.
Hold at least 3 meetings each academic year. Ensure that committee meetings are held in accordance with the agreed terms of reference.

People and Structures:

Elect and/or remove Chair of Governors and Vice Chair of Governors.
Appoint Committee Chairs or delegate to each committee.
Consider and agree delegation of functions to individuals or committees.
Agree committee terms of reference and membership.
Agree quorums for committee meetings.
Agree voting rights for Associate Members.
Establish and maintain a register of Governors business interests.
Ensure Governors information on the Get Information About Schools (GIAS) register and the school website is up to date and compliant with current requirements.
Confirm the Instrument of Government and subsequent amendments.
Appoint Co-opted, Local Authority and where necessary Parent Governors to the Board.
Review and monitor the Governor Induction Process.
Have regard for Governors professional development.
Where necessary, suspend or remove Governors from the Board.
Appoint/dismiss the Clerk to the Governing Body.

Compliance and Evaluation:

Consider business provided by Local Authority and other sources.
Suspend or end suspension of staff members.
Ensure all statutory policies are in place and there is an effective policy review cycle.
Review and agree the Governor Code of Conduct.
Confirm arrangements for completion of a Governor Skills Audit.
Ensure there is regular self-evaluation and review of individual’s contribution to the Board as well as the Board’s overall operation and effectiveness.
As necessary, consider an external review of the Board’s effectiveness.
Ensure school website is up to date and compliant with current DfE requirements.

Headteacher’s Performance Review Committee

LEAD GOVERNOR: Miss L Wright

Set, with the support of the External Advisor / Local Authority Adviser, the Headteacher’s annual performance objectives.
Monitor throughout the year the performance of the Headteacher against agreed performance objectives and hold interim review meetings.
Review, with the support of the External Advisor / Local Authority Adviser achievement of performance objectives.
Make recommendations to the First/Pay Review Committee in respect of the Headteacher’s performance and annual pay progression (where eligible).

MEETINGS: Autumn Term plus monitoring meetings

DISQUALIFICATIONS: Headteacher and staff

Finance, Premises and Personnel Committee

CHAIR: Mr D Watchman

Elect Chair (if delegated by full Governing Body).

Finance:

In conjunction with the Headteacher to draft and propose the first formal budget plan of the financial year for approval by the full Governing Body.
Establish and maintain an up-to-date three year financial plan, taking into account priorities in the School Improvement Plan, roll projection and signals from central Government and the LA regarding future years’ budget.
Ensure that priorities detailed within the School Improvement Plan are appropriately costed and are reflected in the annual budget.
Monitor the capital and revenue budget position statements to identify and address any anomalies from the anticipated position and report termly to the full Governing Body.
Review and monitor outstanding debts and action taken.
Review and monitor Direct School Meals Provision by income and expenditure statements.
Review the year end outturn report.
Monitor and approve virements and expenditure over the Headteacher’s delegated limit.
Appraise and approve spending decisions where competitive quotations or tenders are required.
Ensure the school operates within the financial regulations of the Local Authority and the requirements of the DfE Schools Financial Value Standard (SFVS).
Approve annually the Schools Financial Value Standard (SFVS) submission prior to the 31 March deadline.
Review Related Party Transaction Register.
Monitor the implementation of any identified actions in the SFVS submission.
Confirm management arrangements for the Private School Fund and nominate an officer to administer the fund (Treasurer).
Appoint an Auditor for the Private School Fund.
Monitor expenditure of all voluntary funds held on behalf of the Governing Body and receive an audited annual statement of income and expenditure.
Annually review the outcomes of the asset register stock check and approve the disposal of obsolete items.
Oversee use and monitor impact of the Early Years Pupil Premium.
Review and monitor all financial policies including lettings, charging and remissions and expenses policies.
Consider and promote income generation.
Annually review income generated from contracts and lettings; oversee the use of premises by outside users.
Where necessary, monitor and review Extended Care provision including review of annual income and expenditure statements where applicable.
Ensure all appropriate insurances are in place.
Annually review and approve the school’s Financial Procedures Manual.
Monitor service level agreements annually and make decisions in respect of service level agreements ensuring value for money.
Make decisions on expenditure following recommendations from other committees for example collaborative working arrangements with other schools and/or bodies to ensure value for money.
Ensure as far as is practical that health and safety issues are appropriately funded in accordance with agreed priorities.
Annually review financial benchmarking data.
Monitor the implementation of actions arising from the Internal Audit report or of a financial nature from other inspection regime reports.
Ensure any instances of fraud or financial irregularity are reported immediately to the Head of Education and Skills and Chief Internal Auditor and Corporate Fraud Manager.

Premises:

Establish, review and monitor the Health and Safety Policy ensuring that the school meets health and safety requirements.
Ensure actions are taken in respect of relevant health and safety legislation.
Ensure that premises and the learning environment are maintained and are fit for purpose.
Provide support and guidance for the Headteacher and Governing Body on all matters relating to the maintenance and development of the premises and grounds, including health and safety.
Ensure that an annual inspection of the premises and grounds is undertaken, and a report received identifying any issues. Inform the Governing Body of the report and set out a proposed order of priorities for maintenance and development for the approval of the Governing Body.
Ensure professional surveys and emergency works are arranged as necessary.
Oversee the use of premises by outside users.
Establish and keep under review an Accessibility Plan and an Asset Management / Building Development Plan.
Monitor data on accidents and incidents.

Personnel

Carry out an annual review of the staffing structure in consultation with the Headteacher and Finance and Premises Committee.
Ensure the school is sufficiently staffed to fulfil the effective operation of the school and the School Improvement Plan (SIP).
Oversee the recruitment and selection procedures for all staff.
Keep under review work/life balance, working conditions and well-being including monitoring attendance management.
Ensure that regular monitoring of the Single Central Record is undertaken and that it is up to date and compliant with current statutory expectations.
Ensure that the school’s policy on safeguarding and child protection is compliant with the most recent KCSIE guidance and LCSB expectations.

MEETINGS: at least annually

QUORUM: 3

DISQUALIFICATIONS: where there may be a conflict of or pecuniary interest; any Governor whose spouse/partner is involved

Curriculum, School Performance and Welfare Committee

CHAIR: Mrs M Rudd

Elect Chair (if delegated by full Governing Body).

Strategic direction and statutory areas

Review, monitor and evaluate the curriculum offer.
Contribute to the development and monitoring of the:

– SEF

– School Improvement Plan (SIP)

– Targets for school improvement including SSG where appropriate

Develop and review policies identified within the school’s policy review programme and in accordance with its delegated powers (e.g. RHSE and pupil discipline/behaviour).
Ensure that the school’s policy on SEND is consistent with the Code of Practice and Equalities Act, most recent KCSIE updates and receive termly reports from the Headteacher/SENDCo and an annual report from the SEND Governor.
Ensure the SEND Policy is monitored and reviewed regularly and that the policy is known to parents/carers.
Ensure the school complies with the provisions of the Equalities Act 2010.

Curriculum and Improvement:

Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of leadership and management in relation to curriculum design, implementation and impact.
Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of curriculum design.
Monitor and evaluate the school’s own assessment of the impact of the curriculum for all groups of pupils to include Reading in all key stages.
Monitor and evaluate the quality of education and the impact of the curriculum including RHSE.
Monitor and evaluate the impact of continuing professional development on improving staff performance.
Monitor and evaluate provision for all groups of vulnerable children g. children looked after and children in need and ensure all their needs have been identified and addressed.
Monitor and review impact of Early Years Pupil Premium.
Set priorities for improvement and monitor and evaluate the impact of improvement plans which relate to the committee’s area of operation.
Receive reports from external sources and agree actions to address recommendations; monitor and evaluate progress made.
Ensure all children have equality of opportunity.
Monitor pupils’ attitudes, values and development of other personal qualities within the school through the provision of RHSE.

Behaviour, Development and Well-Being:

Ensure the school is fulfilling its responsibilities regarding safeguarding and child protection and the requirements of ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education’.
Ensure Safeguarding policies are adhered to; monitor and review all safeguarding policies/procedures within school.
Monitor and review data on behaviour, bullying, peer on peer abuse, attendance, suspensions and exclusions.
Ensure school is fulfilling its responsibilities with regards to pupils accessing alternative provision.
Ensure that adequate provision is made for pupil transition.

Engagement:

Monitor the school’s publicity, public presentation and relationships with parents/carers and the wider community.
Identify and celebrate pupil achievement.
Oversee and monitor arrangements for out of hours provision, extra-curricular activities and educational visits including overnight stays.
Ensure all statutory requirements for reporting and publishing information are met.
Review and monitor the school’s website to ensure that it is accessible and fully compliant with current DfE requirements.
Ensure the school works well with its community, parents and other schools.

MEETINGS: at least termly

QUORUM: 3

DISQUALIFICATIONS: None

First / Pay Review Committee

CHAIR: Miss L Wright

Elect Chair (if delegated by full Governing Body).
Annually agree the Teachers’ Pay Policy.
Consider any requests made in accordance with HR policies e.g. leave of absence etc. (unless delegated to the Headteacher).
Make any decisions under HR procedures adopted by the Governing Body e.g. disciplinary, grievance, ill-health, capability et (Unless delegated to the Headteacher).
Deal with matters relating to staffing reductions, restructures and changes to the permanent school staffing structure.
Act in accordance with the Teachers’ Pay Policy and School Teachers Pay and Conditions Document (STPCD) when carrying out the annual review of teachers’ salaries.
Lifting of Headteacher’s suspension (lifting of all other staff suspensions delegated to the Chair of Governors).

MEETINGS: at least annually

QUORUM: 3

DISQUALIFICATIONS: Headteacher; Chair of Governors (if have prior knowledge); where there may be a conflict of interest; any Governor whose spouse/partner is involved; staff (annual pay review and matters relating to staffing reductions)

Appeals Committee

CHAIR: Mrs M Rudd

Elect Chair (if delegated by full Governing Body).
Consider any appeal against a decision made under the HR policies adopted by the Governing Body.
Consider any appeal against a decision made by the First/Pay Review Committee during the annual review of teachers’ salaries.
Consider any appeal against selection for redundancy through a staffing reduction process.
Consider complaint under Stage 2 of the school’s Complaints Procedure.
Consider representations from parents/carers in the case of suspensions in line with statutory guidance.
Consider the appropriateness of any permanent exclusion or any suspension where one or more suspensions total more than 15 school days in one term.

MEETINGS: as and when required.

QUORUM: Must have at least the same number of Governors as were present at the original hearing.

DISQUALIFICATIONS: Headteacher; Chair of Governors (if have prior knowledge); any Governor involved in the original hearing; where there may be a conflict of interest; any Governor whose spouse/partner is involved; staff (appeals in relation to salary or staffing reduction decisions); Suspensions – prior knowledge; any Governor whose child is involved

VIREMENT AND EXPENDITURE LIMITS

Virement Limits		Expenditure Limits
Limit set for Headteacher without prior written approval of Chair of Governing Body	£1.000	Any items of expenditure up to	£5,000
Where the cumulative effect of multiple virements on the same budget heading exceeds this limit, details are to be reported to the next Finance and Premises Committee meeting for information and retrospective approval
Limit set for Headteacher with approval from Chair of Governors	£10,000	Above this limit if item was previously notified to the Governing Body.
A log of these approvals will be maintained and details reported to the next Finance and Premises Committee meeting.
Prior Finance and Premises Committee or Chair of Governors approval (whichever is the soonest) to be sought outside of these limits and reported to the Finance and Premises Committee at the earliest opportunity.

NOTE:

Any goods/services purchased and works to be carried out are subject to the latest Durham County Council Contract Procedures Rules as published on the school’s Extranet.

Delegation to Headteacher

School Staffing (England) Regulations 2009

The Governing Body can delegate the power to appoint outside the leadership group to:

The Headteacher
One or more Governors with the right of the Headteacher to advise
One or more Governors and the Headteacher

Appointments:

Governing Body delegates to Headteacher responsibility for the appointment of:

All supply cover
Temporary staff

Dismissals:

Governing Board delegates to the Headteacher responsibility in line with the delegation in school HR policies.

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