Our Governing Body

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

The Governing Body meet once per term and are responsible for appointing staff, setting targets for improvement, reviewing school policies, monitoring and evaluating the performance of the school, and overseeing the school budget. Mrs Michelle Radford is the Chair of the Governing Body. Correspondence for the Chair can be sent to:

c/o Cassop Primary School
Cassop
Durham
DH6 4RA

REGISTER OF BUSINESS INTERESTS

From 1 September 2015, governing bodies are under a duty of publish on their website their register of interests. The register includes relevant business interests of governors and details of any other education establishments they govern. The register also sets out if there are any relationships between governors and members of the school staff including spouses, partners and relatives.

Governing Body Committee Structure for Cassop Primary School member of The Acorn Federation

The Governing body consists of:

Name	Representing	Term of Office	Committee	Responsibilities	Register of Interests	Relationship to Staff
Cllr Maura McKeon (Vice Chair)	Co-opted	19/01/2022 - 18/01/2026	Appeals (Chair) Curriculum HT Performance Staffing		Kelloe Primary School	None
Mr Andrew Fletcher	Co-opted	19/01/2022 - 18/01/2026	Finance and Premises First/Pay Review HT Performance		None	None
Ms Victoria Hewison	Head Teacher	19/01/2022 - ongoing			Head Teacher at Cassop and West Pelton Primary School	None
Mrs Jill Jackson	Co-opted	19/01/2022 - 18/01/2026	Staffing		Deputy Head Teacher at Cassop Primary School	None
Mrs Helen Atherton	Staff	19/01/2022 - 18/01/2026	Finance and Premises Staffing	EYFS	School Business Manager at Cassop and West Pelton Primary School	None
Mr Michael Summers	Parent Elected	19/01/2022 - 18/01/2026	First/Pay Review		Durham Music Service Trustee. Education Durham	None
Mrs Michelle Radford (Chair)	Co-opted	19/01/2022 - 18/01/2026	Finance and Premises HT Performance Staffing (Chair) Curriculum (Chair) First/Pay Review (Chair)	SEN LAC Safeguarding	None	None
Mrs Alison Whelan	Parent Elected	19/01/2022 - 18/01/2026	First/Pay Review Curriculum Finance and Premises (Chair) Staffing	Training and Development Wellbeing	None	None
Mrs Christine Baxter	Co-opted	19/01/2022 - 18/01/2026	Staffing		Deputy Head Teacher at West Pelton Primary School	None
Cllr Danny Wood	Local Authority	19/01/2022 - 18/01/2026	Appeals HT Performance		None	None
Ms Deborah Ainsworth	Co-opted	19/01/2022 - 18/01/2026	Finance and Premises		HLTA at West Pelton Primary School	None
Dr Rachael Kirkley	Co-opted	16/02/2023 - 15/02/2027	Appeals Finance and Premises		None	None

Statutory Guidance for Governing Bodies

Cassop Primary 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.

The Constitution of Governing Bodies of Maintained Schools (2017) Governor Code of Conduct Policy

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.

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
n/a – Not a member of the committee

Record of Attendance 2023-2024

Name	Finance and Premises Committee Meeting Thursday 05.10.2023	Curriculum Committee Meeting Wednesday 08.11.2023	Full Governing Body Committee Meeting Wednesday 15.11.2023	Pay Review Committee Meeting Monday 04.12.2023	Finance and Premises Committee Meeting Wednesday 31.01.2024	Curriculum Committee Meeting Wednesday 07.03.2024	Full Governing Body Committee Meeting Tuesday 12.03.2024
Mrs Helen Atherton		N/A		N/A		N/A
Ms Deborah Ainsworth		N/A		N/A		N/A	A/A
Dr Rachael Kirkley	N	N		N/A		N	N
Mr Michael Summers	N/A	N/A			N/A	N/A
Mrs Christine Baxter	N/A	N/A	A/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	A/A
Ms Victoria Hewison
Mrs Michelle Radford
Mrs Alison Whelan			A/A		A/A
Cllr Danny Wood	N/A	N/A		N/A	N/A	N/A
Mrs Jill Jackson	N/A	N/A	A/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	A/A
Cllr Maura McKeon	N/A	N		N/A	N/A		A/A
Mr Andrew Fletcher	N	N/A	A/A	N	A/A	N/A	A/A

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

Committee Terms of Reference

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