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Growing & Learning Together

Governance

Our Governing Body is made up of the Headteacher, a member of staff, parents and co-opted governors, who are elected because they have specific skills and knowledge that can be of benefit to the school.

If you would like to contact a governor or would like more information about their role please speak to the nursery office or email us on: governors@highfield.suffolk.sch.uk

What do Governors do?

School governors provide strategic leadership and accountability in schools. Governors appoint the headteacher and deputy headteacher. It is governors who hold the main responsibility for finance in schools, and it is governors who work with the headteacher to make the tough decisions about balancing resources.

Each individual governor is a member of a governing board, which is established in law as a corporate body. Individual governors may not act independently of the rest of the governing board; decisions are the joint responsibility of the governing board.  

The role of the governing board is a strategic one, its key functions are to:

  • Set the aims and objectives for the school
  • Set the policies for achieving those aims and objectives
  • Set the targets for achieving those aims and objectives
  • Monitor and evaluate the progress the school is making towards achievement of its aims and objectives
  • Be a source of challenge and support to the headteacher (a critical friend)

Our Governing Body Team

Name Present Role & Areas of Responsibility
Mrs Sally Evans Chair of Governing Body Team, Personnel Committee, LA Governor
Mrs Jenny Auber Vice Chair of Governing Body Team
Mrs Ruth Coleman Headteacher
Mrs Jannice Simpson Finance Committee non-voting, Children's Centre Manager, Daycare Director
Mrs Natasha Trinder Associate Member, Daycare Manager, Learning and Achievement Committee, Health and safety Committee
Mr Ross Beech Chair of Finance Committee, Children's Centre advisory board member, Chairs/Steering committee, Daycare director
Mr Stephen Skeet Learning and Achievement Committee
Mr David Goldsmith Health and Safety Committee
Mr Andrew Morrison Learning and Achievement Committee, Health and Safety Committee and Finance Committee
Mrs Denise Lewis Learning and Achievement Committee and Health and Safety Committee, Staff Governor
Miss Bethany Lewis Governor Support (Non Voting) - Admin Assistant

Governors’ Corner. What goes on behind the scenes!

Sally Evans is our chair of governors. Sally has three boys, Elystan, Bertie and Oscar, the youngest two went to Highfield Nursery School. She was so impressed by the experiences her children had that she offered herself as a parent representative on the governing body. Sally is a Forensic Psychologist, lectures at the University of Suffolk and is studying for a Doctorate.

As Chair Sally has to make sure the business of the Governing body is conducted properly and is legal. The Governors oversee the staffing and financing of the school and Children’s Centre, the assessment and safety of children and the management of the school building. It looks like a big job but Sally has other governors and school staff who help her. She has regular meetings with the Headteacher, Ruth Coleman and the Children’s Centre Manager, Jannice Simpson and visits the school frequently. She chairs a Full Governing Body meeting once a term.

Sally says

‘The Governing Body for Highfield Nursery School and Children’s Centre are an amazing team with a wealth of experience and commitment. I am privileged to work with them and am excited to contribute to its continued success’.

Please click the below drop-downs to view our governor attendance. If you would like more information please ask at the main office.

Full Governing Body Attendance

Governor Name Present On 24/11/22 Present On 30/03/23
Sally Evans (Chair) Yes Yes
Jenny Auber Yes Yes
Ruth Coleman Yes Yes
Jannice Simpson Yes Yes
Natasha Trinder Yes No
Ross Beech Yes Yes
Andrew Morrison Yes Yes
Stephen Skeet Yes Yes
Denise Lewis Yes Yes
Karen Pringle Yes Yes
David Goldsmith Yes Yes

Finance Committee Attendance

Governor Name Present On 15/11/22 Present On 09/05/23
Mr Ross Beech (Chair) Yes Yes
Mrs Jenny Auber No No
Mrs Ruth Coleman Yes Yes
Mrs Janncie Simpson Yes Yes
Mrs Karen Pringle No Yes
Mr Andrew Morrison Yes Yes
Mrs Sally Evans Yes No

Health & Safety Committee Attendance

Governor Name Present On 05/12/22 Present On ...
Mr Andrew Morrison (Chair) TBC TBC
Mrs Ruth Coleman TBC TBC
Mrs Natasha Trinder

TBC

TBC
Mrs Jenny Auber TBC TBC
Mrs Jannice Simpson TBC TBC
Mrs Denise Lewis TBC TBC
Mr David Goldsmith TBC TBC

Pay/Personnel Committee Attendance

Governor Name Present On 02/11/22 Present On 18/01/23 Present On 15/03/23
Mrs Jenny Auber (Chair) Yes Yes No
Mrs Jannice Simpson No Yes Yes
Mr Andrew Morrison No No No
Mrs Ruth Coleman Yes Yes Yes
Mrs Sally Evans Yes Yes Yes
Mrs Karen Pringle No No Yes

Learning & Achievement Committee Attendance

Governor Name Present On 21/10/22 Present On ...
Mr Stephen Skeet (Chair) Yes TBC
Mrs Jenny Auber No TBC
Mrs Ruth Coleman Yes TBC
Mr Andrew Morrison No TBC
Mrs Natasha Trinder No TBC
Mrs Denise Lewis No TBC
Mrs Jannice Simpson Yes TBC

Chairs/Steering Committee Attendance

Governor Name Present On 06/10/22 Present On 18/01/23 Present On 01/03/23
Mrs Jenny Auber (Chair) Yes Yes Yes
Mrs Jannice Simpson Yes Yes No
Mrs Karen Pringle Yes No No
Mrs Natasha Trinder No No No
Mr Andrew Morrison No No No
Mr Ross Beech Yes No No
Mrs Ruth Coleman Yes Yes Yes
Mr Stephen Skeet No No No
Mrs Sally Evans Yes Yes Yes