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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 Lauren Woodward Chair of the Governing Body Team
Mrs Ruth Coleman Headteacher
Mrs Jannice Simpson Finance Committee non-voting, Children's Centre Manager, Daycare Director, Personnel Committee
Mrs Natasha Trinder Associate Member, Daycare Manager, Learning and Achievement Committee, Health and safety Committee
Mr Ross Beech Chair of the Finance Committee, Children's Centre advisory board member, Chairs/Steering committee, Daycare director
Mr Stephen Skeet Co-Vice Chair. Learning and Achievement Committee, Chairs/Steering committee
Mr David Goldsmith Health and Safety Committee, Finance Committee
Mr Andrew Morrison Co-Vice Chair. Health and Safety Committee and Finance Committee, Chairs/Steering Committee, Personnel Committee
Mrs Denise Lewis Learning and Achievement Committee, Staff Governor
Mrs Natalie Sadler Learning and Achievement Committee
Miss Bethany Lewis Governor Support (Non Voting) - Admin Assistant

 

‘The Governing Body for Highfield Nursery School and Children’s Centre are an amazing team with a wealth of experience and commitment’. Sally Evans

Please click the drop-downs below to view our governor's 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 Present On 22/06/23

Present On 23/11/23

Lauren Woodward (Chair) No No Yes Yes
Ruth Coleman Yes Yes Yes Yes
Jannice Simpson Yes Yes Yes Yes
Natasha Trinder Yes No Yes Yes
Ross Beech Yes Yes Yes Yes
Andrew Morrison Yes Yes Yes Yes
Stephen Skeet Yes Yes Yes No
Denise Lewis Yes Yes Yes No
Karen Pringle Yes Yes Yes Yes
David Goldsmith Yes Yes No Yes
Natalie Sadler No No No Yes
Jenny Auber Yes Yes Yes N/A

Finance Committee Attendance

Governor Name Present On 15/11/22 Present On 09/05/23

Present On 06/06/23

Present On 31/10/23
Mr Ross Beech (Chair) Yes Yes Yes TBC
Mrs Jenny Auber No No No TBC
Mrs Ruth Coleman Yes Yes Yes TBC
Mrs Janncie Simpson Yes Yes Yes TBC
Mrs Karen Pringle No Yes Yes TBC
Mr Andrew Morrison Yes Yes Yes TBC
David Goldsmith N/A N/A N/A N/A

Health & Safety Committee Attendance

Governor Name Present On 05/12/22 Present On 07/11/23
Mr David Goldsmith (Chair) TBC No
Mrs Ruth Coleman TBC Yes
Mrs Natasha Trinder

TBC

No
Mrs Jenny Auber TBC No
Mrs Jannice Simpson TBC Yes
Mr Andrew Morrison TBC No

Pay/Personnel Committee Attendance

Governor Name Present On 02/11/22 Present On 18/01/23 Present On 15/03/23 Present On 10/10/23
Mrs Lauren Woodward (Chair) N/A N/A N/A N/A
Mrs Jannice Simpson No Yes Yes No
Mr Andrew Morrison No No No No
Mrs Ruth Coleman Yes Yes Yes Yes
Mrs Karen Pringle No No Yes No
Mrs Jenny Auber Yes Yes No Yes

Learning & Achievement Committee Attendance

Governor Name Present On 21/10/22 Present On 14/07/23 Present On 08/11/23
Mr Stephen Skeet (Chair) Yes No Yes
Mrs Jenny Auber No No No
Mrs Ruth Coleman Yes Yes Yes
Mrs Natasha Trinder No No No
Mrs Denise Lewis No No No
Mrs Jannice Simpson Yes No Yes
Mrs Lauren Woodward N/A Yes No

Chairs/Steering Committee Attendance

Governor Name Present On 06/10/22 Present On 18/01/23 Present On 01/03/23 Present On 10/10/12
Mrs Lauren Woodward (Chair) N/A N/A N/A N/A
Mrs Jannice Simpson Yes Yes No No
Mrs Karen Pringle Yes No No Yes
Mrs Natasha Trinder No No No No
Mr Andrew Morrison No No No Yes
Mr Ross Beech Yes No No Yes
Mrs Ruth Coleman Yes Yes Yes Yes
Mr Stephen Skeet No No No Yes
Mrs Jenny Auber Yes Yes Yes Yes

 Please click here to see the governor's list of declared pecuniary interests, which is updated annually.