Governor Information
Welcome to the Governors Page
The Governing Body of Birkenshaw CE (C) Primary School is a group of parents, staff, members of the diocese and members of the local community who oversee the running of your school. The school is very fortunate to have a hard working and supportive Governing Body which meets regularly to discuss all areas of school activity in order to ensure that the school is fulfilling its duties and to forward new developments and other improvements. Each Governor is passionate about the school and volunteers their time, away from their busy schedules, to act as a ‘critical friend’ to the school.
In addition to the full Governing Body which meets four times a year, there are three ‘sub-committees’ who meet three times a year to deal with different aspects of school management in more detail:
- Resources Committee, which focuses on the school finances, the upkeep of the premises, projects and staffing issues.
- Standards and Effectiveness Committee, which focuses on the academic performance of the school, curriculum and child welfare matters; and
- Children, Families and Communities Committee, which focuses on pastoral needs, behaviour, links with parents and the local community
The Governors also make regular visits to the school. Through doing this they get to know the staff, children and parents and are, therefore, better informed about the school they are responsible for overseeing.
The following people have been elected or appointed to represent you on the governing body:
|
Name |
Type of Governor |
Body who appointed |
Date Appointed |
Term of Office |
Stepdown |
Governance role in another school |
|
Mrs Amanda Mahoney (Chair) |
Co-opted Community |
Governors |
Nov 2022 |
4 years Nov 2026 |
|
No |
|
Cllr Elizabeth Smaje
|
Local Authority |
Local Authority |
March 2023 |
4 Years Mar 2027 |
|
No |
|
Mrs Rebecca Martin
|
Headteacher |
Ex- Officio |
Sept 2012 |
Ex- Officio |
|
No |
|
Mrs Helen Hare |
Staff |
Staff |
July 2022 |
4 years July 2026 |
|
No |
|
Mrs Joanne Frost |
Co-opted Staff |
Governors |
Sept 2025 |
4 Years Sept 2029 |
|
No |
|
Mr Ian Tobin
|
Associate Member |
Associate Staff Member |
Sep 2024 |
4 years Sep 2028 |
|
No |
|
Mr Richard Wayman |
Co-opted Community |
Governors |
Mar 2025 |
4 Years Mar 2029 |
|
No |
|
Mrs Katherine Hainsworth |
Associate Member |
Associate Staff Member |
Sep 2024 |
4 years Sep 2028 |
|
No |
|
Mr Richard McKirgan (Vice Chair) |
Co-opted Community |
Governors |
Mar 2025 |
4 Years Mar 2029 |
|
No |
|
Mrs Claire Tidgwell |
Parent |
Parents |
June 2023 |
4 Years June 2027 |
|
No |
|
Mrs Valerie Hesketh |
Co-opted |
Governors |
Mar 2022 |
4 Years Mar 2026 |
April 2024 |
No |
|
Miss H Woodcock |
Ex-Officio |
Diocese |
Jan 2023 |
4 Years Jan 2027 |
|
No |
|
Mrs Helen Worsnup |
Foundation |
PCC |
July 2024 |
4 years July 2028 |
|
No |
|
Mr Mark Palmer |
Parent |
Parents |
May 2025 |
4 years May 2029 |
|
No |
|
Vacancy |
Foundation |
Diocese |
|
|
|
|
Please click on this link to view the Governing Body Code of Conduct
Governing Body Committees
As well as being on the main Governing Body, Governors are also members of different committees. The committees for 2025 / 2026 are -
Standards and Effectiveness Committee (main)
Please click on this link to see the Terms of Reference
Mrs A Mahoney
Head Teacher
Mrs J Frost
Mr R Wayman
Mrs C Tidgwell
Mrs H Worsnup
Mr I Tobin (Associate)
Vacancy
Resources Committee (main)
Please click on this link to see the Terms of Reference
Mrs A Mahoney
Head Teacher
Mr R McKirgan
Mrs H Woodcock
Mrs H Hare
Mrs K Hainsworth (Associate)
Mr M Palmer
Children, Families and Community Committee (main)
Please click on this link to see the Terms of Reference
Mrs A Mahoney
Head Teacher
Mr R McKirgan
Mrs H Hare
Cllr E Smaje
Mr M Palmer
Mrs K Hainsworth ( Associate)
Pay Committee
Please click on this link to see the Terms of Reference
Mrs A Mahoney
Head Teacher
Cllr E Smaje
Mr R McKirgan
Staff Dismissals Committee
Mrs A Mahoney
Cllr E Smaje
Mr R Wayman
Dismissal Appeals Committee
Mrs C Tidgwell
Mrs H Woodcock
Mr R McKirgan
Pupil Discipline Committee
Mrs A Mahoney
Mrs H Worsnup
Mrs M Palmer
Teacher Appraisal Committee
Mrs A Mahoney
Cllr E Smaje
Mr R McKirgan
Teacher Appraisal Appeals Committee
Mrs C Tidgwell
Mr M Palmer
Mr R Wayman
Complaints Committee
All Governors who are not staff members in school will be considered members of this committee and the relevant / most suitable staff will be selected to form the committee if it needs to convene. If necessary Governors from other schools will be invited to join this committee.
Governors Responsibilities
All our school Governors are linked to a priority or focus area in school. Each term, Governors meet with the relevant member of school staff to discuss their area in further detail. Governors look at action plans, data and impact of actions linked to each area. They hold the school to account as well as becoming well informed about a particular priority in school. Each Governor shares visit information with the other Governors so that all Governors are well informed. Below is a list of the priority areas for 2025 - 2026.
|
Priority Area |
Staff Lead |
Link Governor |
|
Assessment and Curriculum |
Ian Tobin / Rebecca Martin |
Jo Frost and Richard Wayman |
|
RE / SIAMS |
Claire Dickens |
Hilary Woodcock |
|
PE/Sports Premium |
Ian Tobin |
Richard McKirgan |
|
Pupil Premium/LAC |
Rebecca Martin |
Claire Tidgwell |
|
Health and Safety |
Sara Mitchell / Rebecca Martin |
Mark Palmer |
|
SEN / Equality |
Katherine Hainsworth |
Richard McKirgan |
|
Early Years |
Rachel Fox / Claire Dickens |
Helen Hare |
|
Safeguarding & children protection |
Rebecca Martin / Ian Tobin |
Cllr Liz Smaje |
|
Behaviour and Attendance |
Rebecca Martin |
Amanda Mahoney |
|
Emotional Wellbeing |
Sharron Goldspink / Helen Hare |
Helen Worsnup |
|
Training |
Rebecca Martin |
Jo Frost |
|
Website |
Rebecca Martin / Jo Frost |
Richard Wayman |
Governor Class Links
Each of our Governors is linked to a class. During the year Governors visit and write to their link classes. They get to know the children and all about the curriculum in their year group. At the end of the year, each Governor moves up to the next year group with their link class. This ensures that the Governors continue to build relationships with specific groups of children. The links for 2025-2026 are –
|
Class |
Year Group |
Teachers Name |
Linked Governors Name |
|
Ladybird |
Early Years |
Mrs Elliott & Mrs Dickens |
Helen Hare |
|
Dragonfly |
Early Years |
Miss Chipchase & Mrs Dickens |
Cllr Elizabeth Smaje & Mark Palmer |
|
Butterfly |
Early Years |
Mrs Charlesworth |
Cllr Elizabeth Smaje & Mark Palmer |
|
Seadragon |
Year 1 |
Mrs Tobin & Mrs Hainsworth |
Hilary Woodcock |
|
Stingray |
Year 1 |
Mrs Hare & Miss Wilcock |
Hilary Woodcock |
|
Starfish |
Year 2 |
Mrs Jaroszek & Miss Wilcock |
Claire Tidgwell |
|
Dolphin |
Year 2 |
Miss Owens& Miss Wilcock |
Claire Tidgwell |
|
Zebra |
Year 3 |
Mrs Walker & Mr Tobin |
Amanda Mahoney |
|
Leopard |
Year 3 |
Miss Hall |
Amanda Mahoney |
|
Kangaroo |
Year 4 |
Miss Varley |
Jo Frost |
|
Koala |
Year 4 |
Mrs Charrosin |
Jo Frost |
|
Owl |
Year 5 |
Miss Hawkes |
Richard McKirgan |
|
Robin |
Year 5 |
Mrs Walsh & Mr Tobin |
Richard McKirgan |
|
Hawk |
Year 6 |
Miss Jackson |
Helen Worsnup & Richard Wayman |
|
Eagle |
Year 6 |
Mrs Margetts |
Helen Worsnup & Richard Wayman |
Contact details for the Chair of Governors Mrs A Mahoney
Email: chair.birkenshawprimary@kirkleeseducation.uk
