Governors
Our school governing body is made up of parent, staff, Local Authority and co-opted governors. Our governors may come to us through a variety of routes and with a range of different backgrounds, skills and experiences, but they are all volunteers who work together for the benefit of the school and are the link between the school and the community it serves. The governing body takes a strategic role, acting as a critical friend to the school and is accountable for its decisions. It sets aims and objectives and agrees, monitors and reviews polices, targets and priorities.
Parents wishing to put themselves forward as governors have the opportunity to do so when a parent governor's term of office expires. In this instance, an election will be held if there are more nominations than places vacant.
What we look for in our governors
• An interest in the performance of the school
• A desire to contribute to and represent the community
• An open and enquiring mind
• The ability to look at issues objectively
• The confidence to ask questions and join in debate
• A willingness to listen and make informed judgements
• The ability to work well with others
What we offer
Being a governor can be enjoyable, stimulating and rewarding. It can also offer:
• A chance to develop skills in strategic management
• The opportunity to work with our team of governors and staff in improving our school
• Training to develop an understanding of specific school management issues
• A sense of achievement in making a difference to our school
• The pleasure of helping students reach their potential
The Governing Body's Role
The Governing Body has three main functions:
• Setting strategic direction - championing our vision, values and ethos and setting priorities for school improvement.
• Holding to account – we are responsible for holding the Headteacher and Senior Leaders to account for the quality of teaching and learning, levels of achievement, behaviours and safety.
• Ensuring good financial governance – ensuring good financial management by setting and overseeing the budget, ensuring that resources are allocated to school priorities and needs. In practice though, we are best described as a ‘critical friend’.
The Headteacher has overall responsibility for the internal organisation, management and control of the school and for Fairfield First. That means creating an environment where everyone can thrive and reach their full potential: children, staff and our families. The governing body is there to provide a framework which helps the Headteacher to deliver the aims and vision of the school and enables him to reach his potential through the right mix of support and challenge.
The governing body works together as a team:
• The governing body meets approx. each half-term
• All governors cover a range of information, including Finance, Premises, Curriculum, Standards, Personnel and Health & Safety. There is tried and tested training and support available to help you, including an induction programme and training.
Our LA Clerk to the Governors is Mrs Claire Wing. You can contact her through the School Office at office@fairfield.worcs.sch.uk
If you or someone you know is interested in finding out more, our LA Clerk to the Governors is Mrs Claire Wing. You can contact her through the School Office at office@fairfield.worcs.sch.uk
Our Current Governors
Name and Role |
Pen Portrait |
|---|---|
|
Mrs Lynn Ball; Co-opted Governor; Chairperson
|
My name is Lynn Ball and I have been a Governor here at Fairfield since 2013. My daughter attended the school and, in my opinion, was given the best possible start to her school years. She is now 15 and still speaks fondly of her first school years. During this time, I was able to offer my support, as a parent helper, enjoying working alongside the children and supporting forest school one afternoon a week. This was an activity I truly adored as the youngsters were so receptive and keen to learn. On a personal note, I am extremely passionate about learning and the impact that school has on young people. I have just reached the milestone of being in the teaching profession for 30 years. The majority of my career has been spent in various roles across two large primary schools in Wolverhampton. I chose to move closer to home in 2015 and currently am a part time class teacher, at a small village first school not too far away. In my spare time, I enjoy spending quality time with family and friends. I enjoy musicals and watching Women’s Football. |
|
Neil Edwards; Co-opted Governor; Vice Chair
|
I have been a co-opted Governor for several years now and been associated with the school through my 3 children attending quite a few years ago. I love the feeling and ethos of the school which gives the children such a great start to their education. Its great being able to support the school through the governing body and shaping its future and the role it plays within the local community. |
|
Shirley Webb; Local Authority Governor
|
I was delighted to be asked to join the board of governors as the local authority representative. Fairfield is a wonderful school and I enjoy working with all the members. I am a first time school governor but have been a local councillor for many years and a county councillor since May 2017. I have a young daughter myself and hope my input will prove valuable. |
|
Teacher; Staff Governor AWAITING APPOINTMENT
|
|
| Clare Dunlop, Co-opted Governor |
I have recently joined the board as a co-opted governor. I have lived in Fairfield for 25 years and have been happily involved with Fairfield First School as a parent, teacher and grandparent. I’m thrilled to now have the opportunity to support the school as a governor and I’m hoping my educational knowledge and local community background will make me a useful member of the board. |
|
Richard Brookes, Parent Governor
|
I’m the most recent addition to the board of governors, and I’m delighted to be contributing to the group and to Fairfield First School. My son started school in 2021, and I was really impressed with the school, its ethos and the dedication of the staff. When a gap appeared on the board, I was keen to contribute. I’ve lived in Bromsgrove for almost 10 years and, as a Chartered Health and Safety professional, I felt I had a lot to offer the board, and I’m looking forward to supporting the school. |
|
Scott Smith; Headteacher
|
I have been the very proud headteacher at Fairfield since 2013. It is a great school that receives lots of support from our local community. Our Governors are a dedicated body with a broad range of skills and experience. All members of the Governing Body take pride in ensuring that we offer the best possible provision for all of our families. |
|
Claire Wing; Clerk to the Governors
|
Full Name |
Position/Governor Role |
Term of Office |
Date of appointment |
Appointed by (in accordance with Governing Board’s instrument of Governance) |
Relationships with School staff |
Relevant business & Pecuniary interests |
Other establishments they govern |
|
Lynn Ball |
Chair |
4 |
01/05/21 |
Co-opted by Governing Body |
None |
None |
None |
|
Neil Edwards |
Vice Chair |
4 |
27/09/18 |
Co-Opted by Governing Body |
None |
None |
None |
|
Shirley Webb |
Local Authority |
4 |
17/03/18 |
Local Authority |
None |
Worcestershire County Councillor |
Chadsgrove School |
|
|
Staff |
|
|
Elected by Staff |
Employed as a Teacher |
|
|
|
Claire Dunlop |
Co-Opted |
4 |
26/01/23 |
Co-opted by Governing Body |
Parent of TA |
None |
None |
|
Richard Brookes |
Parent |
4 |
04/07/21 |
Parents |
Parent |
None |
None |
|
Scott Smith |
Ex-Officio |
N/A |
01/04/13 |
N/A |
Head Teacher |
None |
None |
| Claire Wing | Clerk | N/A | 01/05/21 | Governing Body | None | None | None |
INSTRUMENT OF GOVERNMENT
1. The name of the school is Fairfield First School
2. The school is a COMMUNITY SCHOOL.
3. The name of the governing body is "The governing body of Fairfield School".
4. The governing body shall consist of:
- a. Two parent governors
- b. One LA governor
- c. One staff governor
- d. One headteacher
- e. Three co-opted governors
5. Total number of governors 8
6. This instrument of government comes into effect on 1st September 2023
7. This instrument was made by order of Worcestershire Local Authority on 1 September 2023
8. This instrument was amended at 4e by order of Worcestershire Local Authority on 1 September 2023
9. A copy of the instrument must be supplied to every member of the governor body (and the headteacher if not a governor), any trustees and to the appropriate religious body.
Please find below all relevant documents and visit reports
