top of page
MicrosoftTeams-image.png

Governing Board of Claregate Primary School

Claregate Primary School Logo

Who are we?

 

Apart from representatives of the teaching and non-teaching staff, we are unpaid volunteers who fall into one of four categories: Elected Parent Governor, Staff Governor, Local Authority Governor or Co-opted Governor. The School website details each governor's category. Some of us have a background in education; others are from caring professions or industry. As a team, we like to think that we each bring something unique and valuable to our work at Claregate.

The Governing Board actively promotes ethnic diversity of membership so they truly represent the community that they serve. 

What do we do?

 

We meet as a full Governing Board three times a year to consider reports by the Headteacher, documents from the Local Authority and changes to the law.

 

In addition, there are two committees. The Finance and General Purposes Committee meets once per term and manages the school’s income and expenditure, financial standards and pay; the Strategy, Curriculum and Personnel Sub Committee meets once every half term. They take a close look at educational standards – are the children getting a good education at Claregate and how are the school leaders working to improve this? This Committee also deals with staffing matters.

 

We take an active interest and conduct focused “Learning Walks” to see the work of the school for ourselves. We check on the children’s progress and challenge areas that we think may need attention. We do not baulk from difficult decisions or challenging the leadership of the school and, as experienced professionals, we can support the school as it continually improves.

 

We particularly enjoy attending school events where children are able to showcase their achievement and talents; we are all child-centred individuals!

 

Although the role of a Governor is challenging in that it carries a level of responsibility and accountability, it is very rewarding when we see children enjoying school and thriving.

How can you contact us?

 

We are keen to know what the whole community think. Please talk to us if you wish to make your views known, or please write to the Chair of Governors via the school; correspondence is a standing agenda item.

 

Please be mindful that, as governors, while we can suggest and make changes to policy at meetings, we have no power as individuals to overrule the school. We adhere to the Claregate Complaint Policy so, if you have a complaint, please contact the school directly in the first instance: governors become involved at the appeal stage only. You may be able to resolve matters with the School through dialogue much more quickly and easily.

 

If there is a Safeguarding Issue please bring this to the immediate attention of Miss L Evans - Designated Safeguarding Lead

Key Successes of the Governing Board

 

Ofsted described us as a “highly effective Governing Body”. We have consistently supported innovative curriculum development. We ensure that safeguarding procedures are followed robustly; this is an area of particular expertise for Claregate with a social worker on the Board. We have taken particular interest in the achievement of children with Special Educational Needs and those disadvantaged by poverty. We have examined children’s writing in lessons and can see the improvements brought about by school leaders. Most importantly, we have appointed some wonderful staff who work hard for the benefit of the children and we have re-structured the workforce to achieve better value for money, always a very tricky process!

 

Please bear in mind that you only see the tip of the iceberg of what staff do during a school day. Unseen is the marking done at home, the meticulous planning in order to teach good lessons, the evening meetings and protective work that goes on confidentially in the background. Staff always appreciate recognition and like to know what is going well and letting them know is a kindness which would be much appreciated.

 

Stephanie Sherwood

Chair Of Governors

Name
Appointed From
Appointed To
Type / Voting Rights
Appointed By
Business or Pecuniary Interests
Material Interests – Relationships
Membership on any Other Governing Bodies
Mr David Hunt 
14/01/2022 
13/01/2026 
Parent, Full Voting 
Parents 
None 
­As a parent of child/ren in the school. 
None 
Ms Stacie Ryan 
12/10/2022 
11/10/2026 
Co-opted, Full Voting 
GB 
None 
As a parent of child/ren in the school. 
None 
Mrs Donna Kirkham 
05/02/2024 
04/02/2028 
Staff, Full Voting 
Staff 
Employed by the school 
None 
Ms Jamie-Leigh Price 
13/10/2021 
12/10/2025 
Parent, Full Voting 
Parents 
None 
As a parent of child/ren in the school. 
None 
Ms Bina Sandhu 
11/11/2021 
10/11/2025 
LA, Full Voting 
LA 
None 
None 
None 
Mrs Kelly Buckle 
22/03/2024 
21/03/2028 
Parent, Full Voting 
Parents 
None 
As a parent of child/ren in the school. 
None 
Mr Michael Murphy Headteacher 
01/09/2006 
Whenever employment terminates. 
Headteacher, Full Voting 
GB 
Employed by the school 
None 
None 
Mr David Saunders Deputy Headteacher 
16/05/2023 
15/05/2027 
Co-opted, Full Voting 
GB 
Employed by the school 
None 
None 
Miss Stephanie Sherwood Chair of Governors 
16/05/2023 
15/05/2027 
Co-opted, Full Voting 
GB 
­None 
None 
Mrs Sarah Lea 
10/10/2023 
09/10/2027 
Co-opted, Full Voting 
GB 
Headteacher at another school. 
As a parent of child/ren in the school. 
HT Governor Jessons Primary School, Dudley 
Mrs Amandeep Dulai 
13/01/2023 
12/01/2027 
Parent, Full Voting 
Parents 
None 
As a parent of child/ren in the school. 
None 
Ms Firdaws Ali 
10/10/2023 
09/10/2027 
Co-opted, Full Voting 
GB 
None 
As a parent of child/ren in the school. 
None 
Vacancy 

Governing Board Structure

Full Governing Body

Chair of Governors: Miss Stephanie Sherwood

Vice Chair of Governors: Mrs Stacie Ryan

 Strategy, Curriculum and Personnel

 

Mrs Stacie Ryan (Chair)

Mr Michael Murphy 

Mr David Saunders

Miss Stephanie Sherwood

Ms Bina Sandhu

Ms Jamie-Leigh Price

Ms Firdaws Ali

Mrs Kelly Buckle

Finance and General Purposes

Mrs Amandeep Dulai (Chair)

Mr Michael Murphy 

Mr David Saunders

Mr David Hunt

Ms Bina Sandhu

Mrs Sarah Lea

Mrs Donna Kirkham

Pay Committee

 

Mrs Amandeep Dulai

Mrs Stacie Ryan

 Staff Dismissal Committee

 

Any 3 non-staff Governors without a declaration of interest.  We convene this committee as we need to, we do not choose Governors in advance.

 

Pupil Discipline Committee

 

Any 3 non-staff Governors without a declaration of interest.  We do not choose these people in advance, we convene this committee as we need to.

Our Link Governors
 

Name
Link
Mrs Amandeep Dulai / Ms Jamie-Leigh Price 
Safeguarding / Child Protection / Online Safety 
Mrs Stacie Ryan 
SEND 
Mrs Sarah Lea 
Pupil Premium 
Vacancy 
Compliance 
David Hunt 
Health and Safety 
Ms Bina Sandhu 
Looked After Children / Children in Care 

Governor Attendance at Meetings

X
C
Blank
indicates present
indicates that no apologies were sent
indicates that absence was consented to
was not a governor/committee member at that time

Please click here to view our Governors Attendance Archive for previous years.

Governor Attendance - 2024-25

Strategy,Curriculum & Personal Committee
Voting
02.10.24
19.12.24
Ms Stacie Cooper - Chair of Committee 
Full 
✔ 
Mrs Sarah Lee 
Full 
✔ 
✔ 
Mr Michael Murphy (HT) 
Full 
✔ 
✔ 
Mr David Saunders (DHT) 
Full 
✔ 
✔ 
Miss Stephanie Sherwood 
Full 
✔ 
✔ 
Ms Bina Sandu 
Full 
✔ 
✔ 
Ms Jamie-Leigh Price 
Full 
✔ 
Ms Firdaws Ali 
Full 
✔ 
Full Governing Body
08.10.24
05/02/25
Ms Stacie Cooper - Vice Chair 
C
✔ 
Mr Michael Murphy (HT) 
✔ 
✔ 
Mr David Saunders (DHT) 
✔ 
✔ 
Miss Stephanie Sherwood (Chair) 
✔ 
✔ 
Vacancy
Mrs Sarah Lea 
✔ 
✔ 
Mrs Amandeep Dulai 
✔ 
Ms Jamie-Leigh Price 
✔ 
✔ 
Mr David Hunt 
✔ 
✔ 
Ms Bina Sandhu 
✔ 
✔ 
Ms Firdaws Ali 
✔ 
✔ 
Mrs Donna Kirkham 
✔ 
✔ 
Finance and GP Committee
Voting
22.10.24
25/02/25
Bursar - via S4S 
✔ 
✔ 
Mr Michael Murphy (HT) 
Full 
✔ 
✔ 
Mr David Saunders (DHT) 
Full 
✔ 
C
Mrs Amandeep Dulai - Chair of Committee 
Full 
✔ 
Mrs Sarah Lee 
Full 
✔ 
✔ 
Mr David Hunt 
Full 
✔ 
Mrs Donna Kirkham 
Full 
✔ 
✔ 
Ms Bina Sandu 
Full 
✔ 
Miss Stephanie Sherwood 
Full 
✔ 
C

If you require paper copies of anything found on our site then please contact us.

bottom of page