Governors

Caldew School is fortunate to be supported by a dedicated and well qualified governing body. Governors all work voluntarily to ensure the school delivers the highest possible standards of education for our community.

“Governors bring a good range of skills and experience to their roles. They understand how well the students are performing in relation to all schools. They hold leaders closely to account.”
Ofsted April 2013

The Role of the Governing Body

The main aim of the governing body is to maintain and improve the school’s standards of education. Its work can be divided into three key areas:

  • Setting the school’s vision and strategic aims, agreeing plans and policies, and making creative use of resources.
  • Monitoring and evaluating performance, acting as a critical friend to the Headteacher and Senior Leadership Team to support and challenge them in managing the school.
  • Ensuring that the school is accountable to the children and parents it serves, to its local community, to those who fund and maintain it, as well as to the staff it employs.

The Responsibilities of the Governing Body

The responsibilities of the governing body are defined by legislation.

‘The Governors’ Handbook addresses governors’ responsibilities and can be viewed through the Department for Education website.

The main areas addressed in the guide are as follows:

  • The role of governing bodies
  • Constitution and procedures
  • Education and inspection
  • Pupil wellbeing
  • Teachers and support staff
  • Organisational changes and the use of school premises
  • School finance
  • Information sharing

Structure Of Members and Governors

 

MEMBERS  (5)

  • Tazeem Abbas 
  • Bryan Craig
  • Johanne Doherty
  • Michael Smillie (Vice-Chair)
  • Jennie Wilkinson (Chair)


Head Teacher   Vicki  Jackson      Company Secretary    Dave Foulkes

 

GOVERNORS  (15)

 First Governors  (Appointed by Members)

  • Bryan Craig
  • Vacancy (Vice-Chair)
  • Jennie Wilkinson (Chair)


Parent Governors (Elected by Parents)

  • Victoria Lawson
  • Karen Quinn (Safeguarding Governor)

 

Staff Governors (Elected by Staff)

  • Vicki Jackson (Headteacher)
  • Barry Keal  (Associate Staff Governor)
  • Brendan McArdle  (Teacher Governor)
  • Carrie Wallace   (Teacher Governor)


Community/Co-opted Governors (Appointed by FGB)

  • Louise Atkinson
  • Steven Tweedie
  • Grant Smith
  • Vacancy


Clerk to the Governors         Mrs Sarah Connolly - Email the Clerk

 

Leaders have created a welcoming and supportive environment at this school. Pupils and students achieve well in their learning. They are well prepared for their next steps in education, employment and training.

Ofsted 2022

Leaders have made significant progress in improving the school since the previous inspection. They have focused on creating a broad and ambitious curriculum which meets the needs of pupils and students, including those with special educational needs and /or disabilities (SEND).

Ofsted 2022

Leaders provide effective careers guidance to pupils from Year 7 through to Year 13. Clear guidance, including preparation for interviews and ‘Work Ready Days’, helps pupils and students to make considered choices for their next steps.

Ofsted 2022

There is a strong culture of safeguarding in place, with clear systems to record any concerns. Leaders keep safeguarding relevant to all members of the school community through regular updates, training, alerts and reminders.

Ofsted 2022

Pupils including students in the sixth form, are proud to attend Caldew School. They feel well supported, happy and safe in this welcoming community. There are high level of trust and respect between pupils, students and staff.

Ofsted 2022