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

List of Governors

Chair of Governors

  • Jennie Wilkinson MBE, JP.

Clerk to the Governors

Company Secretary

  • Dave Foulkes

Members/First Governors

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

Parent Governors

  • Victoria Lawson
  • Stuart Cooper
  • Keith Ross
  • Vacancy

Staff Governors

  • Vicki Jackson (Headteacher)
  • Karen Cavanagh (Associate Staff Governor)
  • Brendan McArdle (Teacher Governor)
  • Carrie Wallace (Teacher Governor)

Community Governors

  • Louise Atkinson
  • Lucy Morrison
  • Grant Smith
  • Steven Tweedie

The strengthening of care and support has had a positive impact on most pupils. It was clearly visible when inspectors met pupils during the inspection. They demonstrated confidence as learners, and typically enjoyed positive interactions with one another and adults.

Ofsted 2018

Students’ outcomes are good. A significant proportion of students typically attain the highest grades, including at A* to B, at A Level.

Ofsted 2018

Leaders have taken positive steps to widen pupils’ participation in the range of cultural, creative and sporting activities that take place beyond lessons, including for the significant proportion of pupils who do not live locally.

Ofsted 2018

Leaders have reviewed the curriculum, so that the courses offered match pupils’ needs and interests and prepare them for their next steps in education or employment effectively.

Ofsted 2018

Students make good progress because of the typically strong standard of teaching.

Ofsted 2018