Welcome to the Board of Governors for the Ashlands and Misterton Federation
Ellie Kading – Chair of Governors
Responsibilities: Finance, Health & Safety, Numeracy and Personnel
My son Joe attends Misterton’s federated school, Ashlands. I’ve worked for multinational companies for nearly 20 years which have given me a whole variety of skills ranging from negotiation to policy making and adhering to contracts. I have run my own business for several years which has given me a good understanding of finance. All my roles have enabled me to develop good communication skills and it is here I believe I will be of most use. I believe parents have a wealth of knowledge which will be of huge value to Ashlands and this role will enable me to feedback parents thoughts and concerns to the board.
Niki Clarke – Parent Governor
My son, Christopher, is in Oak Class here at Misterton. His presence in the school gives me a huge passion for the school and federation, and seeing the schools thrive and support each other is a real joy. When my son started in reception, I began volunteering to listen to readers once a week, now I volunteer three or four days a week and love helping where ever I can. As a Parent Governor I feel I can connect with other parents, pupils and teaching staff alike to ensure a positive learning environment.
Abi Cox – Parent Governor
I have one son attends Misterton’s federated school, Ashlands. My husband grew up locally and I have now lived here for 15 years and I’m proud to call Crewkerne home. I come from a family of teachers and learning professionals, and my mother in law was a teacher for many years in Merriott. I have worked for multinational Companies in HR for 20 years and now work at a Global Technology Company in Weymouth. I will bring knowledge, skills and experiences from HR and business into the educational field to continue the work that has been started.
Elisabeth Clemow – Co-opted Governor
Responsibilities: SEND and EYFS
I am a mother of 2 children; my son previously attended Ashlands and my daughter is still there. As such, I have a strong interest in the schools and their continuing success and am a member of the Ashlands PTSA (Parent, Teacher and Staff Association). As a Company Director of a small local company I am involved in all aspects of its day-to-day running and management. Previously, I was a languages teacher at secondary level which has given me a good understanding of the education system
Liz Popham – Co-opted Governor
Responsibilities: Safeguarding, On-line Safety and Staff well being
I have one son who started at Ashlands in 2017 and I therefore have a keen interest in supporting the school to succeed. I am pleased to have been accepted as an Associate Governor. I have lived in Crewkerne for over 15 years and so I have a good understanding of local issues and an awareness of the current pressures on the education system. I am currently setting up as an Independent Weight Loss Consultant with Cambridge Weight Plan, reflecting my strengths helping people make positive changes in their lives. Previously I was a Child Protection Social Worker for Somerset County Council for 15 years and I am bringing a wealth of knowledge, experience and skill to my appointment.
Kay Dawson – Misterton Staff Governor
Responsibilities: Finance, Health & Safety and Assessment
I am the senior teacher at Misterton First School where I teach in Oak Class which is a mixed Reception/Year 1/Year 2 class. Since joining the Federation in September 2016 I have enjoyed working with both the children and staff. I work closely with the teachers at Ashlands and feel we are a strong team. I am passionate about Special Educational Needs and in my role as SENCo I endeavour to do my best, alongside the class teacher, to ensure all children learn to be the best they can be. As staff governor I feel I will be able to contribute to the effective running of the school and ensure we provide an exciting, engaging and enriched curriculum for all our children.
Lucy Gosden – Ashlands Staff Governor
Responsibilities: Sub groups (pupil Premium, English as an additional language and LAC) and attendance
I have worked as a class teacher at Ashlands Church of England First School since 2015 and have loved the welcoming atmosphere here. It is a wonderful school in which to work with fabulous staff and students. I am looking forward to using my time as a Staff Governor to ensure that effective communication is at the heart of the school which will help us deliver the best education possible to the students.
Leanne Haldane – Clerk to the Governors
Governance at The Crewkerne and Misterton Federation
The Governor’s role at Ashlands CofE First School, & Misterton CofE First School.
“The role of the Governor is largely a thinking and questioning role, not a doing role.”
As a member of the largest voluntary body in the UK school governors have three core functions in order to provide the highest standards of education:
- Ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction
- Holding the Headteacher to account for the educational performance of the school(s) and its pupils
- Overseeing the financial performance of the school(s) and ensuring financial probity
A Governor’s role is to advise and support the Headteacher and other members of the Senior Leadership Team and act as a ‘critical friend’.
The Full Board of Governors of the Federation of Crewkerne & Misterton 2019-20
| Name of Governor | Category of Governor | Appointed Body | Term of Office | Details of position of Responsibility | SDP
Priority |
Any Declared Business Interests |
| Nicola Ball | Headteacher | Elected | Start April 2019 – 4 Years | Headteacher | All | NONE |
| Vacancy | LA | LA | Literacy inc data/ attainment
Pupil Premium |
FDP 1 | NONE | |
| Eleanor (Ellie) Kading | Chair – Foundation | Diocese | Started May 2019 – 4 Years | Finance
Personnel SIAMS |
FDP 1/2 | Perfectly Formed Songs Ltd |
| Vacancy | Ex-Officio | Diocese | Ethos in Diocesan Church Schools/ Personnel | FDP 3 | ||
| Kay Dawson | Staff | Board | Started Oct 17 – 4 Years | Health & Safety
PSHE |
FDP 2 | C-Thru Cleaning (Spouse Business) |
| Lucy Gosden | Staff (Co-opted) | Board | Started March 1018 – 4 Years | Attendance
EYFS – inc data and attendance |
FDP 1 | NONE |
| Liz Popham | Co-opted | Board | Started Oct 2017 – 4 Years | Safeguarding inc EVC and On line Safety & Looked after children
Staff well being |
FDP 3 | Weight Loss Consultant – The 1:1 Diet by Cambridge Weight Plan
|
| Elizabeth Clemow | Co-opted (Vice – Chair – provisional) | Board | Started May 2019 – 4 Years | SEND
Numeracy –inc data /attainment |
FDP 1/2 | Printasleeve Ltd |
| Niki Clarke | Parent (Misterton) | Board | Started June 2019 – 4 years | Ethos in a Diocesan Church (SIAMS)/Finance & Funding. | FDP 1/2 | |
| Abigail Cox | Parent (Ashlands) | Board | Started June 2019 – 4 years | Personnel
Literacy inc data/attainment Curriculum Creative Learning |
FDP 1 | |
| Vacancy | Associate | Board | ||||
| Vacancy | Associate | Board |
* Associate Governors will be recruited to fill any skill gaps that the GB may have.
Pay Committee : EK, LP, EC
Why become a Governor?
If you have an interest in helping the federation of schools become the best schools possible in terms of providing education from EYFS to Year 4, then offering your services as a Governor will allow you to contribute directly to this end.
If you had a good experience of education you may be driven by wanting to contribute to a similar experience for today’s young people; equally if your experience was less than good you may wish to contribute to improve the educational experience of students today.
If you are interested in the role as a Governor of the Schools, please contact us using one of the methods below.
It is, if course, not always possible to offer a post to volunteers if particular skill set or experience already exist within the Board and other subject experience is missing.
CONTACT email: mistertonfirstschool@educ.somerset.gov.uk adding ‘GOVERNOR-INFORMATION’ in the subject line.
There are other committees that meet as necessary to consider issues such as parent complaints, staff dismissal, pupil discipline and the Headteacher’s performance management. From time to time working parties are formed for specific, time limited work.
On rare occasions when parents feel they have a complaint that cannot be resolved within the School, there are procedures in place to ask for Governors’ assistance. This is outlined in the Complaints Policy.
All Governors are contactable via the Misterton School Office: office@mistertonfirst.somerset.sch.uk and by post.
Links to Key Governor Documents here
Governor Attendance for 2019-2020 Academic Year
What Governing Bodies should expect from School Leaders
Governor Website: http://www.nga.org.uk/Home.aspx
SLP Link to Governor Section: https://slp.somerset.org.uk/sites/governorservices/SitePages/Home.aspx