Governors
Welcome to Homer First School and Nursery Governors
What do school governors do?
The role of the governing board is to promote high standards of achievement to ensure every child at the school fulfils his/her potential. It does this by:
- Setting the strategic direction of the school and contribute to the school’s improvement plan
- Holding the headteacher to account for the educational performance of the school
- Overseeing the financial performance of the school and making sure it is money well spent.
- Monitoring that the school fulfils its statutory obligations, e.g. in terms of safeguarding, special educational needs, equality and diversity, financial reporting, health & safety etc.
- Support the provision for a rounded education for all pupils.
Governors bring a broad range of knowledge and professional expertise, as well as differing experience and perspective, to the table to enable the board to make well-researched and reasoned decisions in the best interests of the pupils at the school. There are no specific qualifications or experience required to be a school governor; however, it is important that governors understand the importance of the governance role and are therefore are committed to preparing well for meetings and attending governor trainings to support their personal development. Meetings are held regularly and are supported by the Clerk to Governors.
Vision Statement
Our vision is to provide a safe, caring and stimulating environment where each child will recognise and achieve their full potential, so that they can make their best contribution to society.
The Governing Body Instrument of Governance to consist of:
3 x Parent Governors | 1 x Local Authority Governor (LA) | 2 x Staff Governors | 2 x Co-Opted Governors |
Governors are normally appointed for a 4-year term. Details of all the Governors and their appointed dates are detailed in table below. Each Governor takes a lead on an area of the school development and may also be responsible to evaluate progress of subject development areas. | |||
Meeting | When and Time | Who attends | Documents for meetings are sent out 7 days in advance. |
Governor meetings are held on Friday mornings starting at 08.15. The rotation is Finance, Curriculum and Full Governing Body. There are between 12 and 14 meetings per academic school year. | |||
In addition, Associate Governors can be appointed by the governing board for between one and four years and may bring with them specific areas of expertise and experience. Associate Governors have no voting rights on Full Governing Body meetings, but may vote on any committees they are appointed to.
If you feel that you would like to contribute in this way, then please contact the Clerk to Governors for more details.
There are currently 2 governors who have declared a Business Interest.
Name |
| Governor responsibilities | Term | Category |
Ashley Cox-Higgins (Chair) | ACH | Finance | 28.11.2022 – 28.11.2026 | Co-Opted Governor |
Clive Haines (Chair) | CH | Curriculum & Finance | 14.9.2015 – 14.9.2022 | LA Governor |
Elaine Young | EY | Deputy Headteacher | 20.4.2012 - ongoing | Deputy Headteacher (non voting) |
Gemma Sharma | GS | Headteacher | 20.4.2012 - ongoing | Ex-officio as Headteacher |
Karin Taylor |
| Clerk | 01/01/2019 - ongoing | Clerk |
Matt Bowley (Vice Chair) | BM | Finance | 28.4.2023 – 28.4.2027 | Parent Governor (Elected) |
Sam Lawrence | SL | Staff | 18.6.2021 – 18.6.2025 | Staff governor (Elected) |
Vicky Brand | VB | Curriculum | 8.11.2024 – 8.11.2028 | Co-Opted Governor |
Vacancy |
|
|
| Parent Governor |
Governors who have moved on
Name | Category | Start date | Leaving date | Reason |
Isobel Gould | Parent Governor (Elected) | 27.5.2022 | 1.9.2023 | Work Committments |
Jacqui Doling | Appointed by Local Authority | 18.6.2020 | 31.7.2023 | End of Term |
Vicky Brand | Co-Headteacher | 20.04.2012 | 20.4.2024 | End of Term |
Elly Wrighton | Parent Governor | 8.12.2023 | 6.11.2024 | Work Commitments |
Dave Topping | Parent Governor | 6.7.2021 | 31.12.2024 | Non attendance |
2022 – 2023 Governor Meeting Attendance | |||||||||
Governor | JD | ACH | DT | IG | VB | GS | SL | RE | LS |
8.10.2021 | Meeting Cancelled due to OFSTED Inspection | ||||||||
19.11.2021 | X | X | P |
| P | P | P | P | P |
3.12.2021 | X | P | X |
| P | P | P | P | P |
21.1.2022 | P | P | P |
| P | P | P |
| P |
25.3.2022 | P | P | X |
| P | X | P |
| P |
29.4.2022 | P | P | P |
| P | P | P |
| P |
13.5.2022 | P | P | X |
| P | P | P |
| P |
26.6.2022 | P | P | P | P | P | P | P |
| P |
1.7.2022 | Meeting cancelled | ||||||||
2023 – 2024 Governor Meeting Attendance | ||||||||
DATE | CH | ACH | DT | MB | EW | SL | GS | VB |
15.9.2023 | P | P | P | P |
| P | P | P |
13.10.2023 | P | P |
| P |
|
| P | P |
24.11.2023 | P | P | P | P |
| P | P | P |
8.12.2023 | P | P |
| P |
| P | P | P |
10.1.2024 |
| P |
| P |
|
| P | P |
9.2.2024 | P | P | P | P |
| P | P | P |
8.3.2024 | P | P |
| P | P | P | P | P |
26.4.2024 | P | P |
| P |
|
| P | P |
10.5.2024 | P | P | P | P | P | P | P | P |
28.6.2024 |
| P | P | P | P | P | P | P |
12.7.2024 |
| P | P | P | P | P | P | P |
Our Governors
Ashley Cox-Higgins | Chair with links to Finance, Phonics |
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I have been a Parent Governor since November 2018. I am a Father of two children; one in Reception and another in Year 4. I have always had an interest in wanting to put something back into the community and I am excited to work with the team at Homer First School. I believe that all children should have the opportunity to enjoy and thrive in an environment that will enable them to achieve their full potential. As a Parent Governor, I hope to support the School in providing our children with the very best all round educational experience. Interests Golf, tennis and cycling in Windsor Great Park with the family. | ||
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Matt Bowley | Vice Chair Links to Finance, Maths, Computing and Website |
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My daughter is in KS2 at Homer, having joined in Reception and has found the school a positive environment which has helped her learn and develop. I believe that all children should receive the best possible education, in surroundings which support all individuals and abilities. As a parent governor, I am committed to working collaboratively with other governors and staff to make decisions that are in the best interest of the school and its students.
Outside of work I enjoy being in the outdoors, visiting the countryside and parks with my family, or cycling around the local area.
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Clive Haines
| Links to Safeguarding, |
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I have been a governor for many years within the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead. I also hold the position of Deputy Director of Education within RBWM. I currently train all governors in maintained schools and Academies and also have a wide skill set that enables me to hold the school to account for the pupils it serves. I am is passionate about all children being able to learn in a safe environment and being able to ensure they have all the tools they need to develop in their education. |
Vicky Brand
| Links to Curriculum |
I have been involved in Education for the past thirty years, more recently at Homer First School. Following my retirement, I am thrilled to still be involved as a Governor. Homer is a wonderful school with a strong nurturing and kind ethos due to the community of staff, parents and the fantastic children. I look forward to supporting the continuing growth and development of the education whilst maintaining the special qualities at Homer. |
If you would like any further information or would like to discussion becoming a governor please contact Mrs K. Taylor, Clerk to Governors karin.taylor@homerfirstschool.co.uk
If you would like any further information or would like to discussion becoming a governor please contact Mrs K. Taylor, Clerk to Governors karin.taylor@homerfirstschool.co.uk