Governors are one of the largest volunteer forces in the country and have an important part to play in raising school standards. The role of the governing body is absolutely key to the effectiveness of a school.
At St Mary’s we are delighted to have a group of governors from a range of different experiences and backgrounds.
The Role of a Governor
The instrument of government:
Our Governing body works very closely with the Headteacher and the whole school community to make sure that the school is always improving.
They can be contacted via the school office.
Any correspondence to a governor should be addressed c/o the St Mary’s C/E Primary School and will be passed on.
Governing Body Responsibilities
The Governors are responsible for the school and all that happens in it. They entrust the day to day running of the School to the Headteacher and staff.
The Governors are responsible for:
- the maintenance of the building,
- the school finances, they decide how the school budget is spent,
- how the school is run,
- the delivery of the National Curriculum,
- the standard of behaviour in the school,
- interviewing and selecting staff.
The Governing Body has legal duties, powers and responsibilities, which it must carry out. It can only act and make decisions as a body and not as individuals. The full Governing Body has at least one meeting each term as well as several sub committees.
Who are the Governors at St Mary’s?
The school is governed by a body of 9 governors, some of whom are elected, and others appointed. The Governing Body has a significant role in making strategic decisions, particularly on finance, and in holding the school to account through its challenge to the Headteacher.
The Governors include parents, staff and people from the local community and the church.
The Governing body at St Mary’s meets once a term.
| Governor Body Membership 2022/23 |
| Eric Sorensen (Chair) |
Islington Deanery Synod Foundation Governor |
| Tim Dean (Vice Chair) |
LDBS Foundation Governor |
| Genevieve Prayag |
Staff Governor |
| Veronica Coulson |
PCC Foundation Governor |
Rev James Hughesdon
|
Ex-Officio Foundation Governor |
Rebecca Shilling
|
PCC Foundation Governor |
Dr Maria Koumi-Elia
|
Parent Governor |
Priya Lees
|
Parent Governor |
| Natalia Wood |
Staff Governor |
The Governors for St Mary’s Church of England Primary School also attend meetings of the governing body and committees.
Subcommittees
The governing body has committees and working groups. There are three subcommittees that meet more often. These are:
Resources: looks after the budget, staffing and premises.
Standards and Curriculum: looks at what the children are learning and how well they are doing.
Children, Family and Community: looks at how the school works with parents and the wider local community.
| Committee and Working Groups |
| Resources Committee |
Genevieve Prayag, Eric Sorenson (chair of committee), Rebecca Shilling, Rev James Hughesdon
|
| Standards and Curriculum Committee |
Genevieve Prayag, Eric Sorensen, Tim Dean (chair of committee), Veronica Coulson, Priya Lees, Natalia Wood
|
| Children, Family and Community Committee |
Genevieve Prayag, Eric Sorensen, Tim Dean, Veronica Coulson (chair of committee), Rev James Hughesdon, Dr Maria Koumi-Elia, Rebecca Shilling
|
| Admissions Committee |
Eric Sorensen, Veronica Coulson
|
| Appeals, Discipline, Complaints Committee |
Eric Sorensen, Tim Dean and any eligible governors to be drawn from a pool.
|
| Performance Management Committee |
Eric Sorenson and Tim Dean
|
Key Roles and Declaration of Interest
Chair of Governors: Eric Sorensen
Vice Chair of Governors: Tim Dean
Full capacity of The Governing body of St Mary’s Church of England Primary School: 14 (See Instrument of Government)
Current Number of Governors (September 2022): 8
| Governor Key Roles and Declaration of Interest |
| Governor |
Term Start |
Term End |
Declaration of Business or Pecuniary Interests |
|
Islington Deanery Foundation
Eric Sorensen (Chair) |
6th November 2022 |
5th November 2026 |
Governor at City of London Academy Islington |
|
Foundation Ex-Officio
Rev James Hughesdon |
31st January
2021 |
31st January
2025 |
None |
|
LDBS Foundation
Tim Dean (Vice Chair) |
15th September 2020 |
14th September 2024 |
None |
|
Authority
|
Vacancy |
Vacancy |
Vacancy |
|
Headteacher
Genevieve Prayag |
1st September 2011 |
Ex-officio |
None |
|
Staff
Natalia Wood |
10th November 2022 |
9th November 2026 |
None |
|
PCC Foundation
Veronica Coulson |
19th April 2021 |
18th April 2025 |
None |
|
PCC Foundation
Rebecca Shilling |
19th April 2021 |
18th April 2025 |
None |
|
Parent Foundation Governor
Dr Maria Koumi-Elia |
23rd July 2021 |
22nd July 2025 |
None |
|
Parent Foundation Governor
Mrs Priya Lees |
23rd September 2021 |
22nd September 2025 |
None |
| Islington Deanery Synod Foundation |
Vacancy |
Vacancy |
Vacancy |
| Islington Deanery Synod Foundation |
Vacancy |
Vacancy |
Vacancy |
| LDBS Foundation |
Vacancy |
Vacancy |
Vacancy |
Governor Information
Instrument of Government
