The Governing Board of Windmill Hill
The Governing Board of Windmill Hill work, in partnership with the Headteacher, to develop and drive the strategic vision of the school. It has statutory duties that include, agreeing the school budget and expenditure and ensuring key policies are in place. Governors do not get involved with the day to day running of the school. Their role is that of a “critical friend” asking challenging questions and providing support. In order to be effective, Governors are expected to attend training and read all the relevant documentation. There are 3 full Governing Body meetings a year as well as 3 sub-committee meetings. These sub-committees are Curriculum, Finance and Buildings and Grounds.
At Windmill Hill Primary School we have the following sub-committees:
Buildings & Grounds:
The main purpose is to discuss health and safety; sustainability and maintenance of the learning environment and ensuring accessibility to key areas of the school grounds.
Finance:
The key areas of focus are future planning and building; risk registration; staffing and recruitment; legal compliance and general financial responsibilities.
Curriculum:
The primary focus is to discuss and monitor all aspects of our school’s work on attainment and progress. Their goal is to ensure a broad and balanced curriculum that meets statutory requirements.
Chair of Governors Claire Pentin
Governors' Impact Statement 2022/2023
Another year has gone by and the Governors and staff continue to work though some very challenging times. These challenging times not only affect the school but also you, as parents and a community. The Covid pandemic is still being felt and as we head towards the winter. We continue to be vigilant and ensure we continue to provide a safe environment for the children and staff at Windmill Hill Primary School.
The cost of living crisis is also a huge concern for your families and for the school but as ever, the school team continue to work hard to ensure that we get best value for all the services we procure. The staff are also available to offer support to families who are struggling with the rise in bills and food costs. Please do not struggle alone; come and ask for support. Staff continue to work tirelessly throughout the school term and you will often find staff around school during the school holidays.
As a Governing Board, our aim is to continue to work alongside the staff to ensure these standards are met, and where possible, exceeded. We know that the school is well equipped to deal with the challenges ahead. The senior leadership team at school are robustly looking at tracking children and identifying gaps in children’s education, identifying strategies to support children and work with you as parents to support all children to reach their potential.
The Governing Board continue to attend online and face-to-face committee and Governing Board meetings. Governors scrutinise areas such as Safeguarding, financial management, staff recruitment and performance. We ensure that the budget balances in light of the rise in energy costs. We act as a critical friend where possible but always holding to account where needed. Safeguarding is at the heart of all the work the governors do; this includes scrutinising health and safety and the well-being of children and staff.
All Governors have received up-to-date comprehensive training to ensure confidence to cope with any issues that should arise. I am proud to say that I am part of the Windmill Hill Primary school community and wish all children, parents and staff all the very best for the next academic year.
Chair of Governors Claire Pentin
The list Governing Body members and all of the courses that have been attended are available below.
Governing Board Members
Name | Start Date | Term of Office | Governor Type | Responsibilities | Ethnicity |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ms Claire Pentin (Local Authority and Chair) | 19/06/2018 | 19th June 2022 to 18th June 2026 | LA Governor | Chair of Governors, Chair of Finance, Headteacher Performance Management, Safer Recruitment Trained, Safeguarding, Prevent, Online Safety, Looked After Children, Complaints Panel, Exclusions Panel, Disciplinary and Grievance Panel. | White British |
Mrs Irene Bramwell (Co-opted Governor and Vice Chair) | 30/10/2018 | 30th October 2018 to 29th October 2026 | Co-opted to the GB by core members | Vice Chair, Curriculum, Complaints Panel, Exclusions Panel, Disciplinary and Grievance Panel. | White British |
Miss Paula Newman (Headteacher) | 18/04/2016 | 18th April 2016 to Present | Headteacher | Head Teacher, Educational Visits, Safer Recruitment Trained, Curriculum, Buildings & Grounds, Finance, Complaints Panel, Exclusions Panel, Disciplinary and Grievance Panel. | White British |
Mrs Gill Gleave (Business Manager) | 10/03/2015 | 10th March 2015 to 9th March 2019 Became Associate Member from 7th March 2017 | Associate Member | Safer Recruitment Trained | White British |
Mr Tom East (Teacher) | 06/03/2018 | 6th March 2022 to 5th March 2026 | Staff Governor elected by Staff | Chair of SEN, Curriculum, Complaints Panel, Exclusions Panel, Disciplinary and Grievance Panel. | White British |
Mrs Su Sinha (Parent Governor) | 19/10/2021 | 19th October 2021 to 18th October 2025 | Parent Governor elected by Parents | Buildings & Grounds, Complaints Panel, Exclusions Panel, Disciplinary and Grievance Panel. | Asian Indian |
Mrs Gaynor Layton (Parent Governor) | 21/03/2023 | 21st March 2023 to 20th March 2027 | Parent Governor elected by Parents | White British | |
Mr Dan Ellis (Co-opted Governor) | 07/03/2017 | 7th March 2021 to 7th March 2025 | Co-opted to the GB by core members | Chair of Buildings & Grounds, Staff Dismissal, Pupil Discipline, Headteacher Performance Management, Complaints Panel, Exclusions Panel, Disciplinary and Grievance Panel. | White British |
Mr Ged Murphy (Co-opted Governor) | 04/11/2020 | 4th November 2020 to 3rd November 2024 | Co-opted to the GB by core members | Curriculum, Pupil Premium, Sports Premium, Complaints Panel, Exclusions Panel, Disciplinary and Grievance Panel. | White British |
Mr Mike Soetendal | 12/01/2017 | 12/01/2022 to 11/01/2026 Resigned 17th Oct 2022 | Parent Governor elected by Parents | --- | |
Mr Jon Thain | 29/11/2016 | 29/11/2016 to 28/11/2020 Resigned 28th Nov 2020 | Parent Governor elected by Parents | --- | |
Mr Mike Shepherd | 13/11/2012 | 10/03/2015 to 23/10/2019 Resigned 23rd Oct 2019 | Co-opted to the GB by core members | --- | |
Mrs Angela Askwith | 07/03/2017 | 31/10/2017 to 30/11/2018 Resigned 30th Nov 2018 | Co-opted to the GB by core members | --- | |
Cllr David Cargill | 01/01/2010 | 01/01/2014 to 31/12/2017 Resigned 31st Dec 2017 | Local Authority | --- | |
Mr Steve Mowat | 04/03/2004 | 10/03/2015 to 09/03/2019 Resigned 31st Oct 2017 | Co-opted to the GB by core members | --- | |
Mrs Michelle Bland | 16/10/2013 | 16/10/2013 to 15/10/2017 Resigned 4th Jan 2017 | Parent Governor elected by Parents | --- |
Name | Ms Claire Pentin (Local Authority and Chair) |
Start Date | 19/06/2018 |
Term of Office | 19/06/2022 to 18/06/2026 |
Governor Type | LA Governor |
Responsibilities | Chair of Governors Chair of Finance, Headteacher Performance Management, Safer Recruitment Trained, Safeguarding, Prevent, Online Safety, Looked After Children, Complaints Panel, Exclusions Panel, Disciplinary and Grievance Panel. |
Name | Mrs Irene Bramwell (Co-opted Governor and Vice Chair) |
Start Date | 30/10/2018 |
Term of Office | 30/10/2018 to 29/10/2022 |
Governor Type | Co-opted to the GB by core members |
Responsibilities | Vice Chair, Curriculum, Complaints Panel, Exclusions Panel, Disciplinary and Grievance Panel. |
Name | Miss Paula Newman (Headteacher) |
Start Date | 18/04/2016 |
Term of Office | 18/04/2016 to Present |
Governor Type | Headteacher |
Responsibilities | Head Teacher, Educational Visits, Safer Recruitment Trained, Curriculum, Buildings & Grounds, Finance, Complaints Panel, Exclusions Panel, Disciplinary and Grievance Panel. |
Name | Mrs Gill Gleave (Business Manager) |
Start Date | 10/03/2015 |
Term of Office | 10/03/2015 to 09/03/2019 Became Associate Member from 07/03/2017 |
Governor Type | Associate Member |
Responsibilities | Safer Recruitment Trained. |
Name | Mr Tom East (Teacher) |
Start Date | 06/03/2018 |
Term of Office | 06/03/2022 to 05/03/2026 |
Governor Type | Staff Governor elected by staff |
Responsibilities | Chair of SEN, Curriculum, Complaints Panel, Exclusions Panel, Disciplinary and Grievance Panel. |
Name | Mrs Su Sinha (Parent Governor) |
Start Date | 19/10/2021 |
Term of Office | 19/10/2021 to 18/10/2025 |
Governor Type | Parent Governor elected by parents |
Responsibilities | Buildings & Grounds Complaints Panel Exclusions Panel Disciplinary and Grievance Panel |
Name | Mrs Gaynor Layton (Parent Governor) |
Start Date | 21/03/2023 |
Term of Office | 21/03/2023 to 20/03/2027 |
Governor Type | Parent Governor elected by parents |
Responsibilities | |
Name | Mr Dan Ellis (Co-opted Governor) |
Start Date | 07/03/2017 |
Term of Office | 07/03/2021 to 06/03/2025 |
Governor Type | Co-opted to the GB by core members |
Responsibilities | Chair of Buildings & Grounds, Staff Dismissal, Pupil Discipline, Headteacher Performance Management, Complaints Panel, Exclusions Panel, Disciplinary and Grievance Panel. |
Name | Mr Ged Murphy (Co-opted Governor) |
Start Date | 03/11/2020 |
Term of Office | 3/11/2020 to 2/11/2024 |
Governor Type | Co-opted to the GB by core members |
Responsibilities | Curriculum, Pupil Premium, Sports Premium, Complaints Panel, Exclusions Panel, Disciplinary and Grievance Panel. |
Name | Mr M Soetendal |
Start Date | 12/01/2017 |
Term of Office | 12/01/2022 tp 11/01/2026 Resigned 17th Oct 2022 |
Governor Type | Parent Governor |
Responsibilities | --- |
Name | Mr Jon Thain |
Start Date | 29/11/2016 |
Term of Office | 29/11/2016 to 28/11/2020 Resigned 28th Nov 2020 |
Governor Type | Parent Governor elected by parents |
Responsibilities | --- |
Name | Mr Mike Shepherd |
Start Date | 13/11/2012 |
Term of Office | 10/03/2015 to 23/10/2019 Resigned 23rd Oct 2019 |
Governor Type | Co-opted to the GB by core members |
Responsibilities | --- |
Name | Angela Askwith |
Start Date | 07/03/2017 |
Term of Office | 31/10/2017 to 30/11/2018 Resigned 30th Nov 2018 |
Governor Type | Co-opted to the GB by core members |
Responsibilities | --- |
Name | Cllr David Cargill |
Start Date | 01/01/2010 |
Term of Office | 01/01/2014 to 31/12/2017 Resigned 31st Dec 2017 |
Governor Type | Local Authority |
Responsibilities | --- |
Name | Steve Mowat |
Start Date | 04/03/2004 |
Term of Office | 10/03/2015 to 09/03/2019 Resigned 31st Oct 2017 |
Governor Type | Co-opted to the GB by core members |
Responsibilities | --- |
Name | Miss Michelle Bland |
Start Date | 16/10/2013 |
Term of Office | 16/10/2013 to 15/10/2017 Resigned 4th Jan 2017 |
Governor Type | Parent Governor Elected by Parents |
Responsibilities | --- |
Register of Interests
Name | Relevant Business Interest | Other Educational Establishments Governed | School Relationships (With Staff or Governors) |
---|---|---|---|
Ms Claire Pentin (Local Authority and Chair) | --- | --- | --- |
Mrs Irene Bramwell (Co-opted Governor and Vice Chair) | Local Councillor | --- | --- |
Miss Paula Newman (Headteacher) | --- | --- | Cousin of Mr D Stoddart (Teacher) |
Mrs Gill Gleave (Business Manager) | --- | --- | --- |
Mr Tom East (Teacher) | --- | --- | --- |
Mrs Su Sinha (Parent Governor) | --- | --- | Secretary of Friends of Windmill Hill |
Mrs Gaynor Layton (Parent Governor) | --- | --- | --- |
Mr Dan Ellis (Co-opted Governor) | --- | --- | --- |
Mr Ged Murphy (Co-opted Governor) | G&M Murphy Consulting | --- | --- |
Name | Ms Claire Pentin (Local Authority and Chair) |
Relevant Business Interest | --- |
Other Educational Establishments Governed | --- |
School Relationships (With Staff or Governors) | --- |
Name | Mrs Irene Bramwell (Co-opted Governor and Vice Chair) |
Relevant Business Interest | Local Councillor |
Other Educational Establishments Governed | --- |
School Relationships (with Staff or Governors) | --- |
Name | Miss Paula Newman (Headteacher) |
Relevant Business Interest | --- |
Other Educational Establishments Governed | --- |
School Relationships (With Staff or Governors) | Cousin of Mr D Stoddart (Teacher) |
Name | Mrs Gill Gleave (Business Manager) |
Relevant Business Interest | --- |
Other Educational Establishments Governed | --- |
School Relationships (With Staff or Governors) | --- |
Name | Mr Tom East (Teacher) |
Relevant Business Interest | --- |
Other Educational Establishments Governed | --- |
School Relationships (With Staff or Governors) | --- |
Name | Mrs Gaynor Layton (Parent Governor) |
Relevant Business Interest | --- |
Other Educational Establishments Governed | --- |
School Relationships (With Staff or Governors) | --- |
Name | Mrs Su Sinha (Parent Governor) |
Relevant Business Interest | --- |
Other Educational Establishments Governed | --- |
School Relationships (With Staff or Governors) | Secretary of Friends of Windmill Hill |
Name | Mr Dan Ellis (Co-opted Governor) |
Relevant Business Interest | --- |
Other Educational Establishments Governed | --- |
School Relationships (With Staff or Governors) | --- |
Name | Mr Ged Murphy (Co-opted Governor) |
Relevant Business Interest | G&M Murphy Consulting |
Other Educational Establishments Governed | --- |
School Relationships (With Staff or Governors) | --- |
Governor Meeting Attendance 2022/2023
Date of Meeting | Type of Meeting | Governors Present | APOLOGIES RECEIVED | APOLOGIES NOT RECEIVED |
---|---|---|---|---|
18/10/22 | Full Governing Body | P Newman T East I Bramwell G Gleave G Murphy C Pentin Su Sinha J Astall (Clerk) | M Soetendal D Ellis | --- |
21/11/22 | Finance Committee | P Newman Gill Gleave D Ellis C Pentin | --- | --- |
7/12/22 | Buildings & Grounds Committee | P Newman D Ellis S Sinha I Lomas | --- | --- |
13/12/22 | Curriculum Committee | P Newman T East G Murphy | --- | --- |
13/03/23 | Curriculum Committee | P Newman T East G Murphy I Bramwell | --- | --- |
15/03/23 | Finance Committee | P Newman C Pentin G Gleave | --- | --- |
17/03/23 | Buildings & Grounds Committee | P Newman D Ellis S Sinha | --- | --- |
21/03/23 | Full Governing Body | A McCoy D Stoddart T East G Gleave G Murphy C Pentin S Sinha G Layton J Astall (Clerk) | P Newman I Bramwell | --- |
18/10/22 | Full Governing Body |
Governors Present | P Newman T East I Bramwell G Gleave G Murphy C Pentin Su Sinha J Astall (Clerk) |
Apologies | M Soetendal, D Ellis |
21/11/22 | Finance Committee |
Governors Present | P Newman G Gleave D Ellis C Pentin |
Apologies | --- |
7/12/22 | Buildings & Grounds Committee |
Governors Present | P Newman S Sinha D Ellis I Lomas |
Apologies | --- |
13/12/22 | Curriculum Committee |
Governors Present | P Newman T East G Murphy |
Apologies | --- |
13/03/23 | Curriculum Committee |
Governors Present | P Newman G Murphy T East I Bramwell |
Apologies | --- |
15/03/23 | Finance Committee |
Governors Present | P Newman C Pentin G Gleave |
Apologies | --- |
17/03/23 | Buildings & Grounds Committee |
Governors Present | P Newman D Ellis S Sinha |
Apologies | --- |
21/03/23 | Full Governing Body |
Governors Present | A McCoy D Stoddart C Pentin T East D Ellis G Murphy S Sinha G Layton G Gleave J Astall (Clerk) |
Apologies | P Newman I Bramwell |
Governor Training 2022/2023
Date of Training | Type of Training | Governors Present | Apologies Received | Apologies Not Received |
03/10/2022 | Basic Awareness in Safeguarding Training | P Newman I Bramwell G Gleave | T East S Sinha C Pentin | M Soetendal G Murphy D Ellis |
6/10/22 | Halton Learning Alliance | P Newman I Bramwell | --- | --- |
18/11/22 | Governors Briefing | C Pentin | --- | --- |
13/12/22 | Safeguarding for Governors | P Newman I Bramwell T East D Ellis G Murphy S Sinha | C Pentin | --- |
15/03/23 | Preparing for Ofsted | S Sinha | --- | --- |
21/03/23 | Three Year Strategic Plan | C Pentin G Murphy I Bramwell T East D Ellis S Sinha G Layton | P Newman | --- |
02/05/23 | Governors Briefing | C Pentin | --- | --- |