Samuel Lucas JMI School

Our School

Governors

Samuel Lucas Governing Board

The Governing Board is part of the Leadership and Management of the school and works within the Department for Education and Local Authority guidelines and provides an independent view of the school. Governors set the vision and strategic direction and try to improve the school, ensuring that the aims and vision are implemented through long term development.

The Governing Board provides an oversight of the management and operation of the school, with the aim of improving the quality of education provided and raising standards. The Governing Board does not run the school on a day to day basis. The daily management of the school is the responsibility of the Headteacher and the other senior staff.

The Governing Board will usually meet between 4 and 5 times in each academic year. The meetings are usually held in the evening and last approximately two hours. The Governing Board has also established Committees to focus on different areas of the School. These Committees will tend to meet once or twice a term and again, usually meet in the evenings. The Committees are:

  • Resources Committee (Finance / Personnel / Premises)
  • School Improvement Committee

The Governing Board is appointed to:

  • Appoint the Headteacher and other senior staff
  • Help set the school’s vision, aims, plans and policies
  • Offer support and advice to the school
  • Act as a “critical friend”, challenging the school leadership where appropriate
  • Approve and monitor the school’s budget
  • Ensure the policies are appropriate and are implemented in the school
  • Visit the school to confirm policies are implemented and to understand the school better
  • Help to develop community links
  • Review pupil discipline
  • Focus on a safe and well-maintained learning environment

The Governing Board is not involved with:

  • Managing the day-to-day aspects of school life
  • Inspecting the school and its teaching and learning
  • Deciding on the way pupils are taught;
  • Determining whether a pupil should be excluded

Who is the Governing Board?

The Governing Board is made up of up to 12 members. There are 5 categories of members for a Community School: Parent; Staff; Community, Coopted and Local Authority. The Governing Board may also appoint an Associate Member.

A full list of the current Governors are as follows:

NAMEGOVERNOR ROLETERM OF OFFICEAPPOINTING BODYREGISTER OF BUSINESS / PECUNIARY INTERESTSREGISTER OF FINANCIAL INTERESTSRELATIONSHIP TO MEMBER OF STAFF OR THEIR RELATIVESGOVERNOR AT OTHER ESTABLISHMENT
Ben FullerChair / Co-optedFebruary 2023 - 2027Governing BoardBen is an employee of Herts for Learning Ltd. which supplies services to schools.NoneNoneNone
Helen BrindHeadteacher–NoneNoneNoneNone
Michael TaylorLA GovernorJune 2020 - 2024Governing BoardNoneNoneNoneHitchin Boys School
Nikki MarrCo-opted governorJuly 2023 - 2027Governing BoardManager of Play AloudNoneNoneThe Valley School
Brianna CyrusParent GovernorNovember 2020 - 2024Parent ElectionNoneNoneNoneNone
Phil EarlCo-optedNovember 2023 - 2027Governing BoardNoneNoneNoneNone
VacancyCo-opted
Michael KershawCo-opted GovernorJune 2022 - 2026Governing BoardNoneNoneNoneNone
VacancyParent Governor
Scott DaviesStaff GovernorFebruary 2024 - 2028Staff ElectionNoneNoneNoneNone
Rachel ChildsParent GovernorJuly 2023 - 2027Parent ElectionNoneNoneNoneNone
Kelly MassieAssociate GovernorFebruary 2023 - 2027Governing BoardNoneNoneMarried to Site ManagerNone
Alex YatesFGB ClerkGoverning BoardHerts for Learning EmployeeNoneNoneNone

Copies of the signed minutes for Governing Board meetings are available from the School upon request.

Governors’ Meeting Attendance Register

FULL GOVERNING BOARD
Autumn 2024Autumn 2 2024Spring 2025Summer 2025
Ben FullerAttended 23.09.2024Scheduled 12.12.2024Scheduled 20.03.2025Scheduled 10.07.2025
Helen BrindMaternity LeaveMaternity LeaveMaternity LeaveScheduled 10.07.2025
Paula Kinchin-SmithAttended 23.09.2024Scheduled 12.12.2024Scheduled 20.03.2025Scheduled 10.07.2025
Michael TaylorAttended 23.09.2024Scheduled 12.12.2024Scheduled 20.03.2025Scheduled 10.07.2025
Mike KershawApologies 23.09.2024Scheduled 12.12.2024Scheduled 20.03.2025Scheduled 10.07.2025
Phil EarlAttended 23.09.2024Scheduled 12.12.2024Scheduled 20.03.2025Scheduled 10.07.2025
Nikki MarrAttended 23.09.2024Scheduled 12.12.2024Scheduled 20.03.2025Scheduled 10.07.2025
Rachel ChildsAttended 23.09.2024Scheduled 12.12.2024Scheduled 20.03.2025Scheduled 10.07.2025
Brianna CyrusAttended 23.09.2024Scheduled 12.12.2024Scheduled 20.03.2025Scheduled 10.07.2025
Scott DaviesAttended 23.09.2024Scheduled 12.12.2024Scheduled 20.03.2025Scheduled 10.07.2025
Kelly MassieN/AScheduled 12.12.2024Scheduled 20.03.2025Scheduled 10.07.2025
RESOURCES COMMITTEE
Autumn 2024Spring 2025Summer 2025
Helen BrindScheduled 11.11.2024Scheduled 03.03.2025Scheduled 19.06.2025
Paula Kinchin-SmithScheduled 11.11.2024Scheduled 03.03.2025Scheduled 19.06.2025
Ben FullerScheduled 11.11.2024Scheduled 03.03.2025Scheduled 19.06.2025
Michael Taylor Scheduled 11.11.2024Scheduled 03.03.2025Scheduled 19.06.2025
Phil EarlScheduled 11.11.2024Scheduled 03.03.2025Scheduled 19.06.2025
Rachel Childs (Chair)Scheduled 11.11.2024Scheduled 03.03.2025Scheduled 19.06.2025
Kelly MassieScheduled 11.11.2024Scheduled 03.03.2025Scheduled 19.06.2025
CURRICULUM & STANDARDS COMMITTEE
Autumn 2024Spring 2025Summer 2025
Ben Fuller (Chair)Scheduled 14.10.2024Scheduled 03.02.2025Scheduled 08.05.2025
Helen BrindScheduled 14.10.2024Scheduled 03.02.2025Scheduled 08.05.2025
Paula Kinchin-SmithScheduled 14.10.2024Scheduled 03.02.2025Scheduled 08.05.2025
Michael KershawScheduled 14.10.2024Scheduled 03.02.2025Scheduled 08.05.2025
Scott DaviesScheduled 14.10.2024Scheduled 03.02.2025Scheduled 08.05.2025
Nikki MarrScheduled 14.10.2024Scheduled 03.02.2025Scheduled 08.05.2025
Brianna CyrusScheduled 14.10.2024Scheduled 03.02.2025Scheduled 08.05.2025

Becoming a Governor

School governors come from every walk of life and there is no requirement for you to have an educational background, indeed it is desirable to have a variety of skills and backgrounds on the Governing Board. The nature of the role is dependent on the individual school’s circumstances and legal requirements (e.g. its size, outcome of a recent Ofsted inspection etc) but will always contribute to the over-arching work of the governing body and link to the main focus of school improvement; thus ensuring the children and young people are able to achieve to the best of their ability, in a safe environment.

Samuel Lucas welcomes new Governors to join the team as this always brings a fresh perspective into the Governing Board.

So what would I have to do?

  • show commitment by attending meetings (full governing body and committee meetings)
  • attend training when needed
  • work as a member as part of a team without self-interest
  • make visits to the school during the school day so you can know our school
  • have the best interests of the school at heart

Is training available?

Yes.

A day’s ‘Governor Induction’ is run by the Hertfordshire County Council Governance Team and is recommended in the first 3 months of your new term of office. This will help you to understand more about the role of being a Governor and is usually run at the weekend. ‘Safeguarding Children for Governors’ training is also recommended in the first 6 months, as the welfare and safety of our children is paramount. This course normally takes 2-3 hours and is run regularly during the week in the evening.

When you become a Governor, the Chair of Governors or governor who oversees training will be able to help you book onto courses. Once your governor term is confirmed, you will also receive monthly emails with details of training courses on offer. At Samuel Lucas we encourage Governors to take any training that they feel they need.

How do I become a Governor?

If you are interested in becoming a governor and you are a parent of a child or a member of the wider community and would like to apply to join the Samuel Lucas governing body please contact the school directly regarding vacancies.

If you would like further detail or an informal discussion about becoming a Local Authority or Community governor in Hertfordshire, please (01438) 843082. Further information is also available on the Hertfordshire County Council website.

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Samuel Lucas JMI School

Gaping Lane, Hitchin, Hertfordshire. SG5 2JQ | Tel : 01462 456737 | admin@samlucas.herts.sch.uk | Headteacher : Miss Helen Brind