Governors

Welcome to the ‘Governing Body’ section of the website. This is where you can find out more about school governance; the role of school’s governors, and the work that we do.

Recognising its historic foundation, the school will preserve and develop its religious character in accordance with the principles of the Church of England, The Methodist Church and in partnership with the Churches at parish and diocesan level.

Trinity School aims to serve its community by providing an education of the highest quality within the context of Christian belief and practice.  It encourages an understanding of the meaning and significance of faith, and promotes Christian values through the experience it offers to all its pupils.

Purpose

The purpose of the school governing body is to ensure high standards of educational achievement. Its core functions are:

• Maintaining clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction: setting a long term vision and agreeing strategic priorities, aims and objectives for the school.
• Holding the Headteacher to account: questioning, supporting and strengthening the school leadership (but with no direct involvement in operational matters).
• Overseeing financial performance: making sure the school’s money is well spent and ensuring that resources are allocated in line with strategic priorities.

Each governor has a specific role within the work of the school. The Governing Body works as a team and acts with integrity, objectivity and honesty, in the best interests of the children in our school.  The Headteacher and the Senior Leadership Team run the school on a day to day basis, but the governors provide support, assistance and challenge, acting as a "critical friend" to ensure that the school continues to maintain and improve high standards in everything it does

As a Christian school, the governors have an overriding responsibility to remain focused on the mission of the school to provide the best possible Christian education for every pupil.

Structure

The full Governing Body operates as one committee which has six full meetings each year. There are also several smaller committees with responsibility for carrying out specific duties including appraisal, pay progression, appeals, complaints and exclusions.

2023 – 2024 Membership

• Rev. C. Spittle, Chair (Foundation Governor)
• Rev. M. Tindsley (Foundation Governor)
• Mr G. Parker (Co-opted Governor)
• Mrs E. Curran (Parent Governor)
• Mrs J. Kokosi (Staff Governor)
• Dr K Baxter (Parent Governor)
• Mrs H. Winstanley (Acting Headteacher)
• Mr J. Ferguson (Foundation Governor)
• Mrs E. Kenyon (Foundation Governor)
• Mrs H. Lucas (Co-opted Governor)
• Miss H. Christopher (Local Authority Governor from 09/24)
• Vacancy (Parent Governor)

Additional Responsibilities

The governing body is responsible for ensuring that our curriculum fully meets the needs of the children in school and that all children, regardless of ability or background, are given the chance to reach their academic potential. The governing body is responsible for ensuring that the school follows the National and School Curriculum; that academic and behaviour standards are met and improved; that target setting, mentoring, monitoring and evaluation takes place; that policies are developed and reviewed and that the special educational needs of children are met.

The governing body also reviews and agree the school’s proposals for the budget, reviews the school fund account and keeps track of expenditure.  They oversee the use of premises, grounds and extended school facilities which may include - caretaking, cleaning, decorating and maintenance. The governing body may monitor efficient use of utilities such as water, electricity or gas and maintain an overview of costs and lettings policy of premises.  Health and safety also falls within this remit. The committee is also concerned with overseeing all aspects of staffing in the school.

The governing body receives regular training to ensure they have a full and accurate understanding of mandatory policies and national guidance concerning safeguarding. The governing body:

• Reviews and updates policies and procedures.
• Ensures all school policies consider any and all potential safeguarding issues including contextual challenges.
• Monitors the effectiveness of safeguarding within school. 

Membership

There are 5 types of 'governor' at Trinity School:

1. Foundation Governor. Foundation governors are nominated by St. Paul's Church and Trinity Methodist Church. They have an especial care for the school’s Christian character.
2. Parent Governor. Parent governors are elected by other parents. A parent governor is a representative, and not a delegate of parents.
3. Co-opted Governor. Co-opted governors are appointed by the governing body. They are people who in the opinion of the governing body have the skills required to contribute to the effective governance and success of the school.
4. Local Authority (LA) Governor. The local authority can nominate individuals with specific skills and knowledge to become LA governors on school Governing Body.
5. Staff Governor. Staff governors are members of school staff who are elected by other staff members to be a part of the Governing Body.

All governors have equal status, however they are appointed.

Governor Attendance 2023 - 2024

Files to Download

Governor Attendance 2022 - 2023

Governor Attendance 2021 - 2022 Governor Interests 2023 - 2024