Governance
School Governors RoleAs Governors of West Street we are proud to play a part in ensuring the best possible education for all the children.
We are a dedicated team who share a real concern and interest in the life and work of the school.
Our responsibilities are wide and varied but above all we are here to ensure the very best provision at West Street.
We do this by:
- working closely with staff and the senior leadership team
- reviewing regularly the school improvement plan and the progress and attainment of the children
- monitoring teaching & learning; from maths and literacy to how well trips and visits are planned and conducted
- listening to the views of pupils, parents and staff
- being visible in school to provide help, support and ideas
If you would like to know more about our role or to give us your views of West Street please contact us through the school or come and have a chat. Most of us are in school on a daily basis. We also hold coffee mornings once a half term.
Governors Meeting Schedule 2019 – 2020
Term of Office:
01/01/2015 - 31/12/2018
Committees :
Full (Chair) - Curriculum (Chair) - S.E.C (Chair) - Resources (Vice Chair) - Head Teachers Appraisal - Pay
Specific Roles Held:
Chair of Governors - Safeguarding - Prevent - Maths - e-Safety
I have been a governor at West Street for the past 7 years and have been a member of the PTA for 10 years. I am currently Chair of Governors. My three sons all attended West Street and I have taken a keen interest in the school ever since. I work as a supervisor in Greggs and when I’m not working I enjoy running and spending time with my granddaughter.
Term of Office:
15/03/2015 - 14/03/2019
Committees :
Full (Vice Chair) - S.E.C (Vice Chair) - Resources (Chair) - Curriculum - Head Teachers Appraisal - Pay
Specific Roles Held:
Vice Chair of Governors - LASGB
I have been a Governor at West Street for about 10 years now. I am also a Local Waterside Councillor, I first became a Governor to try and make a difference to the education of our children who need so much encouragement to learn in the early years of KS 1 and KS 2. I have lived in Colne for the last 18 years. My Family was originally from Colne. I am also the Chairman of Trustees for the Waterside Millennium Green and an active member of Waterside Neighbourhood Action Group.
Term of Office:
31/08/2015 - 30/08/2019
Committees :
Full - Curriculum - S.E.C - Resources
I am extremely proud to be the head teacher at West Street. I am now in my 10th year here and love it every bit as much, if not more, than my first! The school has a real family feel created by everyone here; talented, committed and hardworking staff, supportive governors and most of all the families - great parents and our amazing pupils. I strongly believe that everyone has the right to the best start in life and one that meets their specific needs. It is with great pride I watch each individual child blossom as they move through West Street School.
Term of Office:
17/01/2017 - 16/01/2021
Committees :
Full - Curriculum - S.E.C
Specific Roles Held:
Training Link
I have worked at West Street for 6 years after teaching in Blackburn for 13 years. I have taught all year groups from year 2 to year 6 and have taught year 6 for the past 12 years. I am also Deputy Head and maths coordinator. I live with my husband and my daughter, Daisy. In my spare time I enjoy reading, running and eating out!
Term of Office:
01/01/2015 - 31/12/2018
Committees :
Full - Curriculum - Resources
Specific Roles Held:
None
I have worked at West Street for many years (16-17 years!) and still thoroughly enjoy it. I have worked in all year groups throughout my time at West Street. I am a governor and also member of the PTA. Outside school I am involved with a choir with children ranging from 5-19 years.
Term of Office:
23/02/2017 - 22/02/2021
Committees :
Full - Curriculum - Resources
Specific Roles Held:
SEND Link
I have worked at West Street for almost a year and I’m currently based in year 4. I volunteered across Key Stage 2 for a year previous to my employment. Outside school I am married with 3 three children and like to read in my spare time as well as spending days out with my family.
Term of Office:
12/11/2015 - 11/11/2019
Committees :
Full - Curriculum (Vice Chair) - Head Teachers Appraisal - Pay
Specific Roles Held:
Literacy Link
My name is Pauline Street and I am the Pastor at the New Life Christian Centre which is situated behind West Street School. I have been a governor at West Street since 2015 and enjoy working with staff, pupils, parents and other governors to get the best for the school. I am in school quite often, not just at meetings, but also taking assemblies. I also meet quite a few of the children and parents outside school at some of the activities we put on at New Life.
Term of Office:
16/03/2017 - 15/03/2021
Committees :
Full - Resources - Head Teachers Appraisal
Specific Roles Held:
Health & Safety Link
Pupil Premium Link
As a father of a year 1 pupil and as a local businessman, I am keen to help WestStreet School thrive for the benefit of all of the students. I’m a qualified Production Engineer, Health and Safety consultant and trainer with experience working in food manufacturing, tourism and on an employment project for people with special needs. I also own a restaurant in Burnley. My passions in life are travel, photography, cars, DIY and music.
Term of Office:
07/06/2017 - 06/06/2021
Committees :
Full - Curriculum
Specific Roles Held:
None
I have been a parent governor for the past 6 months. I am married and have 6 children, 3 of whom are at West Street. I also volunteer in the school and enjoy my time here. In my spare time I spend time with my family and help out at my children’s dance school.
Term of Office:
23/02/2017 - 22/02/2021
Committees :
Full - SEC - Curriculum
Specific Roles Held:
SEND Link
I have worked for 8 months in reception and currently in year 1. Before working at the school I was a parent governor for 2 years. I have 4 children which have all been pupils at West Street. I myself was also a pupil at West Street many years ago. I feel privileged to be a part of the school – the staff, pupils and parents are wonderful!
What is the role of a governor – what do we do?
The role of a governor is voluntary and unpaid. Governors have a high level of responsibility overseeing the development of the school and ensuring it meets all statutory requirements. They are accountable to OFSTED, the local authority, parents and pupils.
Our governing body has the following committees:
- Full: considers the position of the school in light of the work of the committees, local and national developments, feedback from stakeholders including parents. Meets termly.
- Resources: considers staffing, finance and buildings, including health & safety. Meets termly.
- Curriculum: considers teaching & learning including curriculum design and extra curricular provision. Meets termly.
- Standards & Effectiveness: considers the progress and attainment of pupils in relation to their starting points and comparison with national and Lancashire. Meets termly.
- Pay: considers the pay of staff and decides on any pay awards to be given. This committee meets once a year.
- Discipline & Appeal Committees meet as and when required and are served by untainted governors.
How do we carry out our role?
Governors sit on committees one of which must be the full governors. They attend a minimum of 3 termly meetings for full governors and additional termly meetings for any committees they represent.
However the main thrust of the governors’ role is to get to know the school inside out. They do this by spending time in school, visiting classes, taking part in activities, supporting with monitoring and meeting with pupils, parents and staff. From this knowledge and understanding they are able to make informed decisions about the position of the school and its future development.
Governors are provided with training and experienced governors mentor newly appointed governors.
How are governors elected?
Parent Governors (2 representatives)
Any vacancies for parent governors are advertised through the school newsletter and website. We then follow the local authority process for selection which is done through an election with a confidential vote and ballot for more than one candidate. The parent with the most votes is then elected as a governor.
Co-opted Governors (7 representatives)
Anyone can become a co-opted governor and do not necessarily have to have a link to the school. We have a number of spaces for co-opted governors with the specific aim of being able to target gaps in specific skills and experience. Applications are made via the Clerk to Governors or by contacting the Head Teacher.
Local Authority Governors (1 representatives)
Local Authority governors are suggested by the Local Authority. Governors assess candidates and agree on the best person for the role.
Staff Governors (1 representatives)
Staff governors are elected by the staff within the school. Vacancies are internally advertised followed by an election with a confidential vote and ballot for more than one candidate.
Associate Governors (no limit)
Associate governors support the development of the school through attending at meetings and offering opinions, skills and experience. They do not have any voting rights.
Governors Overview and Declaration
Attendance at Meetings
Regular attendance at meetings is essential and any unexplained non attendance is followed up by the Chair of Governors. The following information shows attendance at meetings for the academic year 2016-2017.
