Trustees
The Pioneer Academy Trust Board is constituted to create robust and challenging governance across our schools, realising the ambitions and aspirations for high achievement. Building on the excellence of the quality of governance, the Multi Academy Trust Board will bring synergy to the leadership, management and policy framework for all schools.
The Trust board will hold the Governing Bodies accountable.
The Board will meet termly and comprise: the Chair of Governos from each of the 6 schools, the CEO and up to 4 member appointees.
The Board has overall responsibility for the management and administration of The Pioneer Academy: the operations of all schools, with some responsibilities delegated to the Local Governing Bodies of the schools. The Local Governing Bodies are legally functioning committees of the Trustees Board. They will meet termly and have their own committees, looking after the standards, resources and buildings and premises.
The Board also has sub committees for Staff Disciplinary issues, Complaints and Appeals and Pupil Exclusions.
Governors
Chair of Governors: Mrs Nicola Long
Email: governors@woodcoteprimary.croydon.sch.uk
Woodcote Primary School's Governing Body offers strategic direction to the school, reviews the school's Vision Statement and Development Plan annually and ensures that continuous improvement is achieved at the school. All governors visit the school at least once a term (often more), and complete a report on the standards that they observe during their visit. Governors also attend an INSET day annually.
It is up to each and every governor to fulfil his or her statutory responsibilities efficiently and to implement any changes within set deadlines. Every governor undertakes regular CPD, in order to keep their understanding, skills and knowledge up-to-date. This ensures that they contribute to the school running efficiently with continually rising standards.
The Governing Body sets an appropriate budget each year, which allows Woodcote Primary to achieve its desired outcomes. Budget data is scrutinised termly by the Governing Body, and challenged when appropriate to ensure best value. Governors attend regular training and update their knowledge on financial procedures each year.
Governors ensure the health and safety of all users of the school premises, including procedures for safeguarding children. Accidents are monitored, audits are scrutinised and recommendations are implemented accordingly. Policies are reviewed annually and Health and Safety is an agenda item at every meeting.
Governors encourage good citizenship in the school and community. Community cohesion is promoted through school policy, community events and governor interactions. Governors are aware of the links between the community and the school, and they offer appropriate challenge to maintain standards.
Woodcote Primary's Governing Body was reconstituted in September 2014 to allow for a more dynamic and targeted structure. It is now made up of:-
- 2 x Parent Governors
- 1 x Staff Governor
- 1 x LA Governor
- 7 x Co-opted Governors
- 3 x Associate Governors
- 1 x Head Teacher
The full Governing Body meets monthly with specific roles covered by teams of at least two governors who report back at each meeting.
LIST OF GOVERNORS | ||||||||
GOVERNOR TYPE | VOTING | NAME | APPOINTED BY | POSITION | START DATE | END DATE | ||
Head of school with transferred voting rights | No | Mrs Claire Baldock | Governing Board | Head of School | 21/01/2020 | 21/01/2021 | Further term agreed January 2020 | |
Co-opted | Yes | Mr Stephen Broom | Governing Board | - | 03/09/2018 | 03/09/2022 | Resigned 02/09/20 | |
Co-opted | Yes | Mr James Collins | Governing Board | Attendance and Behaviour and Attainment and Progress | 03/09/2014 | 03/09/2022 | Further 4 year term agreed July 2018 | |
Co-opted | Yes | Mrs Sally Mott | Governing Board | Health and Safety and Attendance and Behaviour | 03/09/2018 | 03/09/2022 | Further 4 year term agreed July 2018 | |
Associate Member | No | Miss Natalie Conway | Governing Board | Safeguarding and SEND and Disadvantaged pupils | 15/03/2020 | 15/03/2021 | Further year agreed February 2020 | |
Head teacher | Yes | Mr Timothy Rome | Mandatory position | TPA allocated Head Teacher | 24/11/2008 | Ongoing | ||
Parent | Yes | Mrs Dharmista Patel | Parent election | - | 21/07/2017 | 21/07/2019 | Term expired - see new positions below | |
Parent | Yes | Mrs Nicola Long | Parent election | - | 21/07/2017 | 21/07/2019 | Term expired - see new positions below | |
Staff | Yes | Mr Peter Russell | Staff election | - | 22/07/2017 | 22/07/2021 | Resigned 16/10/2019 | |
Associate Member | No | Mr Andrew Pringle | Governing Board | - | 14/09/2020 | 14/09/2021 | Resigned 02/11/2020 | |
Co-opted | Yes | Mrs Wei Li | Governing Board | - | 15/11/2018 | 15/11/2022 | Resigned 22/09/2019 | |
Co-opted | Yes | Mr Henry Buchanan | Governing Board | Health and Safety and Finance | 25/04/2019 | 25/04/2023 | ||
Co-opted | No | Mr Rakesh Tripathi | Governing Board | Curriculum (and finance support role) | 16/05/2019 | 16/05/2023 | ||
Co-opted | Yes | Ms Ciara Tynan | Governing Board | - | 18/07/2019 | 18/07/2021 | Resigned 17/09/2019 | |
Parent | Yes | Mrs Alison MacKenzie | Parent election | Vice Chair, Parent, Child and Community (and support role with Health and Safety) | 18/07/2019 | 18/07/2021 | ||
Parent | Yes | Mr Robert King | Parent Election | Finance and Curriculum (and support role for Parent, Child and Community) | 18/07/2019 | 18/07/2021 | ||
Local Authority | Yes | Mrs Dharmista Patel | Governing Board | - | 18/07/2019 | 18/07/2023 | Resigned 1/10/2019 | |
Co-opted | Yes | Mrs Nicola Long | Governing Board | Chair, Attainment and Progress (and supporting safeguarding role) | 22/07/2019 | 22/07/2023 | ||
Staff | Yes | Miss Emma Healy | Staff election | Safeguarding/SEND and disadvantaged pupils and staff liaison | 19/11/2019 | 19/11/2023 | ||
LA Governor | Yes | Mrs Nicola Tallis | LA | Safeguarding and SEND and Disadvantaged pupils | 25/02/2020 | 25/02/2024 |
Total number of Full Governing Body meetings over the accademic year 2019-20: 11 (no meetings in December and August and 2 meetings in April) | |||||
NAME | GOVERNOR TYPE | POSITION | NO. OF MEETINGS ATTENDED | % OF MEETINGS ATTENDED | |
Mrs Claire Baldock | Associate Member | Teaching, Learning and Attainment Governor / Head of School | 8 (out of a possible 9 meetings) | 89% | CB only a member of the GB for 9 of the 11 meetings |
Mr Timothy Rome | Head Teacher | Head Teacher | 10 | 91% | |
Mr James Collins | Co-opted | Disadvantaged pupils | 10 | 91% | |
Steve Broom | Co-opted | Finance | 10 | 91% | |
Dharmista Patel | Parent Governor | Chair (for September meeting) | 1 | 100% | Resigned 1/10/19 |
Nicola Long | Parent Governor | Chair / Safeguarding and Inclusion | 10 | 91% | |
Andrew Pringle | Associate Member | Communication | 8 | 73% | |
Natalie Conway | Associate Member | Safeguarding and Inclusion | 10 | 91% | |
Sally Mott | Co-opted | Premises | 11 | 100% | |
Peter Russell | Staff Governor | Premises | 1 | 100% | Resigned 16/10/19 |
Henry Buchanan | Co-opted | Finance | 8 | 73% | |
Rakesh Tripathi | Associate Member | Premises and health and safety | 11 | 100% | |
Alison MacKenzie | Parent | Vice Chair / communication and training | 11 | 100% | |
Robert King | Parent | School Improvement | 10 | 91% | |
Nicola Tallis | Local Authority Governor | Safeguarding | 6 (out of a possible 7 meetings) | 86% | Term of office did not start until 25/02/20 |
Emma Healy | Staff Governor | Staff liaison/support | 8 (out of a possible 9 meetings) | 89% | Term of office did not start until 19/11/19 |
Woodcote Primary – Register of Interests 2020-21
NAME |
POSITION/ROLE AT TPA |
EMPLOYMENT |
BUSINESS |
COMPANY DIRECTORSHIPS |
CHARITY TRUSTEE |
MEMBERSHIP OF OTHER BODIES |
OTHER INTERESTS |
CLOSE FAMILY |
INTERETS OF CLOSE FAMILY |
Claire Baldock |
Head of School |
Woodcote Primary School |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Spouse: James Baldock Siblings: Kirsty Spicer Parents: Norman and Sharon Spicer |
James Baldock: AK9 Dog Walking (self employed dog walker) |
Sally Mott |
Extended Hours Manager |
Woodcote Primary School |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Spouse: David Mott Siblings: Peter Barnett and Esther Hoare Children over 18: Danny and Anthony Mott Parents: Rosemary Barnett and Lionel Barnett (deceased) |
David Mott: Rothschild Asset Management – Director Peter Barnett: Self employed insurance broker Esther Hoare: NatWest/Royal Bank of Scotland Danny Mott: Meteor Asset Management Anthony Mott: Abbot, Oxford |
Nicola Tallis |
L.A. Governor |
Educational Psychologist, Croydon Council |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Spouse: Daniel Tallis Siblings: Tara Jellis Parents: Mr and Mrs Muldowney |
Daniel Tallis: MacMillan Educational Tara Jelis: Virtual School Teacher, Staffordshire |
Henry Buchanan |
Co-opted Governor |
Underwriter, Optio Group |
Insurance |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Spouse: Jacqueline Buchanan |
- |
Allison MacKenzie |
Vice Chair / Parent Governor |
Designers Guild Ltd |
- |
- |
- |
Member of Woodcote PTFA |
- |
Spouse: Jeremy Gow Parents: Pamela MacKenzie |
- |
Robert King |
Parent Governor |
Credit Agricole RK Coaching & Consulting Young Presidents Organisation |
RK coaching & Consulting Ltd |
RK Coaching & Consulting Ltd |
- |
- |
- |
Spouse: Beverly King Siblings: Lorraine King and Suzanne Holmes Children over 18: Melissa King Parents: Mr and Mrs A King |
Beverly King: Graebel Inc. – Director or EMEA Clint Consulting
Lorraine King – Borough of Islington, School Assessor; staff professional development consultant and coach |
Rakesh Tripathi |
Co-opted Governor |
Octal Ltd |
Octal Ltd |
Octal Ltd |
- |
- |
- |
Spouse: Neha Mishra Parents: Pramod and Sudha Tripathi |
Neha Mishra: Octal Ltd – company director and Habitat Services Ltd, Company Director |
Natalie Conway |
Assistant Headteacher for Inclusion |
Woodcote Primary School |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Spouse: Chris Pook |
Chris Pook: Jaspers Croydon Corporate Catering, owner and director |
Nicola Long |
Chair and Co-opted Governor |
Ketchum |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Spouse: Kevin Long Siblings: Johanna Garrett Parents: Jackie Garrett |
Kevin Long: British Telecom, Senior Leaker |
Emma Healy |
Class Teacher |
Woodcote Primary School and Jay Seal (behalf of Croydon Council) |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Spouse: Stephen Scola Siblings: Kieran, Euan and Aidan Healy Parents: Kevin and Lucy Healy |
Deborah Scola (mother-in-law to be) – School Business Manager at Woodcote Primary School |
James Collins |
Co-opted Governor |
Metier Integration Services Ltd |
- |
Metier Integration Services Ltd |
- |
- |
Member of the School Board at The Crescent |
|
|
Nicola Leaker |
Clerk to the Governing board Office Assistant |
Woodcote Primary School |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Spouse: David Leaker Siblings: Andrew McCleave Parents: Veronica McCleave |
David Leaker: Head of Technology Services, Strictly Educational.
Andrew McCleave: Manager, Hayes Recruitment |
How are Governors recruited?
Governors are recruited by several different methods depending upon the type of Governor being sought.
Local Authority (LA) Governor
This category of Governor needs to be approved by the Local Authority (LA) and although likely candidates may be put forward by the LA, the Governing Body can seek suitably skilled individuals from within the Local Authority arena who may then be put forward to LA Governor Services to take up references prior to taking up the position.
Staff Governor
Any member of Woodcote Primary School staff (not restricted to teaching staff) may nominate themselves or be nominated to stand for the Staff Governor position, and the position will be appointed following a vote by the staff at the school.
Co-opted Governor
If a vacancy arises for a Co-opted Governor then a role description and skills requirement will be produced. The Governing Body will work with the One Stop Governor Shop to identify local candidates who may be a good match to meet the need. If the parental balance on the Governing Body at that time allows, then this may also be opened up to the parent body to apply. When any suitable candidates have provided a covering letter and CV, a subgroup of the Governing Body would review these to make a short list who would then undertake the interview process. Once a decision has been made by the subgroup, this would be presented to the main Governing Body for approval.
Parent Governor
Parent governors are elected by other parents at the school. Any parent, or carer of a registered pupil at the school at the time of election is eligible to stand for election as a parent governor. Parent governors may continue to hold office until the end of their term of office even if their child leaves the school.
Following the most recent statutory guidance, issued 27 March 2015: -
Governing bodies may only appoint as a parent governor a parent who has, in their opinion, the skills to contribute to effective governance and the success of the school. Every effort should therefore be made upfront to avoid potential difficulties later by informing prospective candidates of the nature of the role and securing their agreement to a clear set of expectations for behaviour and conduct.
How do I raise any concerns with the Governing Body?
The Governing Body welcome communication from all of the school stakeholders. If you wish to raise a concern or share an idea or opinion then please do so by either emailing us on governors@woodcoteprimary.croydon.sch.uk or alternatively you can write a letter and give it to the Office to pass onto us.
We make a concerted effort to ensure that there is always at least one Governor in attendance at school functions, such as performances, coffee mornings or parents evenings so this is another way that you can speak to us face to face.
There are also some of us that you will see daily in the playgrounds, where we would be more than happy to answer any quick questions you may have. However, if you have something of a more important or sensitive nature to discuss then please use one of the more formal routes mentioned above.
If an individual wishes to raise a concern on behalf of a group of parents\stakeholders, it is necessary that all such parties put their name to such communication so the Governing Body can be informed of all the individuals involved.
We will always do our best to respond to you in the first instance within 24 hours of your communication, however we ask that you please bear in mind that we also have working and family life to juggle alongside our voluntary Governor responsibilities.
Formal Complaints
The school received four formal complaints in the year 2019 - 2020
The school has received one formal complaint in the year 2020 - 2021