Governors
Name |
Position |
Appointed by |
Dr Stephen Ellison | Chair of Governors | |
Mr Lewis Reece | Elected Parent | |
Mrs Laura Howkins | Elected Parent | |
Mr Rich Lazell | Local Authority Governor | |
Dr Stephen Ellison | Foundation Governor | London Diocesan Board for Schools (LDBS) |
Reverend Carole George | Foundation Governor | Incumbent St Nicholas Church |
Mrs Ann Squire | Foundation Governor | St Mary Magdalene Parochial Church Council (PCC) |
Miss Vicky Cunningham | Foundation Governor | London Diocesan Board for Schools (LDBS) |
Miss Sylvia Carter | Foundation Governor | St Nicholas Parochial Church Council (PCC) |
Dr Catherine Hart | Foundation Governor | St Nicholas Parochial Church Council (PCC) |
Mr Colin Barnard | Foundation Governor | |
Mrs Nik Cook | Headteacher | |
Mr Frank Curry | Clerk to Governors |
The Governors can be contacted via email at governors@stnicholas-shepperton.surrey.sch.uk or mail via the school office.
The Role of the Governing Body
The governing body is responsible for the conduct of its school, and must promote high standards of educational achievement at the school. It is the school's accountable body.
Who are we?
Staff, parents, local church and other interested parties from the local community
What do we do?
We:-
- Provide a strategic view of the school by establishing a vision, purpose and aims of the school within an agreed policy framework.
- Sign off the school self-evaluation process and respond to school improvement service and ofsted reports as necessary.
- Set and approve the school budget.
- Appoint and manage the performance of the head teacher, holding the headteacher to account for the performance of the school.
- Ensure that parents are involved, consulted and informed as appropriate, with information to the community being made available as required.
- Oversee admissions.
- Monitor the effectiveness of all plans, policies and procedures.
- Set challenging targets & monitor pupil performance and progress towards them.
- Are informed about the quality of teaching.
- Ensure health and safety issues are addressed.
- Consider repair & maintenance of buildings.
What do we not do?
- Inspect the school or assess the quality of teaching.
- Decide how pupils should be taught different subjects.
- Get involved in the day to day running of the school.
- Act as a go-between between parents and the Headteacher/Staff.
How do we work?
- As a full Governing Body that meets about 5 times a year.
- In committees, Resources (Finance & Premises), Standards, Admissions and Staffing, that meet 3-6 times a year
- In working parties that are formed to address specific issues.
- As individuals with specific links to subjects/issues and members of staff.
Building and Maintenance Fund
As St Nicholas is a Voluntary Aided School it receives less financial support than schools controlled by Surrey County Council and, contrary to popular belief, the school does not receive any financial support from the church. Therefore, in essence, we are responsible for 10% of the costs of providing, extending, improving, repairing and maintaining all capital items such as the school buildings, the playgrounds and associated drainage, plant, fixtures and fittings etc.
In order to provide these very necessary costs, we ask parents to acknowledge a voluntary commitment to contribute each year to the school’s Building and Maintenance Fund. The present recommended contribution is £72 per child per year or £6 per month. Occasionally, some parents give more than this and we are grateful for their generosity. Others are not always able to pay this much and we are equally grateful for smaller contributions. The value to the school of most contributions can be increased by participation in the Gift Aid scheme that will be explained after your child is offered a place at the school.
Contributions can be sent to the school in cash or by cheque (made payable to ‘St Nicholas Building and Maintenance Fund’) or can be made using a Bank Standing Order which we prefer. Forms can be downloaded below or are available from the school office.
Statutory Information 2021-2022