Our Governors

Governor Information

As a Voluntary Aided School rooted in Christian values, several of our governors are appointed by the Diocese as Foundation Governors. Their role is to preserve and develop the school’s religious character, ensuring that Christian values are embedded throughout school life. Governors actively support Religious Education, oversee collective worship, and collaborate with school leaders to promote the spiritual, moral, social, and cultural development of all pupils, in line with our faith tradition.

Our Full Governing Body (FGB) comprises governors representing parents/carers, staff, and the local community, to monitor the day-to-day running of the school.

In general terms, the FGB is required to:

Set the strategic direction and ethos for the school.
Hold the school accountable for its actions and achievements by monitoring its performance across a broad range of criteria.
Act as a ‘critical friend’ to the school, offering support, guidance, and praise when appropriate, and constructive criticism and challenge when necessary.

The FGB meets six times a year, typically once every half-term. Additionally, some governors take on extra roles to fulfil statutory responsibilities in areas like Safeguarding and SEND. We also have ‘links’ to specific subjects within the curriculum and make visits to the school to meet staff, observe lessons, and support school events. These activities allow us to develop a good understanding of how the school is performing, as well as the challenges it faces.

Members of our FGB have a wide range of expertise and experience from many walks of life, and we endeavour to use these skills to help the school whenever possible. We are also very aware of the ever-changing education environment, and governors attend training sessions to ensure that our governance work complies with the latest requirements.

Governors are committed to our primary purpose of ensuring that the school continues to deliver a high standard of education in a safe and secure environment, securing the best possible outcomes for each and every one of its students. We firmly believe that this is best achieved through a close partnership between students, their parents/carers, the school staff, and governors.

We encourage our children to seize the many opportunities at Little Waltham School, ensuring their time with us is both successful and enjoyable.

The Governing Body

Our Governing Body comprises the following members and includes teachers, parents and volunteers from the local community. The Governors have a key role in overseeing curriculum policies, appointing staff, care and maintenance of the building, monitoring grounds and equipment and setting the budget. The role of a Governor is strategic rather than operational; the Headteacher and his staff manage the day to day running of the school.

Mr Matt Sisto - Chair of Governors / Local Authority Governor

Mr Emmanuel Aluko - Foundation Governor (PCC)

Ms Charlotte Barker - Staff Governor

Mrs Hannah Bennett - Foundation Governor (PCC)

Mrs Marian Hawkins - Clerk to the Governors

Mr Graeme McLeod - Foundation Governor (DBE) and Vice Chair Of Governors

Revd Dan Pierce - Incumbent Governor (Ex-Officio)

Mr Stephen Saunders - Headteacher (Ex-Officio)

Mrs Anita Shea - Parent Governor

Mrs Louise Smith - Foundation Governor (PCC), Parent

Mrs Zoe Bostwick - Associate Governor

Explanations of Governor Roles

Chair of Governors
Appointment: Elected annually by the governing body from among its members (excluding staff governors and the headteacher).
Number Required: One.
Main Role: The Chair of Governors provides strategic leadership to the governing body, ensuring it functions effectively. They set the agenda, chair meetings, act as a key point of contact for the headteacher, and represent the governing body at external events. The Chair supports and holds the headteacher to account, ensuring the school delivers high standards of education.

Staff Governor
Appointment: Elected by school staff (both teaching and non-teaching) from among their peers.
Number Required: One.
Main Role: The Staff Governor represents the views and experiences of staff on the governing body. They participate in strategic decision-making and help the board understand the practical impact of its decisions on teaching and learning. They must act in the best interests of the school as a whole rather than as a staff representative.

Foundation Governor
Appointment: Appointed by the school’s Diocese.
Number Required: In a Church school, they usually form the majority.
Main Role: Foundation Governors ensure the school’s Christian ethos and values are upheld and promoted throughout all aspects of school life. They help ensure the school is run in accordance with its founding principles and maintain its distinctive character.

Local Authority Governor
Appointment: Nominated by the local authority and approved by the governing body based on skills and experience.
Number Required: One.
Main Role: The Local Authority Governor brings a wider perspective to the governing body and helps ensure accountability to the public and alignment with local and national priorities. They support strategic planning and decision-making in the best interests of pupils.

Parent Governor
Appointment: Elected by the parents of children at the school. If insufficient candidates come forward, the governing body may appoint a parent.
Number Required: At least two.
Main Role: Parent Governors bring a parental viewpoint to the governing body, contributing to strategic discussions and decision-making. While they reflect parental views, they are not representatives of individual parents and act in the best interests of the whole school community.

Incumbent Governor
Appointment: The local parish incumbent automatically holds this position if named in the school’s instrument of government. If the post is vacant, an alternative foundation governor may be appointed.
Number Required: One
Main Role: The Incumbent Governor plays a key role in supporting the school’s Christian foundation and spiritual development. They often lead or support collective worship and ensure the school’s values are reflected in its ethos and curriculum.

Associate Governor
Appointment: Appointed by the governing body based on specific skills, experience, or knowledge needed to support particular areas of school development.
Number Required: No set number – appointed as needed.
Main Role: Associate Governors are not full members of the governing body but can be appointed to attend meetings and contribute to discussions in areas where their expertise is valuable (e.g., finance, curriculum, safeguarding). They may serve on committees and support strategic planning but do not have voting rights at full governing body meetings unless delegated by the governing body for committee purposes.

Vacancies

Foundation Governor (DBE)

Governors Register of Interest September 2024