School Telephone
01702 331356
The Role of the Governing Body
Our Governing Body:
• Sets the broad strategy for the school's development.
• Is accountable to those who fund the school, the parents and the wider community.
• Must act in accordance with the requirements laid down in Acts of Parliament, statutory regulations and the school's Instrument of Government.
• Must at all times act fairly and without prejudice.
Meet the Governors
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Name of Governor |
Governor Responsibility |
Register of Interest |
Information |
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Mrs Julia Jones (Headteacher since April 2013) Member of the Governing Body by virtue of position in school |
Training Governor |
None |
Having being educated in Southend as a child and then spending my teaching career in the local area I became Headteacher at Barons Court in April 2013 and since then we have worked together to continue to move the school forward. Before joining the school I worked as a class teacher in Upper Key Stage 2 and then became a Teaching and Learning Consultant for the Local Authority. I have also worked as a Deputy Headteacher in Shoebury for 9 years and helped support the successful move to a brand new school building. I love working at Barons Court where we have a dedicated team who work hard to ensure an exciting learning curriculum. Our children are fantastic and are at the heart of everything we do. |
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Sits on all Committees |
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Governor Attendance at Full Governing Body Meetings 2018-2019 4/4
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Mrs Jillian Robinson (Deputy Headteacher since September 2019) Member of the Governing Body by virtue of position in school |
Training Governor | None |
I have taught for more than 9 years in various settings across Kent before moving to Essex and becoming the Deputy Headteacher here at Barons Court in September 2019. I have experience of teaching in mainstream and special schools as well as experience of supporting teachers in other settings through the National Teaching School status. I have lead year groups and phases for the last 4 years and look forward to working closely with the creative and innovative staff and governors at Barons Court. The children at Barons Court deserve the best and it is a privilege to be a part of providing this for them and for our community. |
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Contributes to: Full Governing Body Curriculum and Personal Development Committee |
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Mrs Jessica da Silva Local Authority Governor Appointment Date:30.06.06 Term Ends 30.01.24
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Chair of Governors
Safeguarding Governor
Trustee Governor
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Nature of Business: Barons Court Primary School Trustee.
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I have been a governor for 13 years since my oldest son started at Barons Court. I have a background in finance with a business studies degree and having worked in the City in the money markets for 15 years before I left to have my children. Although not working at present, my days are very full with volunteering and helping out as a financial adviser for Essex WI , I also support with some life coaching at one of the secondary schools in the area, as well as my governor duties and looking after my sons! My other interests include music (playing flute and piano) and anything related to food! I really enjoy my work as a governor and have learnt so much about the school, its ethos, and how a school which is innovative and forward thinking can achieve great results and happy children. It is a real privilege to be a governor at Barons Court. |
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Contributes to: Full Governing Body Curriculum and Personal Development Committee Pay Committee Teaching School Alliance Strategic Board
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Governor Attendance at Full Governing Body Meetings 2018-2019 4/4 |
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Mr Alex Thornton Staff Governor Appointment Date: 17.07.18 Term Ends 16.07.22
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Health and Safety Governor |
Nature of Business: Finish Line Fund - Charity Trustee |
Having been a parent at Barons Court, worked in a number of industries outside of education, and now a teacher I feel that I bring a unique perspective to the role of Staff Governor. I have had previous experience sitting on the Governing Body of another local primary school for three years, a role I enjoyed enormously, found fulfilling and during which time I hope that I acted as the critical friend that the Governor role requires. As a Staff Governor I represent the broad views and opinions of the staff and act as we all do; to ensure high standards of achievement for all children and young people in the school. I look forward to helping Barons Court achieve the best that it can for all our children |
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Contributes to: Full Governing Body Curriculum and Personal Development Committee
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Governor Attendance at Full Governing Body Meetings 2018-2019 4/4 |
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Mrs Debbie Docherty Co-Opted Governor Appointment Date: 02.07.15 Term Ends 13.07.23 |
Vice Chair of Governors Curriculum Governor |
None |
I enjoy my role as a Co-Opted Governor. I have retired from my post as Head of Faculty of Business and Enterprise at South Essex College, a large Further and Higher Education College. I have many years experience in education, albeit in a different sector, and am keen to explore further how I can help Barons Court to maintain high standards for all its pupils. I have always been active in the local community being, in the past, treasurer of a local playgroup and chairperson of the National Childbirth Trust. Currently, I am a member of the WI, a local running group and a book club. |
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Contributes to: Full Governing Body Curriculum and Personal Development Committee Pay Committee
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Governor Attendance at Full Governing Body Meetings 2018-2019 2/4 |
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Mrs Jan Grover Co-Opted Governor Appointment Date: 28.03.18 Term Ends 27.03.22 |
Inclusion Governor | None |
I have been a teacher for over 36 years; working in both mainstream and specialist schools, mainly in secondary education but lately also in the primary sector. I began as a teacher of English moving to head of department, during which time I gained my MBA and a diploma in management studies. I moved into Special Educational Needs, working in a specialist school and gaining a Diploma in Special Educational Needs and Psychology. |
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Contributes to: Full Governing Body Curriculum and Personal Development Committee
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Governor Attendance at Full Governing Body Meetings 2018-2019 3/4 |
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Mr James Hargreaves Parent Governor Appointment Date: 02.05.18 Term Ends 01.05.22 |
Community Governor |
None | I am a parent of two children at the school and have enjoyed joining the Barons Court community. I am a university professor where I teach university students and design and analyse data from research studies. I sit on several committees and I am support the school in its strategy development. I conduct research on the health of young people and have written articles, worked with governments, charities and the World Health Organisation within this area. I also enjoy music and singing in bands. |
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Contributes to: Full Governing Body Curriculum and Personal Development Committee
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Governor Attendance at Full Governing Body Meetings 2018-2019 4/4 |
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Mrs Esther Elegbede Parent Governor Appointment Date: 02.05.18 Term Ends 01.05.22 |
Community Governor |
None | I have previously worked in project management, a profession which I thoroughly enjoyed. As a parent with two children in the school I feel extremely fortunate to be able to work in further partnership with the school. I am a committed member of the Parent Council which enables me to work in close partnership with the school. |
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Contributes to: Full Governing Body Curriculum and Personal Development Committee |
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Governor Attendance at Full Governing Body Meetings 2018-2019 4/4 |
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Mrs Jane Cross Co-opted Governor Appointment Date:07.02.19 Term Ends:08.02.23
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Curriculum Governor |
None |
I am very pleased to be a governor at Barons Court. I have lived in Westcliff with my husband and two daughters for 24 years. I have worked in the education sector for 24 years starting at the Special Needs Support Centre and then at a local secondary school, finishing my career in a primary school in Basildon. As both of my daughters attended Southend schools I wanted to support local primary schools with my wealth of knowledge and skills in finance management. I enjoy walking, photography and riding horses. |
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Contributes to: Full Governing Body Curriculum and Personal Development Committee
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Governor Attendance at Full Governing Body Meetings 2018-2019: 1/2
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Ms Emma Harding Clerk to the Governing Body |
I have worked as a Clerk to Governors since 2014 across both the primary and secondary sectors in community and academy schools. Working in a busy school environment, as part of a team with the aim of ensuring quality outcomes for pupils is both inspiring and engaging. I have a National Governors Association Clerking Accreditation and recently undertook a volunteer life coaching role to support young people to achieve their goals. |
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The Structure of our Governing Body
The Full Governing Body of Barons Court Primary School and Nursery meets at least once a term. Much of the work takes place in meetings of smaller groups of governors, which concentrate on managing specific areas of the school linked to school improvement.
These smaller groups which also meet at least once a term are the:
Curriculum and Personal Development Committee - (Jessica daSilva, Julia Jones, Debbie Docherty, Jan Grover, Alex Thornton, James Hargreaves, Jane Cross and Esther Elegbede)
Chair: Debbie Docherty
Pay Committee - (Jessica daSilva, Julia Jones, Debbie Docherty and Jan Grover)
Chair: Jan Grover
Finance and Premises Committee - (Jessica daSilva, Julia Jones, Debbie Docherty, Jan Grover, Alex Thornton, James Hargreaves, Jane Cross and Esther Elegbede)
Chair: Jane Cross (Finance) and Alex Thornton (Premises)
Each of these committees have a defined role to support school improvement. Governors are all volunteers, and the numbers and types of governors are set out in the Instrument of Government for the school. The composition of the Governing Body reflects a wide range of groups in the community. The Governing Body has a business of interest register which is reviewed and updated termly.
Timetable of Meetings 2019-2020
Full Governing Body meetings
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Autumn 2019 |
Spring 2020 |
Summer 2020 |
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Friday 20 September - 9.00 am |
Friday 31 January 9.00am |
Friday 10 July – 9.00am |
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Curriculum and Personal Development |
Pay |
Finance and Premises |
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Autumn Term 2019 |
Friday 15 November |
Wednesday 23 October |
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Spring Term 2020 |
Friday 20 March |
Wednesday 26 February |
Friday 31st January Friday 20th March |
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Summer Term 2020 |
Friday 5 June |
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Friday 19th June |
Governors Information Board
Following parental feedback we are pleased to see that many of our parents find the information provided by our Governors on their role and work highly beneficial. We will continue to use our newsletters for regular updates on the work of our Governing Body. Please see the welcome from our Chair of Governors below:
“I would like to introduce myself as the Chair of Governors. I have been a Governor for 13 years now and was the Vice Chair of Governors for a year before becomg the Chair of Governors. I have been working in the school kitchen as a volunteer and both of my children have attended the school.
I am proud and excited to be working with an enthusiastic team of governors who are striving to ensure high standards of achievement for all the children in our school, so that each child leaves the school emotionally and academically ready for the challenges of secondary school.
As Governors we have 3 main roles:-
We have continued to re-structure the governing body to try to make it even more effective and focused on the areas that have been identified for development. We will be reporting to parents regularly through the newsletter and via the website, as well as through the parent council where governors, the headteacher and parent representatives will work on school projects in line with school development plans. Look out for more updates coming soon.”
Jessica da Silva – Chair of Governors
Feedback from the Full Governing Body - 31st January 2020
Last week the governing body met and discussed progress against the school’s priorities for the year. These include developing our exciting curriculum further and a focus on improving and deepening mathematical knowledge across the school. We had a chance to ask challenging questions to ensure that the school is on track to achieve its objectives and to enhance the experience of every pupil in the school.
Another main function of the governing body is overseeing the financial performance of the school and making sure its money is well spent. As part of this we looked at the finances of the CLIC (Community Learning and Information Centre). The school and community have been greatly strengthened by the learning opportunities that the CLIC has been able to offer. I’m sure, like me, many of you have gained new skills, greater confidence and good friends through the courses and activities offered. CLIC is funded separately from the school and, until now, we have obtained grants from a variety of sources to provide funds to run its courses and provide a creche. Unfortunately, and despite the best efforts of Mrs Jones and the finance team, they have been unable to secure further funding for CLIC going forward. This may mean that the CLIC as it is now, will have to close or reduce the courses we provide significantly. Please, please have a think and get in touch via the school office if you have any ideas. I know what a resourceful community we all are so lets put our heads together and do everything we can to save our CLIC!
Jessica daSilva (Chair of Governors)
Feedback from the Governor Curriculum Committee - 15th November 2019
This committee meets every term to consider issues relating to the curriculum. In particular, it monitors how our pupils are progressing and their outcomes with a specific focus on personal development and inclusion. It aims to ensure that Barons Court provides all our pupils with a broad-based education in line with the requirements of the National Curriculum.
The Attainment and Progress Report for 2018/19 was discussed as the data report is a summary of pupils’ performance for the last academic year. It provides information for Reading, Writing and Maths and shows how pupils in our school perform against national and local outcomes. Mrs Jones presented the report to the Governors who were pleased to hear that Barons Court’s performance compares very positively against national standards with regards to the attainment in all core curriculum subjects. The Governors were updated on the Pupil Premium Strategy report and the work being done to support all pupils to achieve to their maximum potential. This included information about exciting projects using poetry and storytelling as a vehicle to enhance pupils’ speaking and listening skills. Also, the use of an environmental project, soon to be rolled-out across the school, was outlined to help broaden the pupils’ curriculum with the introduction of exciting new books to be used as texts to support learning about the environment. The Governors were also very encouraged to hear about the many support strategies which are being used to help pupils achieve their targets such as the booster sessions in English and Maths and 1-2-1 support available.
Mrs Jones led a discussion about attendance and, whilst attendance is generally high, it was announced that a Local Authority Attendance Officer will be working with the school to assist in managing any low levels of attendance. The Governors heard that the results of the Staff Survey had been positive, with a high return of questionnaires. Strategies were discussed to continue to support the wellbeing of staff, pupils and their families across our school community.
Debbie Docherty (Vice Chair)
Feedback from The Governing Body Pay Committee- 23rd October 2019
The Personnel and Pay Committee met on Wednesday. The main focus of the committee on this occasion was to implement the school's pay review and staffing structure. The terms of reference for the pay committee were agreed and signed by the Chair of the committee. The pay policy has been updated in line with local and national guidelines and this was agreed at the meeting. All teaching staff have undertaken their performance management reviews and applications were considered for annual pay reviews for teaching staff. The staffing structure of the school was also reviewed and agreed.
The school has put in place a well-being programme for staff, pupils and parents and this was reviewed at the meeting. We are pleased to see that our Pupil Leadership Team will be receiving the award on Friday 8th November in recognition of the commitment we all show to everyones well-being at our school. The governors thanked the staff and Headteacher for all their hard work throughout this busy half term—it has been an excellent start of the year for all of our children.
Jan Grover (Chair Personnel, Pay Committee)
Feedback from the Full Governing Body Meeting - 20th September 2019
The main focus of the first meeting of the year was to consider the membership of the Governing Body and to ensure that all roles and responsibilities of committees were approved. Governors were appointed to be responsible for : GDPR; Emotional Well-Being, Mental Health and Community; Inclusion; Health and Safety: Safeguarding; Curriculum and Training.
The School Development Plan was received and agreed and there will be a focus on maths and curriculum development over the year. School performance was also reviewed for the academic year 2018- 2019 and showed that all pupils achieved strong outcomes during the year. A range of survey analysis was also shared and reviewed and feedback from Year 6 Pupil surveys, Year 6 Parent surveys, the Annual Parent Survey, the KS2 pupil E-Safety survey and the Summer CLIC Reading Project Survey was positive in all cases and has helped inform the school planning for this year. Current policies were received and reviewed and Governors signed to say they had read the Keeping Children Safe in Education Part 1 Sept 2019 and the School's Safeguarding Policy. Governors also received an update on the Teaching School Alliance strategic plan for 2019- 2020. The governors thanked the staff and Headteacher for all their hard work in the previous year which ensured that all children at our school continue to receive an exciting curriculum and enjoy all the learning experiences on offer. It’s going to be another exciting year ahead and we look forward to working in partnership with you.
Jan Grover (Governor)