Arkwright 
Meet our Governors
The governing body is made up of 1 staff governor, 1 LA governor, 3 parent governors, 3 co- opted governors and the Headteacher.
Below is information regarding the current governing body as of December 2024.
The school has 1 vacancy, this is for a co-opted governor.
Governing Body Terms of Reference
Governing Body Annual Governance Statement
Governing Body Declaration of Pecuniary and Personal Interests
Governors roles and attendance
Mr Jon Clark
Category of governor: Local Authority Governor.
Appointed by: LA.
Term of office: 25.09.18 - Oct 2026. *Term of office extended to do specific needs of the school and governing body.
Position of responsibility: Safeguarding
Voting rights: Yes.
Mr Ian Roberts
Category of governor: Headteacher.
Appointed by: Governing body.
Term of office: Ongoing.
Position of responsibility: Headteacher.
Voting rights: Yes.
Mrs Poppy Poole (previously Miss Martin)
Category of governor: Staff governor.
Appointed by: Governing body.
Term of office: Appointed 19.10.2022. Ends 18.10.2026
Position of responsibility: School website
Voting rights: Yes.
Mrs Gemma Bicknell
Category of governor: Parent governor. (Vice-Chair)
Appointed by: Governing body.
Term of office: 13.07.23 - 12.7.27.
Position of responsibility: English, Art, Music, Anti-bullying and Staff Wellbeing
Voting rights: Yes.
Mr Stuart Nesbit
Category of governor: Parent governor (Chair of Governors)
Appointed by: Governing Body
Term of Office: 19.10.2023 - 21.12.2025
Position of responsibility: Finance, Health and safety and GDPR
Voting rights: Yes
Mrs Jane Brown
Category of governor: Co-opted
Appointed by: Governing Body
Term of Office: 19.10.2023 - 18.10.2026
Position of responsibility: EYFS and Wider curriculum
Voting rights: Yes
Mr Steve Wells
Category of governor: Co-opted
Appointed by: Governing Body
Term of Office: Appointed 19.10.2023 - 18.10.2026
Position of responsibility: Maths and Science
Voting rights: Yes
Mrs Hayley Spark
Category of governor: Parent Governor
Appointed by: Governing Body
Term of Office: Appointed 13.07.24 - 12.07.2027
Position of responsibility: SEND
Voting rights: Yes
Mr Steven Morris
Category of governor: Parent Governor
Appointed by: Governing Body
Term of Office: 05.02.25 - 04.02.28
Position of responsibility: TBC
Voting rights: Yes
Miss Monique Wharmby
Category of governor: Co-opted
Appointed by: Governing Body
Term of Office: 05.02.25 - 04.02.28
Position of responsibility: Curriculum (Arts)
Voting rights: Yes
*No governor sub-groups or committees to list.
Our main role is to support the Headteacher and the staff – the phrase often used to describe this role is ‘a critical friend’. We help them to set and reach targets and to strive for excellence across the whole spectrum of school life. The two key documents used for this are the School Improvement Plan (SIP) and the Self Evaluation Summary (SES). The SIP sets out a three year strategic plan for the school, with targets that everyone works towards and the SES sets out how well the school is doing and where we aim to make improvements.
Our legal duties include:
- setting strategic direction, policies and objectives
- approving the school budget
- reviewing progress against the school's budget and objectives
- appointing, challenging and supporting the headteacher
The Governing Body meets at least once every (new) term. We also have committees or working groups to look at particular issues (Resource management, teaching and learning etc.).
We also prepare a School Profile for parents. You can find it on the school website.
There are several categories of governor, appointed by different groups that have an interest in the school. These are Community governors, the Local Authority (“LA”), Parents, and Staff. All governors have equal status, however they are appointed.
We are committed to providing an excellent environment for all pupils to enjoy during their time at our school.
Our Governing Body meetings are usually held in the evening. We attend training sessions and seminars to help us keep up to date with changes in schools and education and to help us do our job effectively. We also go into school to meet with the Headteacher, other members of staff and pupils to help us find out how the school is progressing towards its targets.
If you wish to know more, or are interested in becoming a governor, please contact the main school office.
Attendance record of Governors
All meetings were well attended and any apologies accepted.
Meetings were quorate which ensured that decisions could be made.