The Federation North and South Cowton Community and Melsonby Methodist Primary Schools

Together Stronger

About us

Our Governing Body

Following the creation of The Federation of North & South Cowton Community Primary School and Melsonby Methodist Primary School in March 2019, one Governing Body was formed.


The Remit of the Governing Body

The main purpose of The Federation Governing Body is to:

  • Ensure clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction of our schools and federation.
  • Hold executive leaders to account for educational performance of the schools within the federation and its pupils, and the performance management of staff.
  • Oversee the financial performance of the federation and make sure its money is well spent.

The Structure of our Governing Body

The governing body has considerable discretion as to how to discharge its responsibilities but is required to constitute itself in line with the regulations and to appoint a chair and vice chair. The governing body may delegate certain parts of its responsibilities to certain governors or committees of governors.

Our governing body meets approximately 6 times each year as a full governing body. Our current chair is Mrs Gail Smith. 

The governing body is made up of the following:

  • Executive Head Teacher.
  • Parent governors – elected by and from parents of registered pupils at the Federation School's.
  • Staff governor – elected by and from the staff at the Federation School's.
  • Local Education Authority (LA)– appointed by the LA.
  • Foundation  governors  (at  voluntary  aided,  voluntary  controlled  and some  foundation schools) –to preserve and develop the religious character of the school (if applicable) and to see that the trust deed is complied with.
  • Co-opted Governor  –  appointed  by  members  of  the  Governing Body  who  are  not themselves co-opted. They are intended to be representative of the local community and may add particular kinds of expertise.

Minutes from Governing Body meetings are available upon request.  Please contact either School Office for access.


Our Governors

Name and contact Role Governor area links Start date -term of office End date - term of office Term of office Business & Financial Interest

Gail Smith
cofggs@fednscmms.co.uk 

Local Authority Governor

Chair of Governors

Safeguarding

Attendance

Curriculum
EYFS
Governor Training

23.9.21

22.9.25

4

 

Vacancy

Parent Governor 

 

Shaun Henderson
shaun.henderson@fednscmms.co.uk 

Parent Governor

Health & Safety

Behaviour, Attendance & Attitudes to Learning

Assessment & Outcomes

23.9.21

22.9.25

4

Music Teacher - Durham County Council

Sarah Morrice
sarah.morrice@northsouthcowton.n-yorks.sch.uk 

Staff Governor

PE & Sports Premium

19.1.23

18.1.27

4

 

Judith Cutler

jude.cutler@fednscmms.co.uk

Foundation Governor (Methodist)

RE & Collective Worship

6.11.23

5.11.27

4

 

Emily Fenney

emily.fenney@fednscmms.co.uk

Co-opted Governor

SEND Governor

5.10.23 4.10.23 4

Teacher at Richmond School, North Yorkshire

Phil Jackson

phil.jackson@fednscmms.co.uk

Co-opted Governor

5.10.23 4.10.23 4

Debbie Andrew
debbie.andrew@fednscmms.co.uk 

Foundation Governor (Methodist)

Curriculum
RE & Collective Worship

17.3.22

16.3.26

4

 

Helen Robinson

head.teacher@fednscmms.co.uk

Ex-officio by virtue of office as Headteacher

01.01.21

31.12.25

4

Ian Mottram
headteacher@le-cateau.n-yorks.sch.uk 

Ex-officio by virtue of office as Headteacher

 

1.9.22

31.8.25

4

 

Members of the Governing Body who have resigned in the last 12 months

Name 

Role

 

 

Date term of office ended

 

 

Lisa Edmonds

Parent Governor

23.2.24

Sue Sleightholme

Foundation Governor (Methodist)

19.05.23

Elaine Richardson

Co-opted Governor
Co-Chair of Governors

01.02.23

Debbie Cheesbrough

Staff Governor

 

 

31.12.22

 

 

Heather Harland

Co-opted Governor

 

 

16.10.22

 

 

Strategic Planning: Collaboration and Federation

Our School Governors believe that collaboration with other local schools is very important for our small school. We are always open to and looking for ways of collaborating for

a) Financial benefit

b) Educational opportunities

c) Social interaction and development

We are also open to the possibility of federation with another school or schools. This more formal collaborative arrangement allows schools to plan ahead together and benefit from the longer term security this would afford. Our intention is to investigate all possibilities of federation with schools of similar ethos and approach to Primary Education as that of our school.



How to become a School Governor

If you require further information on the roles and responsibilities of School Governors or you are interested in becoming one, visit the North Yorkshire County Council website, School Governor section.