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Governance

School governors form the largest volunteer group in the country. They are people from all walks of life, who care about children’s education and are prepared to work as a team to support their school and local community.

More than 9,000 people volunteer to be governors in Lancashire, bringing to their role experience of everyday life and a wish to help children and schools. They support schools in raising standards, by determining the conduct and direction of the school.

Effective governors do not need educational expertise but do need to be committed to their school, willing to ask questions and act as a critical friend. They also need to be able to work as an enthusiastic member of the governing body team. The headteacher works closely with the governing body as its principal professional advisor. Governing body policy decisions will then be implemented by the headteacher in the day-to-day running of the school.

They will be supported by other governors on the governing body as well as by Lancashire County Council, through the Governor Services Team. In Lancashire we have always valued the contribution of governors and we have sought to support governing bodies by providing a wide range of services including clerking, training and information. Seminars on a variety of topics are provided throughout Lancashire. Governors also receive a termly copy of “The Lancashire Governor” to keep them up-to-date on current issues.

Existing Lancashire governors also have access to the Schools’ Portal where they can view school specific information related to their governance duties and responsibilities.

There are different categories of governor, and the procedures for appointment or election depend on the category and the date when the governing body was constituted.

  • Parent Governors
  • Staff Governors
  • Authority Governors
  • Community Governors
  • Co-opted Governors
  • Sponsor Governors
  • Foundation Governors
  • Partnership Governors

Some people cannot become governors. The general restrictions are listed in the document Disqualification from Holding a Governorship. All terms of office are for four years unless a reason is given for shortening the length of office.

As well as the termly Full Governing Body meeting where all governors attend, we also have sub-committees including the Curriculum and Standards Committee and the Resources and Finance Committee.

To find out more about becoming a Governor of a school, please click here.

Become a Governor letter

Instrument of Governance

The school operates with a Full Governing Body meeting at least once each term plus delegated committee responsibilities as detailed in the Terms of Reference below, for two committees which meet termly.

Curriculum & Standards Terms of Reference (CAS)

Resources & Finance Terms of Reference (RAF)

But who are our Governors?

 Governors have consented to their images and names being used as per GDPR regulations. All governors are appointed by the Full Governing Body.

All staff have been checked and verified by the Disclosure Barring Service and have been appointed following interview and satisfactory references. All governors, volunteers and visitors to the school are asked to provide their DBS certificate for verification before entering the school premises.

Geoff Copsey, Chair of Governors

Co-opted Governor

Appointed: Spring 2021. Term of office ends: Spring 2025

Member of: RAF Committee

 

Register of Interests declared: None declared

Personal Statement:

I was asked to join the Governing body due to my knowledge and experience gained working at the power station. I live locally and as a Father of 3 older children and also a Foster carer I am keen to help Trumacar CP school develop by into a leading education provider. I have a passion for science and technology so look forward to working with the school as a link governor in these subjects.

 

Dave Chapman, Joint Vice Chair of Governors

Co-opted Governor

Appointed: Summer 2022. Term of office ends: Summer 2026

Member of: 

 

Register of Interests declared: None declared

Personal Statement:

I joined the governors in July 2022 as a parent of a former pupil who had an amazing time at the school. I have been involved in education since 2001 when I started as an Outdoor Education Instructor in the Lake District. In 2008 I qualified as a history teacher and since then I taught in a secondary school, moving into senior leadership positions from 2015. I have a passion for education and improving the life chances of all young people, and I will bring my experience to the governing body to support the continuous improvement of Trumacar CP School. I’m also still enjoying the outdoors when I can and am a local Scout leader, trying to pass on my enthusiasm for adventure to the next generation!

Rebecca Davenport

Co-opted Governor

Appointed: Summer 2021. Term of office ends: Summer 2025

Member of: CAS Committee

 

Register of Interests declared: Nothing declared

Personal Statement:

I work locally to Trumacar at Lancaster and Morecambe College as the Adult and Community Manager and as a Community Governor I want to support the school, staff and pupils to grow, learn and strive to be the best.  The staff at Trumacar are clearly passionate about where they work and the children they work with.

I have one daughter and 2 stepchildren and together as a family, including the dogs, we enjoy the outdoors especially walking, camping and eating ice-cream!

Emily Foster, Joint Vice Chair of Governors

Co-opted Governor

Appointed: Spring 2023. Term of office ends: Spring 2027

Member of: CAS Committee

 

Register of Interests declared: Nothing declared

Personal Statement:

 

Ceri Hamer, Head of School

Ex-officio governor:

Member of: CAS Committee

 

Register of Interests declared: C&C Entertainment – Director

Personal Statement:

As Deputy I have been working closely with our Governing Body for many years. Prior to joining Trumacar I was also the staff Governor for two other schools. I have always enjoyed this aspect of my work as it gives us the opportunity to look at the whole school community. I have a passion for Community links and understand the value it can bring to develop the education of our pupils further. Now as Head of School I have an even more active role within the Governing Body. I also lead our Parent Partnership which allows me to also share the views of parent body with our Governors. Our Governing Body members are fully active in school life and are very well informed when making decisions about our school.  The support they offer is invaluable to the school.

Paul Slater, Executive Headteacher

Ex-officio governor: Attends all meetings of the Governing Body

 

Register of Interests declared: CEO,  The Fells Multi Academy Trust

Personal Statement:

I’ve been a teacher for over 30 years and have worked all over the country ranging from small rural schools to big inner city schools. I’ve been a Headteacher now for over 20 years and was the Headteacher at Clifton Primary School in St Annes before coming to Trumacar.  I am now also the CEO for The Fells MAT which comprises of three schools – George Hastwell Special School, The Queen Katherine School and Walney School – in Cumbria. Outside of school I have a passion for fellwalking with my family and my springer spaniel as well as travelling and going to the cinema and theatre whenever possible. I feel privileged to be the Headteacher at Trumacar and with my fellow governors want to ensure that all children get the highest quality education we can provide – to inspire them to achieve their dreams.

Helen Summerfield

Co-opted Governor

Appointed: Summer 2005. Term of office ends: Summer 2022

Member of: CAS Committee, RAF Committee

 

Register of Interests declared: Nothing declared

Personal Statement:

I have had the privilege of being a Governor of Trumacar School for more years than I care to admit to. I have three children and one grandchild.  I was first elected as a parent governor when my second child started school. Over the years I have helped and supported the school in just about all areas. For many years I was voluntary help in classrooms and an active member of the PTFA. Before I took early retirement I worked for the NHS as a Paediatric Therapy Helper working mostly on one to one bases in different schools with children who needed a little more help than others. My experiences over the years has made me realise how essential it is for children to be safe and happy in school for them to achieve their goals and become independent. I am now a Community Governor and from 2010 I have held the post of Chair to the Governing Body.  My greatest wish is for Trumacar to be recognised as the Outstanding School it is.

Vicki van Mechelen

Staff Governor

Appointed: Autumn 2020. Term of office ends: Autumn 2024

Member of: CAS Committee

 

Register of Interests declared: None declared

Personal Statement:

I have been a class teacher at Trumacar Primary school since 2016. I am passionate about teaching and learning, especially Geography and appreciating our Planet. I strive to deliver a creative and engaging curriculum, which meets the needs of all children. My previous career was with local community arts organisation, More Music involving myself in the Carnival Arts World and community music.

My partner Rob and I have two children and when we get the opportunity we love to be in the outdoors, either camping, walking and/or open water swimming.

Emmie Wearing

Parent Governor

Appointed: Autumn 2020. Term of office ends: Autumn 2024

Member of: CAS Committee

 

Register of Interests declared: 

Personal Statement:

Carol Williamson

Co-opted Governor

Appointed: Autumn 2015. Term of office ends: Autumn 2023

Member of: Chair of CAS Committee

 

Register of Interests declared: Nothing declared

Personal Statement:

When I entered Trumacar School for the first time in 2011, to do some part time teaching, I immediately felt welcome. Before I retired several years earlier, I had been a local primary school headteacher. Working at Trumacar, enabled me to gain valuable insight into current developments in education. Government policies have changed and increased so much over recent years and demands on schools are immense. However it is heartening to see that children never change and those at Trumacar especially, retain that same enthusiasm to learn. I am happy to be able to support a school with such a dedicated head and staff who have enabled it to develop into such a successful establishment.

Governor Development Plan

Governors are currently working on the following areas of development as well as ensuring that the School’s overall School Development Plan is effectively put in place and has impact for pupils and their learning of knowledge and skills.

  • To strengthen the Governing body by ensuring new Governors attend the necessary training to bring them in line with experienced Governors
  • Governor links need to be reviewed post closures and Subject leader links to be strengthened or established with new governors
  • To audit its members strengths and skills following changes within the Governing Body
  • Governors to strengthen their links with Parent Voice directly
  • To keep all governors informed on a regular basis through nominated governor reports and committee meetings

What are the Governors’ individual responsibilities?

Subject/Management Area Staff member Governor
Art and Design Helen Robinson Carol Williamson
Child Protection and Safeguarding Ceri Hamer Geoff Copsey
Computing Gavin Wells
Design Technology Jennifer Smith Geoff Copsey
Early Years Clare Morrison Helen Summerfield
Eco-Schools Vicki van Mechelen Carol Williamson
English Clare Morrison and Heather Beckett Rebecca Davenport
Equality and Diversity Ceri Hamer
GDPR Anthea Collin Geoff Copsey
Geography Vicki van Mechelen Dave Chapman
History Jon Stark Dave Chapman
Link Governor Ceri Hamer Helen Summerfield
Mathematics Eloise Hadwin and Jon Stark Rebecca Davenport
Music Daniel Orr Carol Williamson
Outdoor Learning Heather Beckett Emily Foster
PE Claire Bloomfield Emily Foster
PREVENT Ceri Hamer Helen Summerfield
Primary Foreign Language - Spanish Clare Morrison Rebecca Davenport
PSHE and RSE Ceri Hamer Helen Summerfield
Pupil Premium Ceri Hamer  Geoff Copsey
Religion Claire Morrey Helen Summerfield
Science Chris Beckett Emily Foster
SEND Caroline Moorby Emily Foster