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Local Governing Body

Welcome from the Governors

Welcome to our school.

Governors are a vibrant group of committed volunteers that represent and reflect the community of the school (parents, school colleagues and our wider community). Our governors are a key part of the strategic leadership of the school.

The Local Governing Body help set and dedicate themselves to the vision, values and strategic direction of the schools, maintaining their individuality whilst encouraging collaboration and sharing of excellence. They share responsibilities for supporting, monitoring and evaluating the performance of the schools in delivering a fulfilling, broad and balanced education for all their children.

The Local Governing Body:

· meets 6 times per year as a full board, with no additional committees

· is part of a larger governance structure for Inspiring Futures through Learning Multi Academy Trust, which includes IFtL Members and Board of Trustees. The full structure and responsibilities of these roles, including details of who serves within them, is available at www.iftl.co.uk/governance-in-iftl/

· carries out its delegated functions and responsibilities which are focused upon:

- the wellbeing and safety of all children and adults within the schools’ communities

- the standards of educational performance, for all children, within the schools

-the position of the schools within their wider communities and how the schools contribute positively to this

- to identify, and look to mitigate, risk in relation to the above

- to carry out the duties delegated to the Local Governing Body by the IFtL Board of Trustees, outlines in the IFtL Scheme of Delegation (seen at www.iftl.co.uk/governance-in-iftl/

The Chair of the Local Governing Body is Mike Griffiths.

If you are interested in becoming a governor or would like to make contact with the Chair, please email the school office.

Alternatively, please send a letter in a sealed envelope marked 'Chair of the Local Governing Body' via the school office, or via emailing IFtL’s Head of Governance, Stephanie Boak on: sboak@iftl.co.uk


Governors

Mike Griffiths - Chair of Governors & Safeguarding Link Governor- Trust Appointed Governor

 Claire King-  Trust Appointed Governor

Richard Lake  – Trust Appointed Governor

Nick Biddle- Parent Governor

Lucy Coleman- Trust Appointed Governor

Beth Emerson - Staff Governor

Lisa Watson - Headteacher

Other members of staff who attend Governors meetings: 

Claire Crook (SENCo and SLT) 

Sarah Evans (Assessment Lead and Senior Teacher) 

 

Clerk to Governors: Barry Wardle 

 

Claire King 

I currently have one child who attends the school and another starting in September. I am a deputy headteacher in another primary school in Milton Keynes, which I hope will bring a wealth of knowledge and understanding to my role as a governor. Through the skills I have learnt from this role, along with my passion that all children should be given the opportunity to have the best education, I hope to support the school with continuing to deliver an excellent education for all its pupils.

Richard Lake

This is my first time as a school governor, but I'm excited to see how I can help and support the school through my time as a governor. I'm married, have a teenage son and have taken quite a scenic route through life.

I have been the minister at Lavendon Baptist Church since 2018, taking on the role while completing my training at the University of Oxford. Following the completion of my studies, I was ordained as a Baptist Minister in 2019 and continue to minister/pastor at the Baptist Church. My only experience of governorship previously was while at Oxford and sitting as an elected rep on the College's governing body.

Prior to training for ministry, I have been involved in youth work, ran a small photography company and been a stay at home dad. This was following an earlier career in management consultancy. In my consultancy years, I was responsibly for a number of significant projects in the financial services industry focussing on business change, operational effectiveness and customer management.

Outside of work, I enjoy photography, golf and spending time with friends and family.

Nick Biddle

I have lived in the village for 10 years now and both my daughters attend Lavendon School (years 4 and 2) and really enjoy it. I run my own IT consulting company providing support to a wide range of industries, from automotive coatings to community support charities in London. In the past I have worked as a lighting designer and engineer for theatrical shows and tours around the world. I have been lucky enough to represent the UK in world theatre festivals. More recently I have lost many hours to building, racing and fixing a race car with my brother. We have even managed to win a few championships between us over the years. It's been great to see my daughters taking an interest, they really enjoy being in the paddock on race days getting their hands dirty helping. I hope a sa governor I can use my experience and knowledge to support the school in continuing to provide the best school experience it can for the children.

Lucy Coleman

I currently have one child who attends the school, and I am excited to be part of the governing body at Lavendon School. Having been in the teaching  profession for 14 years now; I have had many different roles and responsibilities, which I hope will bring a wealth of knowledge and understanding to my role as a governor. These have included the position of Assistant Headteacher and SENCo (Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator) of a primary school in Northamptonshire, where I led the inclusion and welfare aspect of the school's provision. I have lived locally for the majority of my life and attended local schools as a child. I am thrilled to get the opportunity to support Mrs Watson, and the other members of the governing body, to ensure the smooth running and progress of the school for the pupils in it and for the community that it serves.

 

Mike Griffiths

Father of 4 children, the youngest still at home (just). He began his education at Lavendon School passing through each of the 7 years before attending Ousedale and Northampton University. I have lived in th village for 25 years and a governor at the school since 2010. Chair of Governors since 2015. I am a director of the Lavendon Pavilion pre-school.

Former Printer and National Trade Union Officer I formed my own company in 2010 which no longer requires much of my time. Retirement has given me the opportunity to pursue other interests with sailing and tennis foremost amongst them. I work closely with the governors, parents and our headteacher in enquiring we achieve the best education and development opportunities for our pupils

 

Beth Emerson

I currently teach at Lavendon school and have done since leaving university in 2019. I am the Staff Governor, and I wanted to become a governor to gain a better insight to how the school is run to further my professional development. Through the role so far, I have earned about the school budgets and the way that the governors monitor the school's teachers and data. I hope to continue to build on my understanding of monitoring and help the school achieve their goals