We are representatives from the community, parents, members of the teaching team and the Headteacher and we meet every half term.
The Governing Body take an active interest in the life of the school and individual Governors take responsibility for specific areas of the School Improvement Plan. The three committees “Curriculum & Behaviour” and “Finance, Staffing & Pay” and ‘Premises, Health & Safety”, meet regularly, on behalf of the Governing Body, to look at key areas of the Plan in further detail.
The Role of the Governing Body
School Governors provide strategic leadership and accountability in all schools. Governors appoint the Headteacher and are involved in the appointment of other staff. It is the governors who hold the main responsibility for financial management of the school’s budget and they work with the Headteacher to make decisions about the provision of resources within the constraints of the finances available.
Each individual Governor is a member of the Governing Body, which is established in law as a corporate body. Individual Governors may not act independently of the rest of the Governing Body. Decisions are the joint responsibility of the Governing Body.
The role of the Governing Body is to:
- Set the aims and objectives for the school;
- Set the policies for achieving those aims and objectives;
- Set the targets for achieving those aims and objectives;
- Monitor and evaluate the progress the school is making towards the achievement of its aims and objectives;
- Be a source of challenge and support to the Headteacher
The Headteacher is responsible for the internal organisation, management and control of the school and the implementation of the strategic framework established by the Governing Body.
The Governors aim to conduct themselves and work with the school in accordance with the National Governors’ Association code of conduct. Please click here for further information.
What do the Governing Body do?
The Full Governing Body (FGB) meets every half term and is fully minuted by a dedicated Clerk to the Governors. Minutes can be requested through the school office. The agenda for a Full Governing Body meeting will include review of the school development plan, a Headteacher's report - with particular regard to pupil progress, an update on other priority areas and reports from the chairs of our committees.
The agenda for a Full Governing Body meeting includes the following:
- A review of the School Improvement Plan;
- A Headteacher's Report - with particular regard to pupil progress;
- An update on other priority areas;
- Reports from the Chairperson of each committee.
At Castle Park we have three committees which have authority to agree and monitor policies and key actions on behalf of the Full Governing Body. The committees meet at least once a term. Currently our committees are:
- Curriculum & Behaviour - This committee is focused on the attainment and progress of all the children in the school, the curriculum and the quality of teaching and learning. This sub-committee is responsible for setting and evaluating the Social, Moral, Spiritual and Cultural expectations of the school. Safeguarding and behaviour of pupils across the school are also reviewed at these meetings.
- Finance, Staffing & Pay - This committee sets and monitors the school’s budget with the School Business Manager, School Bursar and Headteacher. The budget must be approved by the Full Governing Body each year. The use of the Pupil Premium Grant is closely monitored and this committee also reviews all staffing and pay matters.
- Premises, Health & Safety - This committee is responsible for the fabric of the school and all Health and Safety issues. The School Business Manager attends these meetings along with school’s Site Manager. Regular safety inspections and fire drills are performed and monitored by this committee.
All our Governors visit the school to monitor a specific key strategic priority or area of development being undertaken by the school. Alternatively, a Governor may monitor an aspect of the Social, Moral, Spiritual and Cultural development of our pupils. These visits are structured and conducted in partnership with the Headteacher and the staff.
Who's who on the Governing Body
Welcome to the Governor's who's who section of our website. Here, you will find information regarding our Governors, their appointment and committee membership. Also contained in this information is the Register of Interests.
Full Governing Body
| Full Governing Body | Date of Appointment | Term of Office | Date of Resignation | Appointment | Relevant Business or Pecuniary Interests |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mr Austen Robinson | 1st April 2016 | Ongoing | Co-opted Governor | None declared | |
| Mrs Josie Bousfield | 1st April 2016 | Ongoing | December 2018 | Parent Governor | Kirkbie Kendal Employee |
| Mrs Natalie GrahamHope (Chair of FSP) | 1st April 2016 | Ongoing | June 2018 | Co-opted Governor | None declared |
| Mrs Joanne Taylor | 1st April 2016 | Ongoing | July 2016 | Co-opted Governor | CCC Employee |
| Mr Rob Fenton | 1st April 2016 | Ongoing | Parent Governor | None declared | |
| Mr Mark Deverill (Chair of Trustees & Premises) | 1st April 2016 | Ongoing | July 2019 | Co-opted Governor | Architect |
| Mrs Wendy Gibson (Chair of Governors) | 1st April 2016 | Ongoing | Co-opted Governor | None declared | |
| Mrs Rebecca Brook | 1st April 2016 | Ongoing | July 2016 | Parent Governor | None declared |
| Mrs Sarah Felstead (Chair of C & B) (Resigned Jan 2018) | 1st April 2016 | Ongoing | December 2017 | Parent Governor | None declared |
| Mr Alan Robinson | 1st April 2016 | Ongoing | Co-opted Governor | None declared | |
| Mrs Shirley Evans | 1st April 2016 | Ongoing | July 2019 | Co-opted Governor | Cumbria County Councillor |
| Mrs Helen Richardson | 1st April 2016 | Headteacher-ex officio | Headteacher | ||
| Mr Neil Stoker | 1st April 2016 | Ongoing | Staff Governor | Deputy Headteacher | |
| Miss Leanne Shaw | 1st April 2016 | Ongoing | Co-opted Governor | Class teacher | |
| Mr Jonny Gios | July 2015 | Ongoing | Jan 2016 | Co-opted Governor | None declared |
| Mrs Helen Smith | July 2016 | Ongoing | July 2020 | Co-opted Governor | None declared |
| Mr Colin Fisher | July 2016 | Ongoing | July 2020 | Parent Governor | None declared |
| Mrs Stacey Manclark | September 2017 | Clerk to Governors | |||
| Mrs Fiona Barrett | April 2009 | December 2017 | Clerk to Governors | ||
| Mrs Helen Ainsworth | December 2018 | Ongoing | Co-opted Governor | None declared | |
| Mr Richard Hussey | December 2018 | Ongoing | May 2020 | None declared | |
| December 2018 | Ongoing | Co-opted Governor | None declared | ||
| Mrs Nicola Kitchen | December 2018 | Ongoing | Co-opted Governor | None declared | |
| Mr Stuart Crook | November 2020 | Ongoing | Co-opted Governor | ||
| Mr Andrew Shannon | November 2020 | Ongoing | Co-opted Governor | ||
| Mr Tom Pateson | December 2018 | Ongoing | Co-opted Governor | None declared |
Full Governing Body Attendance
| Attendance for 2017-18 | Attendance for 2018-19 | Attendance for 2019-2020 | Attendance for 2020-2021 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mrs Josie Bousfield | 3/6 | 1/1 - resigned Dec '18 | - | - |
| Mrs Natalie Graham-Hope | 6/6 - Resigned July 2018 | - | - | - |
| Mrs Wendy Gibson | 6/6 | 6/6 | Chair 8/8 | 4/6 |
| Mrs Sarah Felstead | 1/2 (Resigned Dec 2017) | - | - | - |
| Mrs Shirley Evans | 6/6 | 3/6 | - | - |
| Mrs Helen Richardson | 6/6 | 5/6 | 8/8 | 4/6 |
| Mr Neil Stoker | 6/6 | 5/6 | 8/8 | 4/6 |
| Miss Leanne Shaw | 6/6 | 6/6 | 8/8 | 4/6 |
| Mr Colin Fisher | 6/6 | 5/6 | 7/8 Resigned | - |
| Mr Mark Deverill | 6/6 | 5/6 | - Resigned as governor | - |
| Mr Alan Robinson | 3/6 | 4/6 | 6/8 | 3/6 |
| Mr Rob Fenton | 6/6 | 4/6 | 6/8 | 4/6 |
| Mrs Helen Smith | 3/6 | 6/6 | 5/8 Resigned | - |
| Mr Austen Robinson | 5/6 | 4/6 | 5/8 | 2/6 |
| Mrs Helen Ainsworth | - | 4/5 | 7/8 | 4/6 |
| Mr Richard Hussey | - | 4/5 | 4/5 Resigned | |
| - | 5/5 | 7/8 | 4/6 | |
| Mrs Nicola Kitchen | - | 5/5 | 5/8 | 2/6 |
| Mr Andrew Shannon | - | - | - | 3/5 |
| Mr Stuart Crook | 3/5 | |||
| Mr Tom Pateson | - | 4/5 | 6/8 | 4/6 |
Curriculum & Behaviour Committee
| Attendance for 2017-18 | Attendance for 2018-19 | Attendance for 2019-2020 | Attendance for 2020-2021 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mrs Josie Bousfield | 4/5 | 1/1 resigned Dec '18 | - | - |
| Mrs Wendy Gibson | 5/5 | 4/5 | Chair 3/3 | Chair 2/3 |
| Mrs Sarah Felstead (Resigned Jan 2018) | 1/5 | - | - | - |
| Mrs Shirley Evans | 4/5 | 4/5 | - | - |
| Mrs Helen Richardson | 5/5 | 5/5 | 3/3 | 2/3 |
| Mr Neil Stoker | 5/5 | 5/5 | 3/3 | 2/3 |
| Miss Leanne Shaw | 5/5 | 4/5 | 3/3 | 2/3 |
| Mr Austen Robinson | - | 5/5 | - | - |
| Mrs Helen Smith | - | 4/5 | - | - |
| Mrs N. Kitchen | - | 3/4 | 1/3 | 2/3 |
| - | 4/4 | 3/3 | 2/3 | |
| Mr Colin Fisher | 5/5 | 3/5 | 2/3 | - |
| Mr Stuart Crook | - | - | - | 1/2 |
Finance, Staffing & Pay Committee
| Attendance for 2017-18 | Attendance for 2018-19 | Attendance for 2019-2020 | Attendance for 2020-2021 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mrs Helen Richardson | 7/7 | 5/5 | 4/4 | 2/4 |
| Mr Neil Stoker | 7/7 | 5/5 | 3/4 | 2/4 |
| Mr Austen Robinson | 6/7 | 2/5 | 4/4 | 2/4 |
| Mr Alan Robinson | 7/7 | 4/5 | Chair 4/4 | Chair 2/4 |
| Mrs Natalie Graham-Hope | 5/7 | Resigned July 2018 | - | - |
| Mr Mark Deverill | - | 4/5 | - | - |
| Mr R. Hussey | - | 2/3 | 2/4 | - |
| Mrs Helen Smith | 7/7 | 4/5 | 3/4 | - |
| Mrs Wendy Gibson | - | - | - | 2/4 |
Premises, Health & Safety Committee
| Attendance for 2017-18 | Attendance for 2018-19 | Attendance for 2019-2020 | Attendance for 2020-2021 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mrs Helen Richardson | 3/4 | 6/6 | 2/2 | 2/4 |
| Mr Mark Deverill | 4/4 | 6/6 | - | - |
| Mr Rob Fenton | 4/4 | 6/6 | Chair 2/2 | 2/4 |
| Mrs Shirley Evans | 1/4 | - | - | - |
| Mr Austen Robinson | - | 5/6 | 2/2 | 2/4 |
| Mrs Helen Ainsworth | - | 5/5 | 2/2 | 2/4 |
| Mr T. Pateson | - | 4/5 | 2/2 | 2/4 |
| Mrs Natalie Graham-Hope | - | - | - | - |
| Mr Andrew Shannon | - | - | - | 2/4 |
Register of Interests
| Full Governing Body | Business/Pecuniary Interests | Other governor Rules | Relationship between governors/staff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mr Austen Robinson | None | None | None |
| Mrs Josie Bousfield (resigned Dec '18) | None | None | None |
| Mrs Natalie Graham-Hope (res July 2018) | None | None | None |
| Mrs Joanne Taylor (res) | None | None | None |
| Mr Rob Fenton | None | None | None |
| Mr Mark Deverill | Architect | None | None |
| Mrs Wendy Gibson | None | Governor at QKS | None |
| Mrs Rebecca Brook (res) | None | None | None |
| Mrs Sarah Felstead (resigned Jan 2018) | Husband CatererWindermere Lakes Cruises | None | None |
| Mr Alan Robinson | None | None | None |
| Mrs Shirley Evans | B & B Owner, Wainwright House, Kendal | None | None |
| Mr Jonny Gios (resigned) | None | None | None |
| Mr Colin Fisher | None | None | None |
| Mrs Helen Smith | None | None | None |
| Mrs Helen Richardson | None | None | Headteacher |
| Mr Neil Stoker | None | None | Colleagues |
| Miss Leanne Shaw | None | None | Colleagues |
| Mrs Helen Ainsworth | None | None | None |
| Mr Richard Hussey | None | None | Husband of School Business Manager |
| None | None | None | |
| Mrs Nicola Kitchen | None | None | None |
| Mr Tom Pateson | None | None | None |
| Mr Andrew Shannon | None | ||
| Mr Stuart Crook | None |