Be the best you can be
The Governing Body is responsible for the strategic management of the school. This includes appointing the Headteacher and are involved in interviewing other school staff. The governors are responsible and accountable for ensuring that the school discharges their statutory duties under the law. They ensure that the leadership and management of the school has appropriate plans and resources in place to deliver a high quality and effective learning experience for the children at Ribble Drive, whatever their ages and ability, so that every child can achieve his or her full potential.
The Governing Body also acts as a ‘critical friend’, monitoring performance & attainment, budgets and the premises, all to ensure that the school is providing an effective education for our children.
Governors are like a Board of Directors and make decisions about how the school is run. They meet at school at least once a term. They are an integral part of the Management structure, working closely with staff and parents to ensure Ribble Drive continues to provide the best opportunities for learners.
Decide what is taught;
Ensure the school delivers a broad and balanced curriculum;
Set standards of behaviours.
The Local Governing Body meets once a term. Its members are volunteers who play an important part in working with all members of our school community.
Governor | Category | Start of Term of Office | End of Term of Office |
Mr M. Taylor | Chair | 22/12/23 | 21/12/27 |
Mrs J. Caunce | Headteacher | Ex-officio | Ex-officio |
Ms K. Lenihan | Vice Chair Parent | 24/9/23 | 23/9/27 |
Mrs L. Pearson | Co-opted | 6/6/22 | 5/6/26 |
Mrs Z. Smith | Teaching staff | 23/5/24 | 22/5/28 |
Mrs C. Beattie | Support staff | 01/04/24 | 31/3/28 |
Vacancy | Co-opted |
Parent Governors are elected by parents/carers of pupils at the school
Co-opted Governors are elected by the Governing body
Staff Governors are elected by all staff colleagues
LA Governors are recommended by the LA and appointed by the Governing Body • Governors are required to declare any financial interest in accordance with Regulation 16 and Schedule 1 of the School Governance (Roles, procedures and Allowances) England Regulations 2013
The Governing Body is required to maintain and publish a register of business interests.
Governors are required to declare details of other school governance positions held.
Being a Ribble Drive governor involves attending full local governing body meetings (usually one a term). The Local Governing Body looks at developments in teaching and learning in the school, maintenance of the premises, personnel and finances.
Settling in as a new governor
If you agree to become a governor, a mentor will be able to give you an overview of the role including how meetings are conducted, and be able to answer any questions you may have about the role. You will be given a Ribble Drive 'Welcome Pack for New Governors' which will give you information pertinent to the school, and an Induction Pack from Governor Services which includes information on Training for Governors. We would encourage you to attend the next Induction Course (these take place in Bury and other parts of the county both during the day and in the evening so you can you choose the most convenient time) as it will give you information and an overview of what being a governor involves. The Governor's Handbook is also very useful.
The Governors of Ribble Drive Primary School believe it is important that Governing Boards reflect the diversity of the school communities they serve. Diverse Boards promote inclusive school environments and provide diverse role models for staff and young people. The Governors are currently collecting data on the diversity of the board, including data on age, gender and ethnicity. They will use that data to inform their recruitment and training needs and ensure there is always a diverse range of perspectives around the table to support robust decision making. At the present time, we do not publish this diversity data online, as individual Governors could be identified, and we have a legal obligation to protect their personal data.