At Green Lane we have a passionate group of volunteers who form the governing body of our school. Many are parents whose children either are at the school or have recently left, other governors are connected to St Mary’s Church through our links with the Church of England, some come from the ranks of our dedicated staff, what links them all is an unwavering dedication to the children and families this school serves. The governors want to see every child achieve and thrive, we are particularly focused on assuring that our most disadvantaged pupils leave our school as ready for the next phase of their learning as every other pupil at Green Lane.
Our governors challenge us to be the best we can be and they support us in achieving this aim. If you feel you could add to our team and help us in our mission for excellence then contact the school via email or write to our Chair of Governors, Reverend Alec Harding, using the school’s address.
The school is a Voluntary Controlled school (under the auspices of the Durham & Newcastle Diocesan Board of Education). Our governors work closely with the headteacher, school staff and representatives from the local authority (LA) for the benefit of all the children in the school.
Governor Committee Structure
You can find out more about the established governors, including their areas of responsibility, by clicking on their names below:
| Name | Representing | Term of Office | Committee | Responsibilities | Register of Interest | Relationship to staff |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rev Alec Harding - Chair | Foundation Governor | ongoing | Appeals Curriculum and Performance Christian Ethos (Chair) | Collective Worship Headteacher Supervision Equalities Link Governor | None | None |
| Mrs Jennifer Currie | Foundation Governor | 26/07/2024 | Christian Ethos Headteacher's Performance | None | None | |
| Mrs Jane Lawson Goldberg | Foundation Governor | 22/02/2026 | Christian Ethos | None | None | |
| Mrs Alison Hartley | Co-opted Governor | 30/09/2023 | Curriculum and Performance Finance, Premises, Personnel and High Force Christian Ethos | RE | Teacher at this school | None |
| Mr Patrick Bonnett | Co-opted Governor | 11/01/2026 | Finance, Premises, Personnel and High Force | None | None | |
| Mr Robin Lees | Co-opted Governor | 18/10/2024 | Curriculum and Performance (Chair) Appeals | High Force Education Equalities / Diversity | None | None |
| Mrs Pamela Petty | Local Authority Governor | 10/06/2022 | Finance, Premises, Personnel and High Force First Pay Review | SEND and Wellbeing of Staff and Pupils | Chair of Governors Bishop Auckland College | None |
| Miss Lisa Johnson - Vice Chair | Parent Governor | 07/11/2025 | Finance, Premises, Personnel and High Force - Chair First Pay Review | Pupil Premium Sports Premium School Financial Value Standard Looked after children Link | None | None |
| Mr Iain Brown | Parent Governor | 07/11/2025 | Finance, Premises, Personnel and High Force First Pay Review Personnel Headteacher's Performance Curriculum and Performance | Nursery Liaison | Green Lane Nursery & Childcare Centre Director | None |
| Mr Simon Baker | Parent Governor | 11/02/2023 | Finance, Premises, Personnel and High Force Curriculum and Performance First Pay Review | None | None | |
| Mr Robert Goffee | Headteacher | ongoing | all committees | Teacher at this school | None | |
| Mrs Nicola Linsley | Staff | 07/05/2023 | Curriculum and Performance Finance, Premises, Personnel and High Force | Wellbeing and Pastoral Care EYFS Lead | Teacher at this school | None |
| Mrs Frances Stenlake | Foundation | 30/09/2023 | Finance, Premises, Personnel and High Force First Pay Review | Safeguarding | None | None |
| Ms Gina Richardson | Parent | 07/11/2025 | Curriculum and Performance | None | None | |
| Mrs Rachael Collinson | Parent | 07/11/2025 | Curriculum and Performance | None | None |
Recent leavers
- Mrs Claire Barker-Bedford – Parent Governor
- Mrs Rebecca Kesterton – Parent Governor
- Mr Greg Farrar – Parent Governor
- Mrs Maria Waddington – Foundation Governor
Annual Statement
Each year the governing body is required to publish an annual statement setting out the key issues that have been faced and addressed over the last year, and an assessment of the impact of the governing body on the school. To read the Governors Annual Statement view or download the full document below
2021 Annual Governance Statement for the Governing Body
Statutory Guidance for Governing Bodies
Green Lane CE Primary School adhere to the statutory guidance from the Department of Education. This means that governing bodies must have regard to it when carrying out duties relating to the constitution of governing bodies in maintained schools. For further information please view or download the full document below.
The-Constitution-of-Governing-Bodies-of-Maintained-Schools
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 Durham County Council website School Governor section.
Governing Body & its Committees
The purpose of the Governing Body is to conduct the school with a view to promoting high standards of educational achievement. Its three core strategic functions are:
- Ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction
- Holding the Headteacher to account for the educational performance of the school and its pupils, and the performance management of its staff
- Overseeing the financial performance of the school and making sure its money is well spent
The Governing Body has established a number of committees to which it delegates day to day responsibility for the oversight of various aspects of the running of the school.
The Christian Ethos Committee ensures that our core values permeate throughout the school. To find out about the key responsibilities of the other two main committees click on the links below:
Curriculum and Performance Committee Key Responsibilities
Finance, Premises and Personnel Committee Key Responsibilities
No members of the Governing Body have declared material interests arising from relationships between Governors or relationships between Governors and school staff.
Code of Conduct for Governors
Governor Attendance at Committee Responsible for Financial Management
Green Lane displays a record of governor attendance at the termly finance meetings for each school academic year.
Code:
Y Present
n/a Not a member of the committee at this time
Apols Apologies received and accepted
| Name | 8.3.2021 | 21.6.2021 | 14.10.2021 | 2.12.2021 | 16.2.2022 | 15.6.2022 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mr Rob Goffee (Headteacher) | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Lisa Johnson - Chair | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Frances Stenlake | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Patrick Bonnett | n/a | n/a | Y | Y | Y | apols given and accepted |
| Pam Petty | Y | Y | apols given and accepted | Y | Y | no apols given |
| Iain Brown | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Simon Baker | Y | Y | Y | Y | apols given and accepted | Y |
| Nic Linsley | n/a | n/a | Y | apols given and accepted | Y | Y |
| Alison Hartley | n/a | n/a | n/a | apols given and accepted | Y | apols given and accepted |
Archived Attendance
You can also view previous years attendance on our website.
Committee Terms of Reference
Full Governing Body
CHAIR: Reverend Canon Alec Harding
VICE CHAIR: Ms Lisa Johnson
Terms of Reference
Strategic Leadership and Accountability:
- In collaboration with school leaders determine a clear and explicit vision for the future. Ensure this is communicated to the whole organisation.
- Set strong and clear values and ensure these are embedded across the organisation and adhered to.
- Determine the strategic direction for the school.
- Monitor and evaluate pupil progress and attainment by receiving reports and information from the Headteacher and other school leaders; compare against national and local benchmarks over time.
- Receive reports from committees, working parties or individuals and agree actions.
- Approve the SEF and monitor throughout the year.
- Approve the School Improvement Plan priorities and monitor throughout the year progress towards agreed actions.
- Ensure there is a transparent system for performance management of all staff which is clearly linked to the school’s priorities. Have oversight of staff performance throughout the year.
- Ensure there are mechanisms in place to listen to and respond to the views of parents/carers, pupils, staff, local communities and employers.
- Agree recruitment process to be followed in relation to Senior Leader posts; where delegated ratify appointments.
- Final approval of the annual budget plan.
- Monitor the school’s budget throughout the year.
- Agree virement and expenditure limits for the Headteacher.
- Hold at least 3 meetings each academic year. Ensure that committee meetings are held in accordance with the agreed terms of reference.
People and Structures:
- Elect and/or remove Chair of Governors and Vice Chair of Governors.
- Appoint Committee Chairs or delegate to each committee.
- Consider and agree delegation of functions to individuals or committees.
- Agree committee terms of reference and membership.
- Establish a register of Governors business interests.
- Ensure Governors information on the Get Information About Schools (GIAS) register and the school website is up to date and compliant with current requirements.
- Confirm the Instrument of Government and subsequent amendments.
- Appoint Co-opted, Local Authority and where necessary Parent Governors to the Board.
- Review and monitor the Governor Induction Process.
- Have regard for Governors professional development.
- Where necessary, suspend or remove Governors from the Board.
- Appoint/dismiss the Clerk to the Governing Body.
Compliance and Evaluation:
- Consider business provided by Local Authority and other sources
- Suspend or end suspension of staff members.
- Ensure all statutory policies are in place and there is an effective policy review cycle.
- Review and agree the Governor Code of Conduct.
- Confirm arrangements for completion of a Governor Skills Audit.
- Ensure there is regular self-evaluation and review of individual’s contribution to the Board as well as the Board’s overall operation and effectiveness.
- As necessary, consider an external review of the Board’s effectiveness.
- Ensure school website is up to date and compliant with current DfE requirements.
The Finance, Personnel, Premises and High Force Committee
Terms of Reference:
See link to key responsibilities above.
Meetings: termly, or each half term, planned to coincide with Oracle Statements
Disqualifications: when there may be a conflict of interest; a fair hearing is required; or a pecuniary interest
Virement & Expenditure Limits
| Virement Limits | Expenditure Limits | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Limit set for Headteacher without prior written approval of Chair or Governing Body | £ 5,000 | Any items of expenditure up to | £ 10,000 |
| Limit set for Headteacher with approval from Chair of Governors | 5,001 – 10,000 | Above this limit if item was previously notified to the Governing Body. Prior Finance Committee or Chair of Governors approval (whichever is the soonest) to be sought outside of this limit and reported at the earliest opportunity. |
|
| Prior Finance Committee or Chair of Governors approval (whichever is the soonest) to be sought outside of this limit and reported at the earliest opportunity. | |||
NB Any goods/services purchased and works to be carried out are subject to Durham County Council Contract Procedure Rules (January 2014) for quotations.
The Curriculum and Performance Committee
Terms of Reference:
See link to key responsibilities above.
Meetings: termly, or each half term, planned to coincide with Oracle Statements
Disqualifications: when there may be a conflict of interest; a fair hearing is required; or a pecuniary interest
First Pay Review Committee
Terms of Reference
- Elect Chair (if delegated by full Governing Body).
- Annually agree the Teachers’ Pay Policy.
- Act in accordance with the Teachers’ Pay Policy when carrying out the annual review of teachers’ salaries.
- Report to the Finance and Premises Committee on pay review related expenditure.
- Consider any requests made in accordance with personnel policies e.g. flexible working, leave of absence etc. (unless delegated to the Headteacher).
- Make any decisions under the personnel procedures adopted by the Governing Body e.g. disciplinary, grievance, ill-health, capability etc. (Unless delegated to the Headteacher).
- Deal with matters relating to staffing reductions.
Meetings: at least annually
Disqualifications: Headteacher; Chair of Governors (if have prior knowledge); where there may be a conflict of interest; any Governor whose spouse/partner is involved; staff (annual pay review and matters relating to staffing reductions)
Appeals Committee
Terms of Reference
- Elect Chair (if delegated by full Governing Body).
- Consider any appeal against a decision made under the personnel procedures adopted by the Governing Body.
- Consider any appeal against a decision made by the First/Pay Review Committee during the annual review of teachers’ salaries.
- Consider any appeal against selection for redundancy through a staffing reduction process.
- Consider complaints against the school in accordance with the agreed school Complaints Procedure.
Meetings: as and when required
Disqualifications: Headteacher; Chair of Governors (if have prior knowledge); any Governor involved in the original hearing; where there may be a conflict of interest; any Governor whose spouse/partner is involved; staff (appeals in relation to salary or staffing reduction decisions)
Headteacher’s Performance Review Committee
Terms of Reference
- Set, with the support of the External Advisor (EA) or Education Development Partner (EDP) Headteacher’s annual performance objectives.
- Monitor throughout the year the performance of the Headteacher against agreed performance objectives.
- Review, with the support of the External Advisor (EA) or Education Development Partner (EDP) achievement of performance objectives.
- Make recommendations to the First/Pay Review Committee in respect of the Headteacher’s annual pay progression.
Meetings: Autumn Term plus monitoring meetings
Disqualifications: Headteacher and staff
Delegation to the Headteacher
School Staffing (England) Regulations 2009.
Appointments:
The Headteacher is delegated responsibility for
- All posts
- Personnel Committee invited to interviews for permanent teaching staff
Dismissals:
- The Headteacher has no delegated responsibility for dismissals.
Christian Ethos Committee
Terms of Reference:
- Plan, monitor and evaluate all aspects of Collective Worship, Religious Education, spiritual development and the Christian Ethos of the school.
Meetings: Termly
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