Our Governing Body
The role of the governing body is a strategic one with three core functions:
- setting strategic direction
- creating robust accountability
- ensuring best use of financial resources
The work of the governing body is driven by the school improvement plan. Discussions, decisions and actions for governors focus on school finance, staffing matters, use and condition of premises, pupils' wellbeing, curriculum, data and assessment, working with stakeholders, admissions and organisational changes.
The full governing body must meet at least three times per academic year but most meet more frequently through committee meetings. There is an expectation that governors will also undertake monitoring visits into school to find out more about the school throughout the year. Governors work closely with the headteacher and make decisions collectively as a team.
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, please contact NCDAT's Head of Governance, Victoria Miller - V.Miller@ncdat.org.uk
Our Governors
| Name | Position | Term of Office |
Body Appointed or Elected By | Committee | Register of Interests |
Relationship to Staff |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| William Cowie - Chair of Governors | Governor | 07/07/2023- 06/07/2027 |
Governing Body Appointed | Finance, Premises & Personnel Appeals Headteachers Performance |
Member of MRPHS and GPHC Business interest J Dinning (Lumley ) Ltd & J Dinning (Investments) Ltd |
None |
| Karen Telfer - Head Teacher | Executive Headteacher | 28/09/2020 - | Governing Body Appointed | Appeals First/Pay Review Finance, Premises & Personnel Pupils & Curriculum |
Headteacher (Pelton Community Primary) |
None |
| Judith Russell - Deputy Headteacher | Governor | 18/05/2021 - 17/05/2025 |
Governing Body Appointed | Pupils & Curriculum Finance, Premises & Personnel |
Deputy Headteacher (Pelton Community Primary) |
None |
| Jean Carleton - Vice Chair | Governor | 09/09/2023- 08/09/2027 |
Governing Body Appointed | Appeals Finance, Premises & Personnel Pupils & Curriculum Headteachers Performance |
Retired None Declared |
None |
| Wendy Guile | Governor | 18/03/2021- 17/03/2025 |
Governing Body Appointed | Finance, Premises & Personnel Headteachers Performance First/Pay Review |
None Declared | None |
| Dr Damian Parry | Governor | 03/07/2023- 02/07/2027 |
Governing Body Appointed | First/Pay Review Pupils & Curriculum |
None Declared | None |
| Rachel Henry | Staff Governor | 17/05/2021- 16/05/2025 |
Staff Elected | Pupils & Curriculum | Assistant Headteacher & EYFS Lead/Nursery Teacher (Pelton Community Primary) |
None |
| Helen Faulds | Parent Governor | 26/11/2021- 25/11/2025 |
Parent Appointed by Governing Body | Finance, Premises & Personnel First/Pay Review |
None Declared | None |
| Reverend Simon Spencer | Governor | 22/03/2023- 21/03/2027 |
Governing Body Appointed | First/Pay Review Pupils and Curriculum |
Record of Attendance
2023-2024
| Name | Full Governors Gathering 26/09/2023 |
Headteacher Performance Review 24/10/2023 |
Finance, Premises & Personnel Meeting 24/10/2023 |
Pupils & Curriculum Meeting 24/10/2023 |
First/Pay Review Meeting 07/11/2023 |
Full Governors Meeting 14/11/2023 |
Full Governors Meeting 12/03/2024 |
Full Governors Meeting 02/07/2024 |
| Mr William Cowie - Chair of Governors | Present | Present | Present | X | X | A/A | A/A | Present |
| Mrs Karen Telfer - Head Teacher | Present | X | Present | Present | Present | Present | Present | Present |
| Mrs Judith Russell - Deputy Headteacher | A/A | X | Present | Present | X | Present | Present | Present |
| Mrs Jean Carleton | Present | Present | Present | Present | Present | Present | Present | Present |
| Mr David Ward | Present | X | Present | X | X | A/A | X | X |
| Wendy Guile | Present | Present | Present | X | A/A | Present | Present | Present |
| Dr Damian Parry | Present | X | X | Present | Present | Present | Present | A/A |
| Cllr Danny Wood | Present | X | X | A/A | X | Present | X | A/A |
| Mrs Rachel Henry | Present | X | X | Present | X | Present | Present | Present |
| Mrs Helen Faulds | Present | X | Present | X | Present | Present | X | Present |
| Reverend Simon Spencer | Present | X | X | Present | A/A | Present | Present | Present |
Governing Body Resigned Members
| Cllr Danny Wood | Local Authority | 27/11/2020- 26/11/2024 |
Governing Body Appointed | Appeals Pupils & Curriculum |
Durham County Councillor Pelton Parish Councillor Labour Party Member Governor at another Primary School in Durham |
None |