Welcome to our Governors’ section
A warm welcome from the Governing Board
Thank you for visiting us! We are volunteers who are passionate about children and their educational needs and we have chosen Bolton Primary School, for a number of wonderful reasons including being parents to some of the children in the school, wanting to support the highest quality learning and support educating your children.
In order to make sure we do this effectively, we have three core responsibilities:
We want to do the best we can to support children's learning, development and their environment. We want to ensure the curriculum is rich and varied and as the chair of governors want to assure you that every child matters. You may see board volunteers around the schools as some come into school to support children with activities.
Please find below details of how our Governing body is structured, including the names, categories, responsibilities and terms of appointment for each Governor.
Name: Mrs Ruth Elstone
Appointment: Headteacher
Dates: 1st September 2017
Committees: All
Other Roles: Designated Safeguarding Lead, English (KS2) Lead, World Views & Religion Lead, PHSE Lead
Name: Mrs Debbie Tinkler (currently on maternity leave)
Appointment: Staff Governor
Dates: 17th June 2020
Committees: CCC
Other Roles: Deputy Safeguarding Lead, Early Years Lead, English (KS1) Lead, Computing Lead, Music Lead
Name: Miss Heather Lowthian
Appointment: Staff Governor during Debbie Tinkler's maternity leave
Dates: 27th December 2021
Committees: CCC
Other Roles: SENCO, Science Lead
Lisa Wilson - Chair of Governors
I am Chair of Governors (since Sept 21). My main curricular areas of responsibility are SEND and English. I provide a parental perspective to the Board of Governors. My two youngest children attend Bolton Primary School and are in Key Stage Two.
My eldest son was born with disabilities and learning difficulties. He currently attends James Rennie in Carlisle within their post 16 setting.
We live on the family farm in Appleby. In our spare time we enjoy the freedom of the great outdoors.
Appointment: Chair of Governors
Appointed by: GB/board
Date: 20th November 2019
Committees: CCC
Other Roles: Monitoring Governor for SEND & English
Mike Innerdale - (supporting) Chair of Governors
My role involves supporting Ruth and Lisa in the leadership of the school and making sure we have a clear plan for the future and the Governing Body actively champions the values of the school and monitors the priorities for improvement. I work full time as Regional Director for National Trust and live locally in Colby, spending our family time out and about in the Lakes. I have particular responsibility for monitoring Art and Design Technology throughout the school.
Appointment: Supporting Chair of Governors
Appointed by: GB/board
Date: 19th September 2013
Committees: CCC
Other Roles: Monitoring Governor for Art & Design and Design Technology
Kaya Bennett - Co-opted Governor
Hi I’m Kaya, I'm a co-opted governor. I am also the manager of Bolton Nursery next door to the school. I’m on the education committee and my main area of interest is in the Early Years. I currently have two children attending the school in Year 1 and Year 4. When not working I enjoy lots of walks in the countryside with my two dogs. I have a real passion for early education and look forward to supporting the school in any way I can. My main areas of responsibility are Safeguarding, Science and the EYFS.
Appointment: Co-opted
Appointed by: GB/board
Date: 20th January 2020
Committees: CCC
Other Roles: Monitoring Governor for Safeguarding, Early Years and Science
Bronwen Maxwell - Co-opted governor
I was delighted to become a co-opted governor in 2020. I have specific governor responsibility for supporting the school to achieve its aims in relation to curriculum development, maths and religion and world views. As a Professor of Education I spend much of my time evaluating educational policies and practices and researching how school leaders and teachers can make best use of evidence to support the best outcomes for children. In my spare time I enjoy fell walking, trekking and gardening.
Appointment: Co-opted
Appointed by: GB/board
Date: 18th June 2020
Committees: CCC
Other Roles: Chair of CCC & Monitoring Governor for Maths & World Views and Religion
Walter Head - Co-opted governor
My wife and I moved to Bolton almost 3 years ago when I retired. We have 3 grown up children and one grandchild with another on the way. I grew up in the North East and we moved around due to work. In my spare time, I enjoy motorcycling and scuba diving. In addition to a School Governor, I am a Parish Councillor and Chairman of the Bolton Hall Trustees. I am responsible for History, which I have a real passion for. I am also responsible for PHSE and RHSE.
Appointment: Co-opted
Appointed by: GB/board
Date: 1st May 2021
Committees: SF&P
Other Roles: Monitoring Governor for History, PHSE & RHSE
Marilyn Tinkler - Co-opted Governor
I am very happy to be a Co opted Governor for the school, I am on the Staffing, Finance and Premises committee, my subjects are ICT and Music. I have been an educator for more than 30 years. The early part of my career as a Nursery Nurse, Teaching Assistant, Secondary Teacher of Art, D&T and PHSE and more recently as The Learning Services Coordinator and Health and Social Care / Childcare and Education Lecturer in a Further and Higher Education College. I also work as a consultant and as an International Schools Project Ambassador for The British Council. I have my own small business - an online florist and gift shop. I grew up and still live locally. My Grandson attends the school.
Appointment: Co-opted
Appointed by: GB/board
Date: September 2021
Committees: SF&P
Other Roles: Monitoring Governor for Computing and Music
Roy Ashley - Co-opted governor
Appointment: Co-opted
Appointed by: GB/board
Date: November 2021
Committees:
Other Roles: Monitoring Governor for Geography & French
Communication from Governors to Parents 2021/2022
November/December 2021
Governor News – We are looking for a governor to join the team, ideally with an interest/ background
in Health and Safety. Do you know anyone who may be willing to support the school in a rewarding
role? Please contact Ruth or Lisa (Chair of Governors) if you do. lisa@bolton.cumbria.sch.uk
New governor appointment – We welcome Roy Ashley who has kindly joined the governing body. He
will be working on the Staffing, Finance and Premises committee and is now governor for Geography
and French. Thank you, Roy – we value your support.
September/October 2021
Governors Update
Last week we had our first Governor meeting of the academic year. This is the meeting where we agree the roles of the Governing body and sign off key plans. Firstly, I would like to welcome Marilyn Tinkler onto the Governing Body. Most of you will know Marilyn from her role leading and working with the school on the Erasmus Programme - her knowledge and experience will be a great addition to the Governing Body. It was the last meeting for Neil Austin, who has decided to stand down at the end of his second term as a Governor - that's 8 years! Neil has done so much to support the school over this time, bringing his expertise in Finance, IT and people management to the school. He leaves a big hole in the team but we thank him so much for all he has done for the school over this time.
We have now appointed a new Chair - Lisa Wilson. I really appreciate Lisa picking up the Chair mantle from myself as I will look to step down at the end of the year from being a Governor now that my children have left the school. I know Lisa will be a brilliant Chair, bringing her passion for education and school life to the role. This will be a transition year, with Lisa and myself sharing out duties between us as I have been appointed to the Vice Chair role. With Neil leaving, Ric Hall has been appointed as Chair of Staffing, Finance and Premises Committee and Bronwen Maxwell continues as Chair of Children and Curriculum Committee.
At the meeting we also discussed and signed off the excellent School Improvement Plan that Ruth has spent the summer drafting. This sets out the priorities for the school year ahead and key actions we will be taking to continue to improve the school across all aspects of school life. This year our focus will be on improving Writing and Maths, while continuing the ongoing work to keep Reading at levels that we reached last year. The ongoing support of parents will be critical in this and I would really recommend you having a look at the website and dipping into the Plan.
I'm looking forward to see the school continue to flourish in the year ahead and it's great to see children out and about at enjoying school trips and sports matches again.
Mike Innerdale
Vice Chair
What is a Governing Body?
Every school has to have a Governing Body which usually includes the Head Teacher, parents, staff, and community representatives. All members of the Governing Body are volunteers and give up their own time for the school.
A Governing Body has provides strategic leadership and accountability in the school. It has three key functions:
The Governing Body is committed to working for the benefit of the school and is always happy to receive your feedback. If you are interested in becoming a Governor, or want more information about our role, please feel free to chat informally to any of our Parent Governors or contact the Head Teacher for further information.
What is a School Governor?
School governors are volunteers who help to run the school. Most schools work with a group of governors - together they’re called the 'governing body'. They are involved in decisions about all aspects of managing the school – such as running buildings and budgets, supporting staff and setting standards of school discipline.
Governors also help to make big decisions about the School’s long-term goals. They support the Head Teacher, but also ask questions and make sure the Leadership Team is taking the school in the right direction.
Who can be a School Governor?
Anyone over 18 can be a school / academy governor – you don’t have to be a parent with a child at the school. However, every governing body includes parent governors, and it can be a rewarding way to be involved in your child’s school.
The most important qualities for being a governor are enthusiasm, commitment and an interest in education. You don’t need teaching experience, but it useful to bring skills from other areas of your life as we need a mix of skills on the Board.
The Governing Body is made up of different types of Governors, these are: -
What does the role involve?
You will need to be able to work well in a team, as you will be making joint decisions on policy.
As a governor you’ll probably need to attend up to six governing body meetings during the year. These usually take place on an evening. There are also termly sub committees and some task and finishes type groups. In addition, it would be expected that you visit the school at least half termly so that you have experience and a genuine understanding of the school, while also carrying out the monitoring aspects of your role (e.g. thematic of subject areas)
As a governor you will get the chance to use your own experience and life beyond school to inform conversations and your perspective and insight to inform decision making in the interests of the school community. It will give you a chance to develop and utilise your skills in a board-level environment and make a value contribution to education and our community.
The role usually lasts for a term of 4 years, although these can be extended depending on the need and personal situation of individual Governors.
How do I become a School Governor?
If you are interested in becoming a governor, talk to the current chair of governors, Lisa Wilson, who leads the board. When there’s a vacancy for a parent governor all parents will be informed, and you will have a chance to stand for election.
You can also contact Ruth Elstone, Head Teacher who can be contacted at the school address in writing
Before you put yourself forward, if you are employed please talk to your employer. Many employers recognise the role of school governor as useful work experience and may offer paid leave as part of their initiative to give back to the community. It may also be helpful to speak to current Parent Governors about the role.
Accessing the Minutes of Governor Meetings
The minutes of all meetings are taken and signed off as true and correct record of the meeting. The clerk to Governors carries out this role and a copy of the minutes can then be requested by parents and wider community if they wish. Actions are progressed between meetings and updated at the following committee to track delivery and accountability.
Terms of Reference – Bolton Primary School Governing Body
The following terms of reference, including those delegated to committees, apply to the Governing Body as a whole.
There will be two Full Governor Body Meetings each term - the first one of the term focused on core Governance duties – known as Business (Policies, termly Head Teacher Report, Budget and other core role and committee updates (see standard agenda template).
The second meeting of the term will be focused on Curriculum and Children's Learning (replacing the previous delegated committee) to include the following:
Staffing, Finance and Premises Committee
Overall responsibilities and remit:
1. Staffing
2. Finance
3. Premises
(improvement)
Governor Meeting Dates 2021/2022
FGB Curriculum & Children's Learning and Well-being
25th November 2021 at 7pm
24th March 2022 at 7pm
7th July 2022 at 7pm
FGB Business
27th January 2022 at 7pm
26th May 2022 at 7pm
SF&P
3rd February 2022 at 4pm
12th May 2022 at 4pm
Governing Body Membership 2020/21
Name of governor | e-mail address | Governor catergory | Committee | Term of Office | Declarations September 2020 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ruth Elstone | head@bolton.cumbria.sch.uk | Headteacher | All | Ex-officio | None |
Mike Innerdale | mike.innerdale@bolton,cumbria.sch.uk | Parent FGB Chair | CCC | 18.9.2021 | None |
Debbie Tinkler | eyfs@bolton.cumbria.sch.uk | Staff | CCC | 17.6.2024 | None |
Lisa Wilson | lisa@bolton.cumbria.sch.uk | Parent | SF&P | 20.11.2023 | None |
Neil Austin | neil.austin@bolton.cumbria.sch.uk | Parent Chair of Finance | SF&P | 18.09.2021 | None |
Andrew Booth | andrew.booth@bolton.cumbria.sch.uk | co-opted | SF&P | 04.10.2021 | None |
Ric Hall | ric.hall@bolton.cumbria.sch.uk | co-opted | SF&P | 25.03.2023 | None |
Kaya Bennett | kaya@bolton.cumbria.sch.uk | co-opted | CCC | 20.01.2024 | None |
Bronwen Maxwell | bronwen@bolton.cumbria.sch.uk | co-opted | CCC | 18.06.2024 | None |
Walter Head | walter@bolton.cumbria.sch.uk | co-opted | SF&P | 15.03.2024 | None |
Name | 2018/19 | 2019/20 | 2020/21 |
---|---|---|---|
Ruth Elstone | 4/4 | 5/5 | 4/4 |
Mike Innerdale | 4/4 | 3/5 | 4/4 |
Debbie Tinkler - appointed June 2020 | n/a | 1/1 | 3/4 |
Lisa Wilson - appointed November 2019 | n/a | 4/4 | 3/4 |
Neil Austin | 2/4 | 5/5 | 4/4 |
Andrew Booth | 3/4 | 5/5 | 4/4 |
Ric Hall | 2/2 | 5/5 | 4/4 |
Kaya Bennett - appointed January 2020 | n/a | 4/4 | 4/4 |
Bronwen Maxwell - appointed June 2020 | n/a | 1/1 | 4/4 |
Walter Head - appointed March 2021 | n/a | n/a | 1/1 |