Governors
Our school governors aim to continue and develop for the 21st Century, a tradition which goes back to the foundation of the school in 1851.
The original school building was opened by Lord Shaftesbury who is commemorated by the statue of Eros in Piccadilly for his pioneering work in the championship and protection of children – a commitment we are proud to maintain.
Governor roles and responsibilities
The Governing Body of St James Hatcham CE Primary School consists of 12 Governors drawn from the wider community that the school covers, including parents, staff, the local churches, Southwark Diocesan Board of Education and the Local Authority. The Governors are responsible for policy and strategy and the Headteacher is responsible for the day to day running of the school. The individual members bring a diversity of knowledge and experience to our school.
The government is encouraging Governors to focus on three core strategic functions:
- Ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction
- Holding the Headteacher to account for the educational performance of the school and its pupils
- Overseeing the financial performance of the school and making sure its money is well spent
The Governing Body has a number of legal responsibilities. It is required to meet at least once a term and is legally responsible, amongst other things, for:
- Arranging for the National Curriculum and its assessment procedures to be carried out
- Arranging for religious education to be carried out
- Deciding how to spend the delegated budget
- Staff appointments, staff pay and grading and other aspects of staff management
- Sex education policy
- Discipline (or behaviour and relationships) policy
- Health and safety policy
- Determining the policy for charging for school activities (e.g. educational visits)
- Determining the admission policy.
The Governing Body works in partnership with our Headteacher, the staff, parents, Local Authority and the Diocese towards the continuing improvement in standards and achievements at our school. Much of the work is carried out through the sub-committees which meet termly. We also have a Faith Group which includes parent and church representatives which ensures that our focus, as a church school is regularly reviewed.
Some Governors take on the responsibility for a specific area such as Mathematics, Special Educational Needs and Safeguarding. This allows the nominated Governor to focus on a particular area, work closely with the relevant staff, and feed back to the full Governing Body.
All Governors are expected to visit the school regularly to get to know the staff and pupils and observe our school at work. The visiting Governor reports back to the full Governing Body to help with the strategic role and future direction for our school.
The school is very fortunate in having a committed and supportive Governing Body that is actively involved. We have also worked hard to make the partnership between home and school a valuable one and to make the school approachable and welcoming.
Our Governors
As at November 2022 onwards
Governor | Class | Subject | Other individual responsibility | Committees/ Working Party |
Mr Malcolm Edwards Foundation Governor Term expires: 01/09/2026 |
Pupil Premium Creative arts; Music; Art; P.E. DT |
Chair of Governing Body. Establish/maintain strong working relationship with HT. Discuss major operational/staffing strategic issues with HT on a regular basis. Fortnightly coffee meeting with HT; Performance Management of Head Teacher New governor roles and responsibilities; Liaise SDBE/LA; representing the school interests Pupil Exclusion Review; Governor self-evaluation |
Strategy Committee | |
Mrs Christine Price Foundation Governor Term expires 24/04/2024 |
Year 2 |
RE Gifted and talented |
Vice Chair of Governing Body Establish/maintain strong working relationship with HT. Pastoral support of Headteacher and staff. |
Strategy Committee Faith Group |
Mrs Sharon Gayle Local Authority Governor Term expires: 12/12/2025 |
Year 1 |
Safeguarding, PSHE, SEND, EAL, LAC Wellbeing & Mental Health Health & Safety |
Safeguarding including Single Central Record Health and safety checks; supporting and liaising with School Business Manager meeting with building consultants. Performance management of Headteacher |
Strategy Committee Premises and Health and Safety Committee Safeguarding & Mental Health Group |
Mrs Marion Williams Foundation Governor Term expires: 20/05/2023 |
Year 3 | Science | Induction and supporting any Governor encountering difficulty in fulfilling their role |
Learning, Achievement & Curriculum Committee
Admissions Committee |
Ms Precious Nas Parent Governor Term expires: 27/06/2025 |
Year 4 | Maths | Parent Forum/ community engagement link governor | Faith Group |
Mrs Christine Hever Foundation Governor Term expires: 07/05/2026 |
Year 6 | Reading | Twitter feed and publicity |
Learning, Achievement & Curriculum Committee
Admissions Committee |
Ms Katherine Wolicki Foundation Governor Term expires: 29/01/2027 |
Year 6 | English | Dragon's Den; Business links; Lifesavers | Publicity Group |
Revd Capt. Kingsley Foundation Incumbent Term expires: 18/10/2026 |
Reception | RE | Rights Respecting Schools, Edible Playgrounds, Sustainable Development Goals, Quality Air | Eco Committee |
Ms Sonia McFarlane Headteacher |
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Mrs Charlie Fabian Deputy Head |
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Ms Marcia Miller Staff Governor Term expires: 23/05/2026 |
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Mrs Shazia Malik Parent Governor Term expires: 22/02/2027 |
Faith Group |
Group | Number & Percentage |
Black Caribbean Heritage | 3 (25%) |
White British | 5 (42%) |
Pakistani | 1 (8%) |
African | 3 (25%) |