St Michael's Woolmer GreenVA C of E School
'Shine as Lights in the World'
Governors
Welcome to our Governors’ section
Our Governing Body actively contributes its skills and expertise to provide strong strategic leadership to support and challenge the School in equal measure. Although this is a voluntary role, Governors have a vital role in ensuring the promotion of high standards of performance and ensuring that resources are well used.
We have two principal sub-committees: Finance and Resources and Learning and Pupil Progress. The responsibilities of the Finance and Resources Committee include, but are not limited to: Finance, Performance Related pay, Human Resources, Health and Safety, the School Buildings and site, Admissions, the Environment for Learning, Safeguarding. The responsibilities of the Learning and Pupil Progress Committee include, but are not limited to: Tracking and Monitoring of School Data, the Curriculum, Pupil Progress, the Quality of Teaching, Safeguarding, SEND, maintaining our Distinctive Christian Ethos. Both committees are involved with the reviewing and adopting of policies
Please find below details of how our Governing body is structured, including the names, categories and terms of appointment for each Governor.
Name | Appointing Body | Term of Office | Committees | Link Areas |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mrs Jan Martin | Head Teacher | Until superseded | Full Governing Body, Finance and Resource, Learning and Pupil Progress, Complaints. | Curriculum, Ofsted, External Advice. |
| Mrs Debbie May | PCC Governor * Chair of Governors | 17th September 2022 - 16th September 2026 | Full Governing Body, Learning and Pupil Progress, Finance and Resource, Admissions, Complaints. | Safeguarding, Early Years, SEND, Pupil Premium, LAC, Early Reading. |
| Mrs Gail Lumsden | PCC Governor * Chair of the Learning and Pupil Progress Committee. | 26th November 2021- 25th November 2025 | Full Governing Body, Learning and Pupil Progress, Complaints. | SIAMS and RE, Maths, Wellbeing. |
| Rev. Christie Gilfeather | PCC Governor * | 3rd July 2022 - 2nd July 2026 | Full Governing Body, Learning and Pupil Progress, Complaints. | Collective Worship. |
| Mrs Karen Wallace-Poultney | PCC Governor * | 18th January 2023 - 17th January 2027 | Full Governing Body, Learning and Pupil Progress, Admissions, Complaints. | Website. |
| Mrs Ashley Cordell | PCC Governor* | 4th December 2023 - 3rd December 2027 | Full Governing Body, Learning and Pupil Progress. | Geography, History, Art. |
| Rev. David Munchin | Ex Officio Governor * | Until superseded | Full Governing Body, Finance and Resource, Complaints. | SIAMS Advisory, Distinctive Christian Ethos, RE, Collective Worship. |
| Mrs Stella Dunlop | LEA Governor Chair of the Finance and Resource Committee. | 1st November 2022 - 31st October 2026 | Full Governing Body, Finance and Resource. | Website, Community Relationships, The Friends, Environmental Issues, Health and Safety, Buildings and Premises. |
Mrs Leah Peters | Staff Governor | 7th March 2022 - 6th March 2026 | Full Governing Body, Learning and Pupil Progress, Admissions. | Admissions, Interventions, Curriculum Days. |
| Mr Jay Nair | DBE Governor* | 23rd March 2023 - 22nd March 2027 | Full Governing Body, Finance and Resource. | Science. |
| Mr Chris Nicholls | Parent Governor | 3rd May 2024 - 2nd May 2028 | Learning and Pupil Progress Committee | |
| Mr James Bainbridge | Parent Governor | 3rd May 2024 - 2nd May 2028 | Finance and Resource Committee | |
| Mrs Abigail Seeley | Clerk to Governors | Until superseded | Full Governing Body, Finance and Resource, Learning and Pupil Progress, Complaints. | |
Governors Whose Term of Office Expired, or Who Retired in the Last 12 Months | ||||
| Mr Tawanda Hondora | Parent Governor | 5th December 2022 - 15th April 2024 | Full Governing Body, Finance and Resource. | Marketing. |
* Foundation Governors
Register of Interests
Below is a record of the register of interests of the Governing Body including business interests, details of any other educational establishments they govern and any personal relationships which may conflict with the individual's duties and authority.
| Name | Business | Financial | Personal | Relationships | Governorships |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mrs Jan Martin | None | None | None | None | None |
| Mrs Gail Lumsden | None | None | Supply teacher at a local primary school. | None | None |
| Mrs Debbie May | None | None | None | None | None |
| Rev. David Munchin | None | None | None | None | Chair of Governors at a local primary school. |
| Mrs Stella Dunlop | None | None | None | Parent of children at the School. | None |
| Mrs Ashley Cordell | None | None | Teacher at local primary school | Parent of children at the School. | None |
| Mrs Leah Peters | None | None | None | None | None |
| Mrs Karen Wallace-Poultney | None | None | SBM at a local primary school. | None | None |
| Mr Jay Nay | None | None | None | Parent of children at the School. | None |
| Rev. Christie Gilfeather | None | None | None | None | None |
| Mr Chris Nicholls | None | None | None | Parent of children at the School. | None |
| Mr James Bainbridge | None | None | None | None | None |
| Mrs Abigail Seeley | None | None | Learning Support Assistant at the School. | None | None |
Governor Attendance 2023-24
The figures below include Full Governor Body meetings, Finance & Resource Committee meetings and Learning & Pupil Progress committee meetings. For full details of this data please click on the link underneath.
| Governor | Number of Meetings Attended |
| Debbie May | 13/13 |
| Jan Martin | 13/13 |
| Gail Lumsden | 10/10 |
| Stella Dunlop | 9/10 |
| Rev. David Munchin | 5/10 |
| Ashley Cordell | 7/8 |
| Leah Peters | 6/7 |
| Rev. Christie Gilfeather | 5/8 |
| Karen Wallace-Poultney | 6/8 |
| Jay Nair | 8/10 |
| Chris Nicholls | 1/1 |
| James Bainbridge | 1/1 |
| Tawanda Hondora | 2/5 |
Governing Body Meeting Dates
Wellbeing at St Michael's Woolmer Green
The wellbeing and mental health of children and staff at St. Michael’s is of paramount importance to the Governors of the school, as is supporting the school in the provision needed for this, looking for wellbeing to be embedded in the curriculum and in other school activities. We support the Wellbeing policy and have a link governor for wellbeing; however, the governing body as a whole continually address and monitor wellbeing. This is done through link visits, conversations and communications, at any time, and in updates at the governor’s meetings. The school wellbeing lead is encouraged to communicate with us as she needs to.
We are confident that the systems in place within the school to provide a positive place of work and learning. This is led by the school vision, ’Shine as lights in the world’, places child and staff wellbeing as a priority and that the school responds at whatever level is needed to support anyone who needs it. These things can happen through, amongst other things, exploring spirituality, daily nurture, learning about the vision and values, ‘My personal best’, SEN provision, staff encouragement of each other, special wellbeing days and in seeking external support from appropriate providers.
Parent Questionnaire
Regularly, the parents are asked to complete a questionnaire that reflects the Ofsted standards. The responses are then analysed and presented to the parents by the Governors. Please see below for the most recent questionnaire results.
Recent Governor Visits
Academic Year 2024-2025
28th November - Attendance
28th November - Sustainability
12th November - Early Years; Early Reading
11th November - Safeguarding
8th November - PE
23rd October - SEND
18th October - Maths
18th October - RE
Academic Year 2023-2024
10th June - RE Visit
3rd May - EYFS
March - SIAMS
4th December - Collective Worship
Academic Year 2022-2023
27th June - Science.
20th June - Single Central Record.
20th June - First Aid.
3rd December - Winter Wonderland.
13th October - Art.
3rd October - Early Reading.
29th September - Maths.
Governor Communications
Governors report regularly to parents either by way of newsletters or presentations at parent consultations. Please see below for recent examples.
Business Plan Summary 2024
Christmas at St Michael's
The governors have been delighted to attend special Christmas services and events this term, Autumn 2024.
Key Stage 1 Nativity
It has been my absolute joy and privilege this morning to join the audience for the Key Stage 1 Nativity – Wriggly Nativity. It was very professionally performed, telling the story through song and dance. The children had learned so many songs, both the words and lots of actions. They told the story with great joy and enthusiasm.
A very big thank you to them and to all the staff involved for bringing the true story of Christmas into our hearts this Christmas.
How to contact the Governors
The Governors can be contacted directly using the email address chair@woolmergreen.herts.sch.uk