Governors
The Governing Body of Thurton CE Primary School
Our School Governance Statement:
‘The Governing Body actively promotes effective spiritual, moral, social and cultural development alongside inspiring teaching to provide an exceptional learning environment where pupils love to learn.’
The Governing Body of Thurton CE Primary School have adopted the Circle Model of Governance.
What is the Circle Model of Governance?
The Circle Model of Governance empowers schools and academies to streamline their decision-making processes by reducing the reliance on commitee meetings in favour of a more consolidated approach.
Effective governance is based on six key features:
• Strategic leadership – sets and champions vision ethos and strategy.
• Accountability – drives up educational standards and financial performance.
• People – with the right skills, experience, qualities and capacity.
• Structure – that reinforce clearly defined roles and responsibilities.
• Compliance – with statutory and contractual requirements.
• Evaluation – to monitor and improve the quality and impact of governance.
The three core purposes of governance are:
• Ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction.
• Holding executive leaders to account for the education performance of the organisation and its pupils, and the effective and efficient performance management of staff.
• Overseeing the financial performance of the organisation and making sure its money is well spent.
School Governors are members of the school’s Governing Body. They have responsibility for raising school standards through their three key roles of setting the strategic direction, ensuring accountability for financial spending and monitoring and evaluating school performance. Governors are the largest volunteer force in the country. The Governing Body is made up of the following members: the Headteacher, a member of school staff, parents, members of the community, church representatives and appointed representatives from the Local Authority.
Governor Hub – all information for the Thurton School Governors is kept on this virtual learning environment (VLE).
Constitution-Thurton Primary School
(Minutes of Full Governor Meetings, which do not include strictly confidential information, are available upon request from the Headteacher.)
If a committee or working party is required to be established, examples of terms of reference for different committees can be found here:
Committees and Terms of Reference
Who can become a school governor?
All types of people can become school governors. There are no special qualifications required, but you must be 18 or over on the date when elected or appointed. Enthusiasm, commitment and an interest in education are the most important qualities. If you are a Parent Governor, you will not just be thinking about your own children but all the children and the long–term future of the school. However, to be a Governor, you do not need to have a child at the school or even know anyone in the school, just a desire to be involved with our school, to help it become the best it can be. All Governors are expected to have a clear DBS(Disclosure and Barring Service – this used to be known as a CRB, Criminal Records Bureau)before they become a school governor.
The full Governing Body meet six times a year, once per half-term. Each member of the Governing Body is given a role and responsibility. They may also be appointed to a committee or working group as required.
Types of Governors
Local Authority Governor – appointed by the LEA
Mr Gary Corbett
‘I have worked for the Local Authority since 1976, moving to Thurton with my wife Nicki in 1980, our two children and 5 of our grandchildren have all attended Thurton Pre-school, Thurton VC School and then to Hobart, an endorsement on how positively we support education with our local schools, especially the early years of their education—they are all doing well. It is for me, being a Governor to use my life experiences to contribute and care for the future of both the school, children attending, importantly supporting the teaching and support staff throughout the year. Governors help strategically with the direction of the school and its development, supportive to the Head- critical where required and accountable to stakeholders. I hope to provide a listening ear and always ask if I am unsure and question where necessary. In my free time, I enjoy sailing and paddle boarding locally, walking usually with our daughters two Labs if local. Watching my grandchildren’s love of football and I volunteer for a local charity Waveney Stardust Trust.’
Parent Governors– elected by other parents at school, or where there is no competition, appointed by the Governing Body.
Mrs Sorrel Kelly
‘Hello, I’m Sorrel, mother to Luca, Finnley and Adalye, all who attend Thurton Primary School. I live locally and love contributing and being part of our wonderful community both within our village and within Team Thurton. I have worked in education in various capacities while gaining a Masters in Early Childhood Development and currently work at Thurton and Ashby St Mary Preschool. I am passionate about supporting all young children in becoming lifelong learners full of respect, compassion, adventure and who attain a desire to do great things.’
Co-Opted Governors– appointed by the Governing body, for example because they represent community interests or have particular skills
Mrs Laura Butler
‘Hello, I’m Laura. I joined the Governing Board in December 2022 as a Co-opted Governor. I live in Ashby St Mary with my husband, Gavin, and our two boys, Henry and Hugo. As a teacher myself, I passionately believe all children deserve access to the highest quality education and I feel privileged to support Thurton Primary School in their continuous efforts to deliver this. Since I started teaching in 2008, I’ve had the opportunity to work in a diverse range of schools: from inner city schools in Special Measures on journeys of rapid school improvement; to a boarding school in rural Norfolk; leading international schools in both Thailand and China; and currently, a school whose GCSE results place them in the top 50 schools for progress in the country. I have held a range of middle and senior leadership roles, mostly focused on improving standards of teaching and learning, and I have an MA in Educational Leadership from Warwick University. I am particularly interested in educational neuroscience and how we can use what we know about the brain to help promote a child’s learning. Unsurprisingly as an English teacher, I am also obsessed with encouraging children to love reading, and I never tire of browsing the children’s shelves of a good bookshop!’
Mr Ian Taylor
‘I am writing to introduce myself and explain a little of my background. I am passionate about young people becoming lifelong learners and how important the first step along that road is. I worked in our local High school for a number of years in different roles and also as a staff governor, on the school governing body. The one thing this taught me is the importance of a good robust Governing Body for a school that helps and supports the Head and the staff at the school to provide an exceptional learning environment where pupils not only love to learn but become lifelong learners. That is exactly what I would like to do for Thurton CE Primary School following the three key roles. Setting the strategic direction, ensuring accountability for financial spending, monitoring and evaluating the school’s performance. I look forward to joining the other governors in supporting Thurton CE Primary School staff to enable the pupils to enjoy, achieve, believe.’
Foundation Governors– appointed by the Diocese and are representatives on behalf of the local church. These governors do not have to be regular Church attendees but have to believe in the philosophy and ethos of the Church.
Mr Paul Carter
‘I have lived at Claxton for over 30 years having made the move from Newbury, Berkshire in 1989. However, I was born in Devonport, Plymouth where I attended a boys grammar school and subsequently studied at Universities in Wales and Birmingham before being appointed one of HM Inspector of Factories in 1979. My career with the Health and Safety Executive over ~ 40 years as a senior regulator involved staff management, policy development, partnership working, inspection, investigation of work-related accidents/incidents, enforcement, legal casework and representational work as a UK invited expert attending the European Chemicals Agency Forum (ECHA) in Helsinki. Although semi-retired, I am still involved in risk management as an associate trainer for the Health and Safety Executive delivering NEBOSH/HSE courses in Risk Assessment at Work and Incident Investigation. My three daughters were all educated locally and attended Universities across the country. They now work as primary school teachers in Norfolk and in music education in the West Midlands. My wife, Sarah was a school governor and classroom assistant at Rockland St. Mary Primary School for many years. As a foundation governor, my aim is to apply my professional experience, my interests in science, natural history, biodiversity, music performance and role both as a Trustee of the Claxton Parish Pit Charity and as a Churchwarden within the Rockland Benefice, to contribute positively to the educational and pastoral experience of all those who attend Thurton CE Primary School. I believe that education should provide children with the opportunities to develop their intellectual, sporting, creative and spiritual potential, to become good citizens, tolerant, inclusive and with a strong sense of purpose, curiosity, responsibility and engagement within their families and communities.’
Foundation Bishop Appointed Governor
Mrs Anne Dring
‘I’ve been a school governor since September 2016. My aim is to give the children every opportunity and encouragement to achieve the best they can during their time at school. I was a school librarian for many years before retirement, so am fully aware how reading helps in every aspect of life – not just literacy. I visit Blue class every week to support the children in their learning, and Red class every week to listen to readers. I love music and am a member of three choirs in Beccles. I am on the Curriculum Committee and Ethos Committee. Thurton school is a place where we can share our skills for the benefit of the school and wider community. I am a committed Christian, part of Thurton church but mainly Holy Trinity church in Norwich.’
Staff Governors– elected by the school staff. Head teacher is a governor by virtue of his position.
Mr Jonathan Barber – Head teacher
Miss Laura Debenham – Class teacher
If you wish to contact the Governing Body please address correspondence to the Chair of Governors via the main school office.
If your contact is the result of a complaint please follow the steps outlined in the complaints policy available in the office or on this website in Queries
Minutes of Governor meetings are available on request to the Headteacher.
The partnership in practice – who does what?
| Area | Headteacher (HT) | Governing Body (GB) |
| Overall responsibilities |
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| Funding and policy making |
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| Curriculum |
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| Staffing |
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| Appointments |
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| Finance |
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| Salaries |
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| Personnel | Day to day management of staff. | Deals with personnel issues if issues occur. |