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Governing Body

The Governors of Cromford Church of England Primary School

All schools in England have a Governing Body which is responsible for overseeing many of the strategic decisions of the school. A key role is to act as a ‘critical friend’: to support, to challenge, to ask questions and ultimately to represent the school community.

The Governing Body works in close partnership with the Headteacher, staff and the local authority. Whilst the Headteacher is responsible for the day to day running of the school, the governors have a more strategic role involved with such things as staffing, curriculum, school buildings and finance. It ensures the school functions well and maintains the proper range of academic and social objectives.

Governing Body meetings

The Governing Body holds five governor meetings in an academic year to meet and review the progress of the school.  The Governing Body meetings for 2022/23 are as follows:

  • Thursday 29th September 2022
  • Thursday 8th  December 2022
  • Thursday 23rd March 2023 – Budget Approval
  • Thursday 4th May 2023
  • Thursday 13th July 2023

The Governing Body also has committees to deal with specific details of governing the school.  These committees report back to the Governing Body meetings. 

Named Governors

A number of governors are also ‘Named Governors’ with responsibilities to review curriculum and other areas of the school’s role.  Each named governor meets the subject leader in school who is responsible for that subject area.

Governing Body Information

In December 2014 the governing body elected to reconstitute under ‘The School Governance (Constitution) (England) Regulations 2012’.   The standard term of office for a governor is four years. The Chair and Vice-Chair are elected annually at the first meeting of the academic year.

The Chair of Governors is Alison Whittaker who can be contacted via her school email AWhittaker@cromford.derbyshire.sch.uk

The Vice-Chair of Governors is Gill Donaldson.

The Governing Body is made up of 13 governors divided into 5 governor categories.

Current Vacancies
  • Parent Governor Vacancies (2)
  • Foundation Governor (Ex-Officio)   

Register of Business Interests for the Governors of Cromford Primary School 2022-2023

Governor Name

 

Governor Category

Term of Office Expiry

Nature of Business/Personal Interest

 

Meeting Attendance 2021/22

Gill Donaldson

Co-opted

31st Aug 2023

None declared

4/4

Peter Binks

Co-opted

30th March 2026

  • Past Governor, St James School Derby
  • Wyvern Rail plc – Director
  • Ministry of Justice - Retired Justice of the Peace

2/2

Alison Whittaker

Co-opted

14th July 2025

None declared

3/4

Helen Wallace

Co-opted

28th September 2026

None declared

n/a

Gill Ambrose

Foundation

30th  Jun 2026

None declared

4/4

Julie Taylor

Foundation

31st Aug 2025

None declared

4/4

Liz  Foster

Headteacher

n/a

None declared

4/4

Stephanie Watson

Local Authority

26th April 2025

None declared

3/4

Chris Smartt

Parent

2nd July 2023

  • Wife (Alys Smartt) occasionally rents the school hall for private use

4/4

Philip Curzon

Parent

25th Feb 2024

None declared

4/4

Helen Quick

Staff

24th November 2025

None declared

4/4

 

Simon Gough-Rundle

Parent

Resigned November 2021

Glyn Knighton

Co-opted

Resigned July 2022

 

2 x Parent Governor Vacancies

1 x Foundation Governor (Ex-Officio)

 

October 2022