Welcome to our Governors' section. 

The Governing Body and School Leadership – Working in Partnership

The Governing Body provides the strategic management and long-term direction for the school; it constantly challenges the schools leadership to ensure that standards are high and maintained.  Governors act, not as individuals but as a group to support the work of the Head Teacher, staff and pupils.

The Governing Body of Woodville Schools Federation meet six times a year to review and support the leadership and management of the schools, to discuss the standard of education being provided for the children and to ensure the on-going improvement of the schools. Our governors visit the schools regularly and work in partnership with the Executive Headteacher and the staff.

What is the composition of our Governing Body?

The Governing Body of Woodville Schools Federation is led by Mr Stephen Taylor (Chair of Governors), elected by the Governing Body from within its membership.  Staff members, including the Head Teacher, cannot be elected to this office.  The term of office for our Governors is set at 4 years.

Our Governing body is made up of key stakeholders:

• Parents (2) – Parent Governors are elected by other parents at the school.
• Staff (1) – Staff Governors are elected by the school staff.
• Co-opted (7) – the Governing Body appoints Co-opted Governors i.e. members of the local community.
• Ex-Officio (1)– The Leicester Diocesan Board of Education appoints the Ex-Officio governor.                          
• Local Authority (1) – Derbyshire Local Authority appoints a Local Authority Governor.
• Foundation Governor (1) – The Leicester Diocesan Board of Education appoints the Foundation governor.
• Headteacher (1) – Appointed by virtue of  post held in school.
• Associate Members (2) – By virtue of post held in school (Heads of Schools)

Who are our Governors?

You may contact the Chair of Governors, Mr Stephen Taylor, via the school office. Please mark any correspondence clearly for Mr Taylor’s attention and the office will make sure it is forwarded to him immediately. Alternatively you can speak to Mrs Puszczynska directly and ask for email and /or telephone details for Mr Taylor.

Register of Financial and Business Interests - Reviewed Sept. 2021

All School Governors are required to declare any interests they may have, which may result in a conflict of interests when decisions are being made by the Governing Body.  This includes: ownership of a company or organisation which may supply goods or services to the school, a close relationship with someone who may provide goods or services to the school, a close relationship with someone who is employed by the school, or being a Governor or staff member at another school.

The following interests have been declared by our Governors:

Mr Stephen Taylor – South Derbyshire District Councillor and Woodville Parish Councillor

Mr Ben Phoenix-Langston - Husband to a member of staff

Mrs Amy Budworth - Temporary class teacher in Woodville Infant School

Governors Attendance At Meetings 2020 -21

What are the aims of our Governing Body?

Our Governors have responsibility for raising school standards through their three key roles of setting strategic direction, ensuring accountability and monitoring & evaluating school performance. 

Our aims are:

1. To take responsibility for the management of the schools in partnership with the Executive Headteacher.
2. To represent the wider community, bringing talents and skills to be shared for the good of the schools.
3. To monitor standards in the schools and to work together to ensure continuous improvement.
4. To ensure value for money.
5. To be “critical friends” to the staff team and offer a high degree of challenge.
6. To ensure that whatever decisions are made are always mindful of the best interests of the children.

Our governors are very involved in the day to day running of our school and can often be seen visiting classes and talking with children. Afterwards governors write a brief record of their visit which is shared with the staff and the full governing body at the next meeting. These visit records help to inform future decisions and are critical in supporting school improvement planning.