Our Governors
The Governing Body
The school’s Governing Body has ten members who as a collective have a range of roles and responsibilities, which ensure that the school operates efficiently and effectively. They have regular meetings to discuss the school’s finances, staffing, curriculum and buildings. The Governing Body works closely with the Headteacher and representatives from the Local Authority and the Diocese of Durham. The Governing Body has three core functions:
- Ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction;
- Holding leaders to account for the educational performance of the organisation and its pupils, and the performance management of staff;
- Overseeing the financial performance of the organisation and making sure its money is well spent.
The Governing Body carries out a very important job behind the scenes in supporting and challenging the school staff to improve the outcomes for children. We work closely as a team particularly with the Headteacher and senior staff on a wide variety of tasks which include:
- Developing a strategic plan for the school;
- Determining school aims, policies and priorities;
- Setting targets;
- Monitoring and evaluating the work of the school;
- Appointing staff;
- Managing the budget;
- Securing high levels of attendance and good standards of pupil behaviour;
- Ensuring that all children in the school have access to a broad and balanced curriculum;
- Ensuring the health and safety and safeguarding of pupils and staff.
These are just some of the tasks that as governors we are responsible for. Some of these things may seem complicated or at least a bit dull! But we can honestly say that we really enjoy the huge satisfaction we get from seeing how rapidly the school is improving and feel valued for our part in it. We are a strong team with a variety of skills who work well together and have a shared commitment to continuing the journey together for the benefit of all our children in the future.
Governors can be contacted via the school office on 0191 3882328
Governing Body Members
| Barbara Wells | Chair of Governors |
| Rachel Orr | Vice Chair of Governors / Foundation Governor |
| Rachel Butler | Headteacher |
| Sean Mulligan | Staff Governor |
| Tracie Smith | Local Authority Governor |
| Michael McRae | Parent Governor |
| Matt Strand | Foundation Governor |
| Norman Shave | Foundation Governor |
| Andy Barnes | Parent Governor |
Our Governing Body Action Plan
Governing Body Action Plan 2025-2026
Governing Body Committee Structure
| Name | Role | Term of Office Start and End date |
Committee | Responsibilities / Special Interests | Register of Interests |
Relationship to Staff |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mrs Barbara Wells |
Chair of Governors Co-opted Governor |
24/02/2025 - 24/02/2029 | Finance and Premises Headteacher Appraisal, Appeals, Staffing |
Equalities, Safeguarding, Looked After Children, Health and Safety | Justice of the Peace sitting on the County Durham and Darlington bench |
None |
| Ms Rachel Butler | Headteacher | Curriculum and Standards Finance, Appeals and Staffing |
Headteacher at Chester-le-Street CE Primary | None | ||
| Mr Sean Mulligan | Staff | 20/09/2021 - 12/10/2029 | Curriculum and Standards | Staff Governor, Chairman of North Shields Football Club, Trustee of Northumberland Scouts |
None | |
| Councillor Tracie Smith | Local Authority Governor | 01/01/2025 - 31/12/2028 | Appeals Staffing Finance and Premises Appeals |
PE and Sports Premium, Community | None | |
|
Rev Matthew Strand
|
Vice Chair Foundation Governor |
30/03/2022 - 30/02/2026 | Curriculum and Standards | STEM, SIAMS | None | |
| Ms Rachel Orr | Foundation Governor | 07/04/2022 - 06/04/2026 | Finance and Premises, Curriculum and Standards, Staffing, Headteachers Performance | Online Safety, EYFS, English including Phonics and Early Reading | None | |
| Mr Michael McRae | Parent Governor | 19/01/2023 - 18/01/2027 | Appeals and Curriculum and Standards | Arts, Music, Pupil Premium, SEND and Behaviour | None | |
| Mr Norman Shave | Foundation Governor | 12/09/2025 - 11/09/2029 | None | |||
| Mr Andrew Barnes | Parent Governor |
Governing Body Terms of Reference and Code of Conduct
You can view or download the Governing Body Terms of Reference which explains the duties of the Governing Body, the roles and responsibilities of the Headteacher or Acting Headteacher and Local Authority, the role of the Chair of the Governing Body, the Constitution and Conduct of the Governing Body and its procedures by clicking on the link below:
The members of the Governing Body at Chester-le-Street CE Primary School adhere to the following Code of Conduct:
Chester-Le-Street Code of Conduct
Governing Body Register of Interests
Governing Body Diversity
Group Diversity Chester-Le-Street CofE
Statutory Guidance for Governing Bodies
Chester-le-Street CE Primary School adhere to the statutory guidance from the Department for Education. This means that governing bodies must have regard to it when carrying out duties relating to the constitution of governing bodies in maintained schools. For further information please view or download the documents below:
The constitution of governing bodies of maintained schools 2017
