Effective governance is crucial to the success of schools and academy trusts. The Governance Guide sets out the key elements of effective governance as:
Strategic leadership that sets and champions vision, ethos and strategy;
Accountability that drives up educational standards and financial performance, and effectively manages risk;
People with the right skills, experience, qualities and capacity;
Structures which reinforce clearly defined roles and responsibilities;
Compliance with statutory and contractual requirements; and
Evaluation to monitor and improve the quality and impact of governance.
Churchfield’s Local Governing Body includes parents (elected by the school's parent body), members of staff (elected by the school staff) and co-opted local governors (appointed by the local governing body and/or the Trustees, because they have the skills required to contribute to the effective governance and success of the school).
The school is overseen by the Board of Trustees for the Quality First Education Trust. The Trust Scheme of Delegation sets out how certain roles and responsibilities are delegated to the local governors of each school.
Churchfield’s LGB works as a team of local governors to challenge, monitor and support the school, to make sure it provides a good quality education for its pupils. There are normally two full Local Governing Body meetings per term.
In addition to attending meetings, local governors may take on a link or lead role for an aspect of the school. As part of this link role, they will undertake pre-arranged visits and/or work with members of staff to monitor particular aspects of provision, and report back to the Local Governing Body. All governors are appointed on a 4 year term.
If you wish to contact the Local Governing Body you can do so via the School Office.
Meet the Local Governing Body
Karen Parkinson
Chair of Governors Co-opted Governor, current term of office March 2020 to March 2024
After joining Churchfields as a co-opted governor in 2016, I have been able to support the Churchfields team in a range of roles whilst on the local governing body.
I bring over 15 years experience in education and special needs support to the board. I run a private tutoring service; as well as an online children’s book shop. I am passionate about making education accessible to all, giving children as many life experiences and opportunities as possible and ensuring that all children nurture a love of reading.
As Chair of Governors, I will work alongside the Churchfields team to ensure that we aim for high standards and give the support to our pupils and staff so that we deliver on our promise of a first class education for all. I also serve as a Trustee on the Q1E Trust board.
Amara Jacobs
Co-opted Governor, current term of office July 2022 to July 2026
Tess Marjoram
Elected Parent Governor, current term of office Jan 2022 to Jan 2026
With two children attending the school, I was elected to join Churchfields LGB as a parent governor in 2022.
Professionally, I have two decades of experience working in business development, marketing and communications for high profile architecture practices and built environment agencies. Developing new strategies and relationships are some of my key strengths.
I aim to represent the Churchfields community within the LGB, utilising my range of skills and experience to work alongside the excellent team at Churchfields to improve on their high standards for all children.
Rachael Talmage
Elected Parent Governor, current term of office March 2023 to March 2027
Safeguarding link governor
Liz Williams
Staff Governor, current term of office March 2024 to March 2028
Liz Williams is an experienced class teacher and our computing specialist teacher at Churchfields Primary School. She was elected to the LGB by the staff.
Karen Parkinson
Amara Jacobs
Tess Marjoram 