The role of a Governing Body is to help ensure that the education of all pupils is the best in can be. They ensure that we have is a clear vision, ethos and strategic direction through the school’s development plan.
Whilst Governors are not involved in operational matters they do support and hold the headteacher to account in carrying out their professional role, including the performance management of the teachers. Through meetings, visits and questioning Governors ensure that the best possible decisions are made for the school and its pupils.
Governors, also oversee the financial performance of the school to ensure the money is spent in the best way to provide for our pupils and ensure the long- term strategic development of the school.
We meet as a full Governing Body at least once a term to consider a wide range of issues including school improvement, policies and finances.
The Chair of Governors is Eliza Treme-Swailes
Vice-chair of Governors is Lisa Armstrong.
We have also established a subcommittee to discuss issues around finance.
Governors carry out monitoring visits to help them understand and appreciate the functionality of the school, how subjects are organised and assessed and how the school vision is realised.
In 2024 we voted to change our Instrument Of Governance to consist of 9 Governors. The different types of governor that make up our governing body are:
- Parent Governors (2 posts) have children in school at the time of their election and are elected by the parents with children in school.
- Local authority Governors (1 post) nominated by a local counsellor and appointed by the Governing body.
- The headteacher
- Co-opted Governors (2 posts) hold particular skills that can help the governing body.
- Foundation Governors ( 2 posts) represent the Church of England.
- Staff Governors (1 post) elected from staff working at school by staff.
|
Name |
Contact |
Re-Election Year |
Sub committee |
Business Interests |
Financial Interests |
Governance roles in other schools |
|
Mrs Ruth Colley Headteacher |
head@stbridgets-par.cumbria.sch.uk
|
Permanent |
Curriculum/standards/Finance |
None |
None |
None |
|
Mrs Abbie-Louise Pike Staff governor |
|
Oct’26 |
Curriculum /Standards |
None |
None |
None |
|
Mrs Jessica Woolley Staff Governor |
|
Jan’26 |
Curriculum/Standards |
None |
None |
None |
|
Mrs Eliza Treme-Swailes Chair of Governors |
Dec ‘25 |
Finance/Health and safety/SEND |
Director of further and Higher education Lakes collage |
None |
None |
|
|
Mrs Lisa Armstrong Vice/chair |
|
Dec ‘25 |
EYFS/PE/Music/Finance |
None |
None |
None |
|
Mr Paul Kerry Foundation Governor |
|
Dec ‘25 |
RE/Art an DT/Finance |
Vicar at St Bridget’s Parton |
None |
None |
|
Mrs Mel Ryden Co-opted Governor |
|
Jan ‘27 |
Maths/Computing/Science/MFL |
None |
None |
None |
|
Mrs Marie Hunter
|
|
Sept ‘28 |
Literacy/Phonics |
None |
None |
None |
|
Mrs Laura Wiseman Parent Governor |
|
Sept ‘28 |
Geography/PHSE/History |
None |
None |
None |
|
Mrs Wendy Hanley Clerk to Governors |
|
Permanent |
|
None |
None |
None |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Attendance at full Governors meetings
|
Name |
2023-24 |
2024-25 |
2025-26 |
|
Mrs R Colley |
4/4 |
3/3 |
|
|
Mrs E Treme-Swailes |
4/4 |
3/3 |
|
|
Lisa Armstrong |
4/4 |
2/3 |
|
|
Paul Kerry |
2/4 |
2/3 |
|
|
Mel Ryden |
3/4 |
2/3 |
|
|
Marie Hunter |
N/A |
3/3 |
|
|
Laura Wiseman |
N/A |
2/3 |
|
|
Abbie-Louise Pike |
3/4 |
3/3 |
|
|
Jessica Woolley |
4/4 |
3/3 |
|