Every aspect of life and conduct of our school is overseen by the Governors.
A message from the Chair of Governors
Hello
It is a pleasure to be able to introduce myself in this week’s Paxton Press as the new Chair of Governors here at Little Paxton School. I follow on from Claire Cannon, our former chair and would like to take this opportunity to thank her for all of her service in the role over the last year and a half.
With a background in education, and a current parent at the school, it is a privilege to be able to contribute to what I believe is a fantastic primary school within our community. I am particularly proud that my children get to attend such a warm, child-centred local school, that nurtures and develops students into curious, courageous, creative, compassionate, caring and confident individuals, ready to take their next steps into the world. Likewise, during governor visits to the school I have seen how much the staff care for the pupils in their charge. And when I say staff, I don’t just mean teachers, but all of the individuals who are so vital to the running of a school – administrative staff, cleaning colleagues, teaching assistants, kitchen staff and site management. The list could continue. They are all such hard-working, friendly and dedicated professionals and we are truly lucky to have them educating our children.
You might be wondering what the role of a governor actually is, so I thought it would be worthwhile giving some explanation. Being a governor is a voluntary role and considered a public duty. The governing body in a school acts as a ‘critical friend’ to a school, providing both support and challenge. We are here to oversee the strategic direction of the school, monitor performance, ensure regulatory compliance and have financial oversight of the budget. We are a diverse group of people and are always looking for new members to join us. You do not have to have an education sector background to be one – in fact the more diverse, the better! You also do not have to be a parent. If being a governor is something that may interest you, then please do get in touch with me to ask any questions or arrange an informal chat.
Louise Jenkins
chair@littlepaxton.cambs.sch.uk
Our Purpose
The main aim of Little Paxton Primary School (like all schools) is to raise the educational achievements of all children, ensuring all pupils make good progress from their starting points. The Governing Body is committed to providing a good education for local children at the village primary school. Legally the Governing Body is required to support and challenge the school by:
- Ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction
- Holding the Head Teacher to account for the educational performance of the school and its pupils
- Overseeing the financial performance of the school and making sure its money is well spent.
In addition, governors are responsible for ensuring that the school fulfils its statutory duties.
Governor Meetings
Much of our work is done through meetings of the Full Governing Body with particular responsibilities as set out in its Terms of Reference.
The Chair of Governors is elected each year.
The FGB is responsible for monitoring school performance.
The FGB receives regular reports from the Head Teacher and discusses monitoring carried out by link governors.
All meetings start at 6:30pm
Full Governing Body Meetings
Monday 15th September 2025
Monday 8th December 2025
Monday 2nd March 2026
Monday 27th April 2026
Monday 13th July 2026
Full Governing Body meetings are minuted by the Clerk to the Governing Body. The minutes of each meeting are reviewed and agreed at the following meeting. Agreed minutes can be obtained by emailing clerk@littlepaxton.cambs.sch.uk
The agenda for each meeting is drawn up in advance and circulated at least one week prior to the meeting. Agendas for meetings are set by the Chair in consultation with the Clerk and the Head teacher. They follow an annual cycle of agreeing, then monitoring and evaluating the plans for school improvement. Agendas also include items that reflect local and national priorities and initiatives.
As well as attending formal meetings, the Governors spend time in school, meeting and working with staff and children. Governors make regular visits to school to enable them to get to know more about how it operates and also to monitor aspects of the improvement plans that have been agreed.
Governors are always pleased and ready to talk to parents. Governors can be contacted either through the school office or by contacting the Clerk, clerk@littlepaxton.cambs.sch.uk
Statutory Committees
There are also some statutory committees (Salary, Performance Management, Appeals, Discipline, etc.) which meet as necessary.
Curriculum and Standards Committee Meetings
Monday 17th November 2025
Monday 2nd February 2026
Monday 15th June 2026
Resources and Finance Committee Meetings
Monday 1st December 2025
Monday 20th March 2026
Monday 20th April 2026
Composition of Committees 2025-2026
Curriculum and Standards
- Claire Cannon
- Richard Fairbairn (Chair)
- Alison Gatward (Clerk)
- Louise Jenkins
- Bex Owen
- Victoria Parsons
HTPM
- Richard Fairbairn (Chair)
- Mariana Garcia
- Victoria Parsons
Pay Committee
- Jack Armond
- Mariana Garcia
- Alison Gatward (Clerk)
- Louise Jenkins
- Bex Owen
Resources and Finance
- Jack Armond
- Mariana Garcia (Chair)
- Alison Gatward (Clerk)
- Maxine Howells (Vice-Chair)
- Bex Owen
- Johnny Pool
- Andrew Stafferton
Further information about the Governing Body, how its works and governor policies
Terms of Reference Governing Body
Terms of Reference Curriculum & Standards
Terms of Reference Resources and Finance
Delegation of Decisions Planner
Induction Policy – including information for Governor Inductions
Protocol to Monitor Governor Attendance
Governor Attendance Record 24-25
Information about Governors 25-26
|
Appointment
|
Name |
Appointed by
|
First Appointed | Term Length | Term Start | Term End |
|
Co-opted governors
|
Claire Cannon | 27/03/2023 | 4 years | 24/03/2023 | 31/07/2026 | |
| Richard Fairbairn | Governing Board | 09/12/2024 | 4 years | 09/12/2024 | 08/12/2028 | |
| Mariana Garcia | Governing Board | 03/03/2025 | 4 years | 03/03/2025 | 02/03/2029 | |
| Louise Jenkins – Chair | – | 29/04/2024 | 4 years | 29/04/2024 | 28/04/2028 | |
| Andrew Stafferton | Full Governing Board | 08/12/2025 | 4 years | 08/12/2025 | 07/12/2029 | |
| Vacancy (1) | ||||||
| Vacancy (2) | ||||||
|
Headteachers
|
Bex Owen | – | – | 4 years | – | – |
|
Local Authority Governors
|
Maxine Howells | Full Governing Board | 30/07/2025 | – | 30/07/2025 | 29/07/2029 |
|
Parent governors
|
Jack Armond | Parent body | 21/03/2025 | 4 years | 21/03/2025 | 20/03/2029 |
| Victoria Parsons | Parent body | 21/03/2025 | 4 years | 21/03/2025 | 20/03/2029 | |
| Vacancy (1) | ||||||
|
Staff governors
|
Johnny Pool | Staff body | 15/04/2026 | 4 years | 15/04/2026 | 14/04/2030 |
Downloadable information about Governors 2025-2026
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