The Governors play a very important role in the running of Kirk Fenton CE Primary School, supporting the Headteacher and all of the staff.
Within the STAR Multi Academy Trust, each Academy has a Local Governing Board (LGB) that supports the work of the Trust and the Academy. It has certain delegated authority to oversee the running of the school under the Scheme of Delegation as defined by the Trust Board of the STAR Multi-Academy Trust. The Register of Business Interests is available via the Trust Board website.
Click here for the STAR MAT website
Minutes of the LGB for each school are available on request from the School Office or clerktogovs@starmat.uk
Who are we
Mel Walmsley
Headteacher
Catherine Charlesworth
Chair of Governors
I became a Parent Governor at Kirk Fenton in early 2022.
Alison Davey
Vice Chair / Trust Appointed Governor
Helen Darnton
Staff Governor
Hi I’m Mrs Darnton, I started working as a teaching assistant at Kirk Fenton in 2022.
Before having children I worked as a solicitor specialising in employment law.
I have been a parent governor since 2019 and have really enjoyed getting to know the school. I am so pleased to be working at Kirk Fenton now and everybody has made me feel very welcome.
When I am not at school I enjoy spending time with my husband and two children. We love family days out and enjoy swimming, cycling, walking and spending time outdoors discovering nature.
Nina Wrightson
Trust Appointed Governor
Lara Thornton
Trust Appointed Governor
Hello, I'm Lara and am delighted to have joined the governing body for Kirk Fenton Primary School. I live a few miles away just south of Selby and have two boys, one in Year 7 and one in Reception. Work wise I recently started a new role at an agency in Sheffield working on public consultations and planning applications. Before that, I spent ten years in the pro cycling world, including being the lead media liaison for the Tour de France in 2014 and the Tour de Yorkshire. In my spare time I'm a qualified cricket coach and help run All Stars at Hillam & Monk Fryston Cricket Club, where I'm particularly keen to get more girls playing cricket. I am also a new Governor at another school in the district and on the committee for Monk Fryston Preschool.
Reverend Paulie Watkin
Ex Officio Governor
I have served as an ex-offcio governor for Kirk Fenton school since late 2021, having been licenced as the Vicar of the Tadcaster Benefice at the same time, and which includes St Mary's Church Fenton. I have been ordained in the Church of England for around 14 years, and trained for ministry at Westcott House in Cambridge.
I have a special interest in inclusion and firmly believe that both the school and the life of the church should be a welcoming and friendly environment for all. As the Vicar I regularly lead school Collective Worship (assemblies), and enjoy working across the denominations; especially with the Methodist Church which also has a church building within the village. I endeavour to make all of the services which I lead at St Mary's Church to be enjoyable, spiritually uplifting, and fun for all ages! I'm also very happy to be contacted by people interested in or who are exploring faith, so please do get in touch if you would like to.
In my free time, among other things I enjoy spending time with my family, walking in the countryside, music, and international cuisine.
Eleanor Edwards
Parent Governor
In my spare time I enjoy time with my family and exploring Yorkshire.
https://web.starmat.uk/governance/ https://web.starmat.uk/governance/
What do we do
Governors form an integral part of school life. We are a team of volunteers from all walks of life, with different skills and talents who help define the aims and aspirations of the school. We act as a critical friend and determine the strategic direction of Kirk Fenton School. This is done in close consultation with the headteacher and with all members of staff.
Kirk Fenton is a Church of England voluntary controlled school. This means that the Diocese of York owns the site but the landlord is the local authority, North Yorkshire. North Yorkshire give us the money to operate the school and are responsible for, in consultation with us, admitting pupils to Kirk Fenton School.
The Diocese and the Local Authority, as they have an interest in the development of Kirk Fenton School, nominate governors onto our governing body.
Types of Governor
Our Instrument of Government determines the number of governors Kirk Fenton School
- Foundation governors are appointed by the Archdeacon of York and are usually chosen from the people within the parish of Church Fenton and Ulleskelf, the two main communities which Kirk Fenton School serves. One Foundation governor can sometimes be the vicar and carries an ex-officio title. The Foundation governors help to guide and develop the Christian ethos throughout the school.
- Staff governors including the Headteacher running a school involves collecting the views of all parties involved. Staff governors are elected from members of the staffing body and represent their thoughts.
- Parent governors, are elected by the parents of children at Kirk Fenton School.
- Trust appointed governors are appointed by the STAR MAT
Each governor serves a 4 year term. Some governors, e.g. Foundation governors can agree to stand on, if they wish, when their term finishes. Other governors e.g. Parent governors have to be re-elected should they wish to continue. The Chair and vice-Chair of governors are elected from anyone within the team and serve a 2 year term. They can be re-elected if they wish to continue.
Our Role
All governors share the same responsibilities for the school, first and foremost to provide the best possible environment for children's learning and development. To fulfil these responsibilities, the governors meet regularly.
All the governors have a full meeting together, twice every half term. Regular items on this agenda include head-teacher report, policy review, school development planning and progress, update on the school priorities and self-evaluation.
Governors regularly visit the school to see staff and pupils, to monitor whether policies and aims are being implemented, to act as a critical friend and a different pairs of eyes, offering a new perspective.
We also regularly attend parents' evenings to find out how things are going and what we can improve further. Only by gathering the views of many, can we make an informed and well-founded judgement of the school.
The ultimate aim of all the governors is to help make Kirk Fenton School the best it can be for all our pupils and staff. We would like our pupils to leave Kirk Fenton, as they go onto secondary school, as well-rounded children, who have enjoyed their learning experiences and have the building blocks to allow further learning throughout life.
Contact Details
We are always keen to hear views so please feel free to contact us via the school office on 01937 557228.
If you need to contact Catherine Charlesworth, our Chair of Governors, please email cofg@kf.starmat.uk or call 01937 557228.