Governors
The function and role of governors
The three key functions of governors at any maintained (Local Authority) school are defined by the Department for Education as:
- ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction for the school
- holding the headteacher to account for the educational performance of the school and its pupils, and the appraisal of staff
- overseeing the financial performance of the school and making sure it's money well spent.
In order to carry out these functions well, the Governing Body needs members who:
- have a clear commitment to the vision and ethos of the school, which are shared with the headteachers, staff, parents and others of our school community
- understand well how the school works, including its strength, weaknesses and current development priorities
- are committed to personal development to make sure the Governing Body has the necessary skills and experience to challenge and support the school in its development.
The Governing Body at Hardwick & Cambourne acknowledges that it has a collective responsibility to appoint, train and support new governors so that they can become effective as quickly as possible. It also has a responsibility to the school to make sure that its members have the range of skills and knowledge necessary to carry out the three governor functions well.
Our Governing Body
Co-Opted Governors | Term of Office |
Claire MacDonald (Chairperson) Elise Croft Roxanna Glennon Leigh Roberts (Co-Vice Chair) Kirsty Shepherd Lisa Eadon Luke Edwards Adiila Takun-Joolia Caroline Kell | 16.07.2018 to 15.07.2026 23.09.2024 to 22.09.2028 08.07.2024 to 07.07.2028 02.12.2019 to 01.12.2027 02.12.2019 to 01.12.2027 17.09.2018 to 16.09.2026 25.01.2021 to 24.01.2025 25.01.2021 to 24.01.2029 24.01.2022 to 23.01.2026 |
Parent Governors | |
Tom Southall Nick Wong (Co-Vice Chair) | 17.10.2024 to 16.10.2028 13.07.2021 to 12.07.2025 |
Local Authority Governor | |
Isabel Harrison | 30.06.2021 to 29.06.2025 |
Staff Governor | |
Kate Hitchings | 14.10.2022 to 13.10.2026 |
Pupil Governors | |
Aria Sareen Ryan Leonard | until the end of the academic year 2024-2025 |
Headteacher | |
Cate Thompson | 01.09.2019 onwards |
Clerk to Governors | |
Helen Andrews | N/A |
Standing Orders
Governor Monitoring Responsibilities
Governor Declarations of Pecuniary Interest
Governor Code of Conduct
Instrument of Government
Meeting Schedule
The full Governing Body usually meets one evening each half-term, to discuss issues related to its three key functions.
In addition, all governors take part in monitoring an area of the School Development Plan for the year. This involves meeting with schools staff several times during the academic year, sometimes with pupils or other members of the school community. These meetings are usually (though not exclusively) during the school day. The work is essential in developing an understanding of how the school works, and see first-hand how areas of development are progressing.
Dates for FGB Meetings 2024-2025
Monday 23rd September 2024 at 7.30pm (virtual)
Monday 11th November 2024 at 7.30pm (Hardwick)
Monday 27th January 2025 at 7.30pm (virtual)
Monday 17th March 2025 at 7.30pm (Cambourne)
Tuesday 6th May 2025 at 7.30pm (virtual)
Monday 7th July 2025 at 7.30pm (Hardwick)
Governor Register of Attendance
Annual Governance Statement
For anyone considering applying to be a governor
Sometime the Governing Body seeks people with specific skills or abilities, to fill a gap in its combined skills set. These will be outlined in any communication that seeks applicants. Generally, though, the attributes needed to become an effective governor are enthusiasm and commitment.
The commitments to becoming effective include:
- commitment to the school's vision and ethos - these can be found on the school's website
- commitment to attending appropriate training - some is provided by the Local Authority, some is done within the Governing Body
- commitment to the workload of being a governor - including attending evening and daytime meetings as needed.
Note that anyone applying to become a governor at our school will need to have an enhanced disclosure check from the Disclosure Barring Service (DBS). Click here for more information.