Knayton C of E Primary Academy

Governors

Knayton are proud to be part of the educational vision for Elevate Multi Academy Trust, whilst retaining our own strong identity.  The Trustees have allowed its Academies to retain the same composition for their local governing bodies, which is set out below. 

The three core functions of the local governing board are:

• To ensure clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction;
• To hold the headteacher to account for the educational performance of the Academy and its children;.
• To oversee the financial performance of the Academy and make sure its money is well spent.

Knayton C of E Academy’s Governing Body strives to support, challenge, and empower the leadership team so that the Academy’s vision for its staff and children is achieved.

Responsibilities:

Together, the Governors are responsible for:

• Setting aims and targets for the Academy and checking the Academy’s progress towards attaining these.

• Monitoring how well the Academy’s policies and plans are working.

• Accounting for the performance of the Academy and the Governing Body.

• Working with the Head teacher to make sure that teaching at the Academy is effective and good quality and the children are making the best possible progress.

• Taking general responsibility for the Academy and its budget.

• Challenging and supporting the senior management team and taking opportunities to show interest in and appreciation of staff and pupils.

• Promoting the interests of the Academy and its pupils in the wider community.

 Types of Governors:

There are several different types of Governor:

• Parent Governor

  Elected from parents at the school by parents at the Academy.

• Staff Governor

  Elected from staff at the school by staff at the Academy

•  Co-opted Governors

           Appointed by members of the Governing Body. They are intended to be representative of the local community and may add particular kinds of expertise.

• Foundation Governor    Foundation governors are representatives of the Church of England. 

            The local vicar is normally appointed as the 'ex-officio' foundation governor;

           The other foundation governor will be appointed by York Diocese, following consultation with the local PCC.

Elevate Governance:

As a multi-academy trust, Elevate is a charitable company limited by guarantee. This means that Elevate is a single legal entity, but it has several Academies within its family. Currently, Elevate has 14 Primary Academies. These are mainly situated across North Yorkshire with 1 Academy in West Yorkshire.

Elevate and their Academies work in collaboration with a single shared vision. The governance structure is designed to reflect the overall responsibility of the Board of Trustees, the (operational) leadership of the CEO supported by the School Improvement Team for education and the Operational Team; for the day to day running of the Academies by the Executive Head Teachers (EHT) and Head teachers coupled with the value of local experience and understanding of the LGBs in assessing the performance of our Academy and their interaction with the local community.

Elevate has established 3 key layers of governance: 

• Members
• Trustees
• Local Governors 

Although Elevate’s Trustees are accountable for all of the Academies within the Trust, it highly values the work undertaken by local governors in supporting, and challenging, our Academies and senior leadership teams to deliver high quality and inclusive education.

Elevate LGBs have a pivotal role in the overall framework of the Trust by having:

• An in-depth knowledge and understanding of their Academies;
• Sustaining uniqueness of their Academy whilst aligning with Elevate’s educational vision;
• Forging and maintaining links with their community;
• Providing the vital governance link between themselves and Trustees to enable the Trustees to carry out their responsibilities as leaders of the Trust.

The different responsibilities overseen by Trustees and Local Governors are set out in the Scheme of Delegation, which is reviewed on an annual basis.

Link to Scheme of Delegation

Link to Articles of Association

Chair of Governors: Jo Jones

Contact: j.jones@knaytonacademy.org  or

Knayton C of E Academy, Knayton, Stockton Road, Thirsk, North Yorkshire, YO7 4AN

Jo Jones - Chair - co opted governor

Jo is a parent to 2 children, 1 of whom is at secondary school and 1 who still attends Knayton.  Jo graduated from Nottingham University with a degree in animal nutrition; but following a successful 14 year career at Cargill she currently works at home on the family farm and campsite with her husband.  Jo joined the governing body in 2015 to give something back to the Academy which has allowed her children to flourish and thrive.  During her term Jo has served as a link governor for science, data review and safeguarding before accepting the responsibility of chairperson in 2020.  One of the parts of the role she most enjoys is meeting up with like-minded people to ensure that through continuous reviewing and monitoring, that Knayton continues to offer outstanding teaching to all its children.

 Brogan Fraser-Standaloft - Co opted governor

Brogan has 2 young children.  She graduated from University of Cumbria with a BA Hons degree in Primary Education with Advanced Specialism in Physical Education. Brogan currently works for the Education Improvement Service (EIS) as an Early Years Development Adviser (0-7 year old) at Stockton Borough Council. She is a qualified KS1 Moderator, lead phonics teacher and also deliver Early Reading and EYFS statutory framework focus to SCITT students. Previously, Brogan worked for a large academy as a Curriculum Lead and prior to that she worked in North Yorkshire as an Early years and KS1 lead. She has also been a staff governor across 2 federated schools for 7 years, in addition to teaching a mixed Reception and KS1 class. Brogan has a passion for early years, continuous provision, phonics and ensuring that all children are exposed to an exciting, accessible and challenging curriculum, along with the highest quality of teaching and learning.

Staff Governor - Mr Lewis Todd

 Lewis has worked at Knayton for 2 years, across both Key Stage 1 and 2. He is currently the Year 6 teacher. Lewis graduated from Teesside University with a BA (Hons) in History and then went on to York St John University to complete a School Direct PGCE with QTS. During his training, he worked in a school in Stockton across both Key Stages. Lewis has joined the Governing body to ensure Knayton continues to offer an outstanding education to all of its children. Lewis has a passion for SEND education and ensuring that all children are able to access an inspiring, ambitious and exciting curriculum. 

 Rev. Dianne Gamble – Foundation Governor

Dianne is a the priest-in-charge of the Hillside group of churches and a Foundation Governor at Knayton C of E Academy.  She was licensed to these churches at the beginning of 2019 having completed curacy in a neighbouring group of churches.  Before moving into ministry, Dianne worked in museum education for York Museums Trust, where she spent 18 years at the National Railway Museum delivering workshops for schools.  Nearly all her adult life has been spent working with children and young people both at work and in church. Outside of her official role, Dianne likes to read and drive steam locomotives. 

 Jean Smethurst – Foundation Governor

 Appointed as a Foundation Governor in 2020, Jean is very pleased to have this opportunity to support Knayton Academy. She has enjoyed listening to reading, and taking part in assemblies as a member of the ‘Open the Book’ team since she moved into the area four years ago. Jean is a member of the Parish Church Council of St Mary’s Church, Leake. She spent a rewarding and fulfilling career teaching History and General Studies in secondary schools and managed these departments for many years. Subsequently she taught English for Speakers of Other Languages in adult community classes. Now retired, Jean undertakes voluntary work with NYCC Youth Justice Service and enjoys walking, reading, travel and contributing to church and community life.

Parent governor - Lizzie Keenor

Parent governor - Bryan Miller

 Clerk: Dianne Mousley

Resignations: 

Joe Bainbridge co opted governor. End of term 

John Richardson Parent governor. Resigned 01.07.2019

Steve Butterworth Staff governor: Resigned as teacher and left 17.07.2019

Hannah Secouet Co-opted 31.08.2020

Sarah Mayhew-Craddock Associate 31.008.2020

Jane Makin Co opted Governor resigned 04.07.2022

Nikkie Beniams as she has left Knayton

Anthony Davison has not attended for over 6 months

Rachal Hall resigned on 22nd March 2021

Lizzie Megson resigned December 2022

Ben Clayton staff governor - resigned as teacher and left 21st July 2023

Governor Attendance at LGB Meetings: