Governor Information

Hello!

The Governing Body of Bluebell Meadow would like to introduce themselves to you and explain a bit about our role and responsibilities within the school.

The Governors main role is to raise standards of achievement for all pupils, providing a strategic view for the school, acting as a critical friend and ensuring accountability. Through the school development plan, Governors monitor the most crucial aspects of the schools development and do so on a continuous basis.

The responsibilities of the Governing Body include:

Developing the strategic plan for the school
Determining the aims, policies and priorities of the school
Setting statutory and non-statutory targets
Monitoring and evaluating the work of the school
The appointment of the Head Teacher, overseeing the appointment of staff and ensuring the implementation of a range of personnel procedures
Oversight of the budget
Securing high levels of attendance and good standards of pupil behaviour
Ensuring that all children in the school have access to a broad and balanced curriculum which is suitable to age, aptitude and ability which prepares them for adult life
Ensuring the health and safety of pupils and staff

The key point to note about this list is that the responsibilities have a strategic focus. In carrying them out, the Governors work with the Head Teacher and his team as professional leaders of the school. The day to day responsibility for running the school is of the Head Teacher and the senior leadership team.

We as a Governing Body undertake frequent training to update our skills and knowledge so that we can provide Bluebell Meadow with the most effective governance possible.

We hope in the coming school year that our visibility within the school will be more frequent and hope that you can approach us if you have any queries.

Please feel free to contact me at any time at BluebellMeadowCofG@edenacademytrust.co.uk

Meet the Governing Body at Bluebell Meadow

Sarah Granger (Chair of Governors - Parent Governor)

Sarah is the Chair of the Governing Body and a Parent Governor who works in administration for Durham County Council. Sarah enjoys hiking, outdoor activities and adventures with her family. She makes jewellery and other types of arts and crafts. She volunteers with the Cub Scouts and loves running activities for the children and taking part in lots of different adventures with them. Sarah has been a governor since the end of 2018 and has a son in Y3 at Bluebell Meadow – her eldest son all attended but left for secondary school a few years ago. Sarah became a Governor to gain experience and new skills working with children (something she wants to pursue) as well as supporting the school getting back on track from its many changes over the last few years, to provide a positive education and environment for the children.

Donna Walton (Staff Governor)

Donna is a Staff Governor having held various Governor roles over the past 10 years. Donna is a Teaching Assistant at Bluebell Meadow and works part time as a youth worker within the local community based at T.C.C.A and has been since she left school. Away from school she enjoys spending time with her family and friends. Donna's sons attended Bluebell Meadow but has since left and started secondary school. She has always been interested in the running and management of schools and has a keen interest in Pupil Premium and SEN. Donna has lived in Trimdon all her life and is passionate about supporting children locally to achieve and aspire to fulfil their potential both academically, socially and emotionally in a nurturing and encouraging environment.

Tracey Aldworth (Parent Governor)

Tracey is a Parent Governor who enjoys long walks on the beach and spending time with friends and family. She has lived in Trimdon for nearly 30 years and has two children who attend Bluebell Meadow in Reception and Y4. Tracey became a Governor to be more involved with the school and is passionate about ensuring that decisions are made that are beneficial to all children. She wants to be a critical friend to the school and staff and support them in their progress.

Sharon Lupton (Community Governor)

Sharon is a Community Governor and is the Subject Leader for R.E. and Director of Equality and Diversity at Sedgefield Community College. She is passionate about ensuring that students are provided with a high quality, relevant and inclusive curriculum. As the mother of two teenage daughters herself, she understands the issues faced by young people and is very aware of the vital role schools play in helping students to navigate their way through these challenges and to build self-esteem. She therefore places great importance on the provision of lessons and experiences that support personal development, including educational visits.

As pupils from Bluebell Meadow generally join Sedgefield Community College in Year 7, Sharon was keen to become a Governor in order to begin supporting them as soon as possible and to help facilitate a smooth transition to secondary school. She is very much looking forward to working with the staff and students and being part of the school community as it continues to grow and develop.

Sarah Armstrong (Community Governor)

Sarah is a Community Governor and Deputy Headteacher at Sedgefield Community College, having joined the school in 2007. Within this role, Sarah has responsibility for Teaching and Learning, and Curriculum. Outside of work, Sarah enjoys spending time with her husband and three children, and can often be found cheering them on at the sides of football pitches and swimming pools!

Sarah has a real passion for teaching and learning, and the role that a strong education can have in shaping the lives of all young people, particularly in the north east region. This is one of the many reasons she decided to become a governor in December 2023. Sarah is really looking forward to working with the school to ensure the pupils who attend Bluebell Meadow receive the best possible education and wider experiences during their time at the school.

Emma Allison ( Community Governor)

Leeanne Thomas (Parent Governor)

Charlotte Jensen ( Parent Governor)

Staff Governor (Vacancy)

Community Governor (Vacancy)

Julie Thomas ( Link Trustee)

Julie is our Trustee Governor to represent the trust for us and to represent Bluebell Meadow within the trust. Julie is a retired Head Teacher with over 20 years’ experience of being on a Governing Body as either a Deputy Head or Head Teacher. She enjoys spending time with her family, reading, swimming, walking and camping. As a representative of Eden Academy Trust, Julie felt that being recently retired from education she has a lot to offer the school, having been a National Leader of Education in the past. Julie has 3 children and has 7 grandchildren who are either in pre-school or primary education.