
Governance
Governance
The Governing Body works closely with the Senior Leadership Team to oversee the strategic direction of the school. It does this by offering support, constructive advice, a sounding board for ideas, and help where needed. It challenges, asks questions and seeks information to ensure that the best interests of the children at Elm Court School are met. All governors work on a voluntary basis.
The Role and Operation of the Governing Body
The Governing Body has 3 main areas of responsibility:
Help establish the strategic direction of the school, by:
- Developing the vision, values, and objectives for the school
- Agreeing the school development strategy with priorities and targets
- Meeting statutory duties
Ensuring accountability, by:
- Appointing the Headteacher
- Monitoring progress towards targets
- Performance managing the Headteacher
- Engaging with stakeholders
- Contributing to school self-evaluation
Ensuring financial probity, by:
- Setting the budget, including numbers of staff and their pay
- Monitoring spending against the budget
- Ensuring value for money is obtained
- Ensuring risks to the school are managed
The Headteacher is responsible for the internal organisation, management and control of the school and the implementation of the strategic framework established by the Governing Body.
The Governing Board (GB) meets twice a term to discuss issues, review progress and make decisions. The minutes (including attendance) of all meetings of the GB are available upon request.
Declaration of Business Interests: Governors are required to declare if they have any relevant personal and financial interests. Currently all Governors have declared that they have no interests or relationships between themselves and members of school staff. These signed documents are kept securely at school and the Register of Business Interests is updated at each full Governing Body meeting.
Governing Body Details
Elm Court Livity Federation
Governing Body Constitution and Membership
Appointments or elections are for four years.
Type |
Name |
Appointed Until |
Executive Headteacher |
Joanna Tarrant |
N/A |
Local Authority |
Lydia Gibson |
20/04/2026 |
Parent |
Sonia McCann |
20/04/2026 |
Staff |
Samantha Battersby |
20/04/2026 |
Co-opted |
Michael Jenner (Chair) |
20/04/2026 |
Co-opted |
Will Thursfield (Vice-Chair) |
20/04/2026 |
Co-opted |
Gemma Hunter |
20/04/2026 |
Co-opted |
Nick Black |
20/04/2026 |
Co-opted |
Marta Mrozowska |
20/04/2026 |
Co-opted |
Laura Cabraal |
20/04/2026 |
Co-opted |
Nick Black |
20/04/2026 |
The Governing Body does not operate any sub-committees but has appointed the following link governors:
Subject area | Name |
Finance | Lydia Gibson |
Laura Bennett | |
Safeguarding | Marta Mrozowska |
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