Governors

 Welcome to the St Helen’s Primary School Governors page.

The Governing Body of the Federation of St Helens and St Marys is made up of a range of people from many different backgrounds, including representatives from the Local Authority, St Helen’s & St Mary’s Churches (known as Foundation Governors), the Local Community, Parents and Staff. All Governors are volunteers and offer their time, skills and experience to help run the School. Although as Governors we receive some training from the Local Authority, we are lay people, not experts and our role is to act as a critical or questioning friend.

If you would like to contact the Governors, or are interested in becoming a Governor, then please contact the school office or email the Clerk to Governors at Naomi.Ryan@stmarysyate.org.uk

School Governors

Name of Governor Category of Governor Responsibilities Link Roles Committees Term Dates Relevant Business or Pecuniary Interests declared
Neil Ayliffe Co-opted - elected by Governing Board Chair of Curriculum & Standards Committee School Development Plan Curriculum & Standards 20/04/2024 - 19/04/2028 * Children are pupils at St. Helens in year 3 & 4
* Wife works for St' Helen's Little Stars preschool
Richard Harris Local Authority Governor   Safeguarding Finance 11/07/2024 - 10/07/2028 Nothing to declare
Perez Jnr Omoun Co-opted - elected by Governing Board   Data Curriculum & Standards 05/02/2025 - 04/02/2029 Nothing to declare
Julie Simpson Executive Headteacher     Curriculum & Standards
Finance		 01/05/2023 Nothing to declare
David Moss Foundation Ex-Officio   Health & Safety Finance 02/01/2017 Nothing to declare.
David Gordon Foundation Governors - appointed by the Diocese Chair   Finance 29/11/2021 - 18/04/2027 Children are pupils at school.
Hannah Peacock Foundation Governors - appointed by the Diocese   SEND Curriculum & Standards 11/07/2024 - 10/07/2028 Nothing to declare
Ben Fowkes Parent Governor - elected by the parents     Finance 29/11/2021 - 18/04/2027 Children are pupils at school.
Fiona Kitson Staff Governor - elected by staff   Pupil Premium Curriculum & Standards 26/11/2021 - 18/04/2027 Nothing to declare
Victor Minkov Co-opted - elected by Governing Board     Curriculum & Standards 03/12/2025 - 02/12/2029  
Allison Deboubert Parent Governor     Finance 13/10/2025 - 12/10/2029 Nothing to declare
VACANCY Foundation Governor          
VACANCY Foundation Governor          
VACANCY Foundation Governor          
VACANCY Foundation Ex-Offico          
VACANCY Fondation Governor          
Associate Members            
Bethan Scriven Associate Member Head of St. Mary's C of E School   Curriculum & Standards 19/04/2023  
Kelvin Chappell Associate Member Head of St. Helen's C of E School   Curriculum & Standards 19/04/2023  
Ruth Eades Associate Member School Business Manager - St. Helen's C of E School   Finance 19/04/2023  
Liz Baker Associate Member Schoool Business Manager - St. Mary's C of E School   Finance 19/04/2023  
Naomi Ryan Clerk to Governors       Apr-25  

 

Governors Attendance Record 2025 26

Governors Code of Conduct 2025

Minutes of the FGB meetings are available upon request. 

The setup of the Governing Body

The full governing body meets face to face 5 times a year, alternating between the two schools. The Governing Body has a general responsibility for the strategic direction and overall conduct of the schools with a view to promoting high standards of educational progress and achievement while promoting and maintaining its Christian Ethos.

There are 2 committees which sit underneath the governing body as follows:

  1. Curriculum and Standards - To advise and as authorised, take decisions on matters relating to the direction, planning, monitoring and assessment of curriculum provision and its impact on pupil progress and attainment and safeguarding.

  2. Finance and Staffing - the purpose of this committee to lead on all matters relating to Staffing (excluding pay as this will be dealt with by the Pay Committee); Revenue and capital budgets and financial performance against these; and the environments within the schools, including issues of Health and Safety.

Governors also like to visit the school’s and be involved in school life. They particularly enjoy attending events like concerts, sporting events, festivals and Church Services where they can celebrate the achievements of the children as well as sharing in significant moments in the life of the school. Above all, they hope to support the staff of the school in creating a safe, happy and pleasant environment in which to learn and play together.