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Local Governing Body

Governors

The purpose of governance is to provide confident, strategic leadership and to create robust accountability, oversight and assurance for educational and financial performance.

All boards, no matter what type of schools or how many schools they govern, have three core functions:

  • Ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction;

  • Holding executive leaders to account for the educational performance of the organisation and its pupils, and the effective and efficient performance management of staff; and

  • Overseeing the financial performance of the organisation and making sure its money is well spent (link to DfE Financial Benchmarking).

Following academisation in November 2023, the governing body has places for 10 governors, who are appointed or elected as follows:

  • 6 foundation governors appointed by the Diocese of Oxford. This number also includes the rector of St. Michael`s Church, Sandhurst.

  • 2 elected parent governors

  • 1 elected staff governor

  • Headteacher

Our Governing Body

Chair of Governors Mrs Polly Harris
Vice Chair/Parent Governor Mrs Eve Hurley
Head of School Mrs Jo Lanfear
Foundation Governor Mrs Natalie Sampson
Parent Governor Mrs Natalie Collins
Parent Governor Mrs Usha Kowlessur
Staff Governor Mrs Karen Allen
Clerk Miss Laura Beresford

The Chair of Governors (Mrs Polly Harris) can be contacted by e-mail at:

chairofgovernors@st-michaels-school.org

Local Governing Board Diversity Data

As a school we recognise that a diversity of thought, voices and perspectives is essential to good governance and the effective running of any organisation. We regularly collect diversity information from our governors and, depending on current data, can use this to:

  • target recruitment to address gaps in experience and diversity

  • develop and adapt board practices to ensure full participation

  • prioritise training and awareness-raising in identified areas

  • address potential ‘blind spots’ through seeking wider advice and perspectives on current and upcoming opportunities, challenges and risks

However, we are unable to publish this information as it would mean that individual members of our governing body are identifiable.