Governors
An Introduction from David Barnes, Chairman of Governors, Barlow Church of England Primary School
My name is David Barnes and I have been a foundation governor at the School for 6 years where I have 2 children. I am very proud to serve the School as its Chair of Governors.
Over the past 20 years I have run my own Company and bring a wealth of experience to the Governing Body in the areas of business strategy, finance, and leadership. I have a good idea of how schools function and are governed and feel well prepared to tackle the challenges of the future head on in terms of School funding and changes to the national curriculum and testing regimes.
Barlow Church of England Primary School is a good school where our children gain great results as well as achieving outstanding personal development. Our school vision of learning and growing in the grace of God is based on core Christian values and we use them every day.
The school’s latest Ofsted Inspection highlighted the many strengths of Barlow Church of England Primary School and the Governing Body was very happy with the ‘Good’ outcome. However, we recognise that the school must consistently strive to improve and innovate to ensure the best possible outcomes for its pupils. The Governing Body is heavily involved in the creation of the School’s Improvement Plan and acts as a ‘critical friend’ in all matters. To be an 'outstanding' School is our aim!
Working very closely with the Head Teacher, the Governing Body is ultimately responsible for delivery of the national curriculum, the school’s finances, personnel matters, as well as the maintenance of the school premises. The Head Teacher, with her staff, is responsible for the planning, teaching and monitoring of the National Curriculum and the day-to-day running of the school. The Governors, Head Teacher and staff work in partnership to promote the aims of the school.
In addition to our meetings, we spend time in school communicating with staff (both teaching and non-teaching), parents and children to ensure that the policies we adopt are correct and that the staff are given the support they need.
The Governing Body is immensely proud of what the school consistently achieves and has a real determination to do even better in the future. Through our School improvement plan, we have great plans in place to take the school forward in the coming years.
In short, the Governing Body’s aim is to ensure Barlow Church of England Primary provides its pupils the best educational start in life, helping them to become happy, confident individuals who are given every opportunity to reach their potential.
It is my sincere wish, as Chair of Governors, to continue with the excellent work and efforts put in by all staff and to support all positive moves in all aspects to improve the school and take it to 'outstanding'
As Chair of Governors I can be contacted through the school office or email. Feel free to talk to me in the playground!
Our School Governors
Mr David Barnes (Chair)
Mrs Vicky Noble (Vice Chair)
Mrs Heather Morton (Clerk)
Mr Liam O'Connell
Mr Graeme Forth
Mr James Coulson
Mrs Becca Ryan
Reverend Sarah Colver
David Barnes - Chair of Governors
Hello, my name is David Barnes and I have been a Governor at Barlow Church of England Primary School for over 10 years. I was re-elected as Chair of Governors in September 2021. I am also a Foundation Governor representing the Parish Church of Greater Barlow, St Lawrence.
I feel passionately about primary school education and endeavour to work with the whole school community at Barlow to maintain its high standards and meet any future challenges. I am looking forward to celebrating our 150 year anniversary. I sincerely hope we can all make Barlow the best it can be for each and every child.
Having lived in the village for over 20 years, I have one child currently at Barlow and my two older children also went to the School. I run a global document management company and aim to use my business experiences to offer Barlow as much support as I can.
If you see me on the playground or around School please say hello; I look forward to meeting you.
Vicky Noble - Vice Chair
Hello, my name is Vicky Noble, and I have been a governor at Barlow Church of England School since November 2013.
I hold several positions as a governor being the designated Local Authority Governor, as well as Chair of the Resources (Finance) Committee, and Vice Chairperson. I have held these positions for over 7 years.
Previously I worked for the Post Office and Royal Mail corporation for over 30 years where I held numerous positions and in a variety of roles. These were usually within the finance function. I now try to use the skills I had to develop in my work life in the volunteer roles I undertake.
In my personal life I am married to Michael, and we have a daughter Katherine who is working and living in Munich.
I love being a Governor of this school. I joined the Governing Committee as my niece was in the school and I new they needed someone with a finance background. What I love about being a governor is the chance to work with the whole of the school community in doing the very best we can for our children. From ensuring that we have the finances in a healthy state, and being involved in all elements of decision making to deliver the vision and ethos of the school, as well as the educational challenges and targets. More important is that our children feel safe and valued and enjoy their experience of education and growing up in our school, and that we equip them to confidently move on in their lives. It is a real privilege to be a part of a professional and dedicated team.
Graeme Forth
As a co-opted governor, I bring experience of education to Barlow Primary's governing body. I used to be a primary school teacher, working mainly in KS2 and have taught in a number of schools around Sheffield and North East Derbyshire. Currently I work as a researcher in an Innovation team - so enjoy listening to the challenges that people face and looking to find new and interesting ways of solving them. Alongside work, I love to learn. I'm currently studying for a doctorate in education; I'm keen to both support the teaching and learning at Barlow with my research, as well as learning from our excellent teaching team. I also enjoy a challenge, having climbed Kilimanjaro and ran a marathon...in Marathon!
Roles and Responsibilities
Mr David Barnes
Chair of Governors
Resources Committee
Foundation Governor until July 2027
Mrs Vicky Noble
Vice Chair of Governors
Resources Committee
LA Governor until 2027
Reverend Sarah Colver
Foundation governor (ex-Officio)
Mr Liam O'Connell
Resources Committee
Co-opted Governor until December 2023
Mr Graeme Forth
Co-opted Governor until December 2023
Mr James Coulson
Resources Comittee (Chair)
Parent Governor until September 2026
Mrs Heather Morton
Clerk to Governors
Barlow Church of England Primary School
Governor Attendance at Meetings
Governing Body 13th February 2024
Present: Penny Watkin, David Barnes, Vicky Noble, Heather Morton, Reverend Sarah Colver, James Coulson, Liam O'Connell, Becca Ryan, Graeme Forth, Reverend Sarah
Apologies: Gemma Phipps
Virtual Resources Meeting 9th January 2024
Present: Vicky Noble, Penny Watkin, David Barnes, Heather Morton, James Coulson,
Apologies: Liam O'Connell
Governing Body 5th December 2023
Present: Penny Watkin, David Barnes, Vicky Noble, Heather Morton, Reverend Sarah Colver, James Coulson, Liam O'Connell, Becca Ryan
Apologies: Reverend Sarah Colver, Graeme Forth
Governing Body 14th September 2023
Present: Penny Watkin, David Barnes, Graeme Forth, Vicky Noble, Heather Morton, Reverend Sarah Colver, James Coulson, Liam O'Connell
Apologies: Gemma Phipps
Virtual Resources Meeting 10th July 2023
Present: Vicky Noble, Penny Watkin, David Barnes, Heather Morton, James Coulson,
Apologies: Nick Shaw, Graeme Forth
Virtual Governing Body 14th June 2023
Present: Penny Watkin, David Barnes, Vicky Noble, Heather Morton, Reverend Sarah Colver, James Coulson, Liam O'Connell
Apologies: Nick Shaw, Graeme Forth, Gemma Phipps
Virtual Governing Body 19th April 2023
Present: Penny Watkin, David Barnes, Graeme Forth, Vicky Noble, Heather Morton, Reverend Sarah Colver, James Coulson, Gemma Phipps
Apologies: Liam O'Connell
Absent: Nick Shaw
Virtual Governing Body 16th February 2023
Present: Penny Watkin, Liam O'Connell, Graeme Forth, Vicky Noble, Heather Morton, Reverend Sarah Colver, James Coulson
Apologies: Gemma Phipps, David Barnes
Absent: Nick Shaw
Virtual Governing Body 14th December 2023
Present: Penny Watkin, David Barnes, Graeme Forth, Vicky Noble, Heather Morton, Reverend Sarah Colver, James Coulson, Gemma Phipps
Apologies: Liam O'Connell,
Virtual Resources Meeting 7th November 2022
Present: Vicky Noble, Penny Watkin, David Barnes, Liam O'Connell, Heather Morton
Absent: Nick Shaw
Virtual Governing Body 14th September 2022
Present: Penny Watkin, David Barnes, Graeme Forth, Vicky Noble, Heather Morton, Reverend Sarah Colver
Apologies: Liam O'Connell
Absent: Nick Shaw
Virtual Governing Body 12th July 2022
Present: Penny Watkin, David Barnes, Graeme Forth, Liam O'Connell, Heather Morton, Reverend Sarah Colver
Absent: Nick Shaw, Vicky Noble, Natalie Baker
Virtual Resources Committee - 22nd June 2022
Present: Vicky Noble, Penny Watkin, Heather Morton, David Barnes
Apologies: Liam O'Connell, Natalie Baker
Virtual Governing Body - 27th April 2022
Present: Penny Watkin, David Barnes, Graeme Forth, Heather Morton, Reverend Sarah Colver, Vicky Noble, Gemma Phipps, Liam O'Connell, Nick Shaw
Absent: Natalie Baker
Virtual Governing Body - 9th February 2022
Present: Penny Watkin, David Barnes, Natalie Baker, Graeme Forth, Gemma Phipps, Heather Morton, Reverend Sarah Colver, Nick Shaw
Apologies: Vicky Noble, Liam O'Connell
Virtual Resources Committee - 1st February 2022
Present: Vicky Noble, Penny Watkin, Michelle Gregory, David Barnes
Apologies: Natalie Baker, Liam O'Connell
Virtual Governing Body 1st December 2021
Present: Penny Watkin, David Barnes, Graeme Forth, Vicky Noble, Liam O'Connell, Heather Morton, Reverend Sarah Colver, Nick Shaw
Apologies: Vicky Noble and Gemma Phipps
Virtual Resources Committee - 24th November 2021
Present: Vicky Noble, Penny Watkin, Heather Morton, Liam O'Connell
Apologies: David Barnes, Natalie Baker
Virtual Resources Committee - 19th October 2021
Present: Vicky Noble, Penny Watkin, Heather Morton,
Apologies: David Barnes, Liam O'Connell, Natalie Baker
Virtual Governing Body 22nd September 2021
Present: Penny Watkin, David Barnes, Natalie Baker, Graeme Forth, Vicky Noble, Gemma Phipps, Heather Morton, Reverend Sarah Colver
Apologies: Nick Shaw and Liam O'Connell
Virtual Resources Committee - 14th September 2021
Present: David Barnes, Penny Watkin, Heather Morton
Apologies: Vicky Noble, Gemma Phipps, Natalie Baker, Liam O'Connell
Virtual Governing Body 7th July 2021
Present: Penny Watkin, David Barnes, Natalie Baker, Graeme Forth, Vicky Noble, Nick Shaw, Liam O'Connell, Gemma Phipps, Heather Morton, Reverend Sarah Colver
Absent: Paul Ryan
Virtual Governing Body 28th April 2021
Present: Penny Watkin, David Barnes, Natalie Baker, Graeme Forth, Vicky Noble, Nick Shaw, Liam O'Connell, Heather Morton, Reverend Sarah Colver
Apologies: Gemma Phipps Absent: Paul Ryan
Virtual Governing Body 3rd March 2021
Present: Penny Watkin, David Barnes, Natalie Baker, Graeme Forth, Paul Ryan, Vicky Noble, Nick Shaw, Liam O'Connell, Gemma Phipps, Heather Morton, Sarah Colver
Virtual Resources Committee - 10th February 2021
Present: Penny Watkin, Heather Morton, Vicky Noble, Natalie Baker
Apologies: David Barnes, Gemma Phipps, Liam O'Connell
Virtual Governing Body 13th January 2021
Present: Penny Watkin, David Barnes, Natalie Baker, Graeme Forth, Paul Ryan, Vicky Noble, Nick Shaw, Liam O'Connell, Gemma Phipps, Heather Morton, Sarah Colver
Virtual Governing Body 18th November 2020
Present: Penny Watkin, David Barnes, Natalie Baker, Graeme Forth, Nick Shaw,
Apologies: Vicky Noble, Gemma Phipps, Liam O'Connell, Paul Ryan
Virtual Resources Committee - 18th November 2020
Present: David Barnes, Penny Watkin, Heather Morton, Liam O'Connell
Apologies: Vicky Noble, Gemma Phipps, Natalie Baker
Virtual Governing Body 7th October 2020
Present: Penny Watkin, David Barnes, Natalie Baker, Graeme Forth, Paul Ryan, Vicky Noble, Nick Shaw, Liam O'Connell, Gemma Phipps
Apologies: Heather Morton
Resources Virtual Committee Meeting - 23rd September 2020
Present: David Barnes, Penny Watkin, Heather Morton, Natalie Baker, Liam O'Connell, Vicky Noble
Apologies: Gemma Phipps
Full Virtual Governing Body 2nd September 2020
Present: Penny Watkin, Heather Morton, David Barnes, Natalie Baker, Graeme Forth, Paul Ryan, Vicky Noble, Nick Shaw, Liam O'Connell
Apologies: Gemma Phipps
Full Virtual Governing Body 28th May 2020
Present: Penny Watkin, Heather Morton, David Barnes, Natalie Baker, Graeme Forth, Paul Ryan, Vicky Noble, Gemma Phipps, Nick Shaw
Apologies: Liam O'Connell
Resources Committee - 29th January 2020
Present: David Barnes, Penny Watkin, Heather Morton, Natalie Baker, Liam O'Connell
Apologies: Vicky Noble, Gemma Phipps
Full Governing Body 4th December 2019
Present: Penny Watkin, Heather Morton, David Barnes, Natalie Baker, Graeme Forth, Liam O'Connell Paul Ryan
Apologies: Vicky Noble, Claire Wilson, Gemma Phipps
Absent: Nick Shaw
Full Governing Body 23rd September 2019
Present: Penny Watkin, Heather Morton, David Barnes, Vicky Noble, Natalie Baker, Father Peter, Paul Ryan, Gemma Phipps
Apologies: Claire Wilson,
Absent: Nick Shaw
Resources Committee - 18th September2019
Present: David Barnes, Father Peter, Penny Watkin, Heather Morton, Vicky Noble
Apologies: Nick Shaw, Natalie Baker
Full Governing Body 8th July 2019
Present: Penny Watkin, Heather Morton, David Barnes, Vicky Noble, Natalie Baker, Father Peter, Nick Shaw
Apologies: Claire Wilson, Paul Ryan
Resources Committee - 3rd July 2019
Present: David Barnes, Father Peter, Penny Watkin, Heather Morton, Vicky Noble
Absent: Nick Shaw, Natalie Baker
Full Governing Body 8th May 2019
Present: Penny Watkin, Heather Morton, David Barnes, Vicky Noble, Natalie Baker, Father Peter
Apologies: Nick Shaw, Natalie Vick, Paul Ryan
Absent: Claire Wilson
Resources Committee - 18th April 2019
Present: David Barnes, Father Peter, Penny Watkin, Heather Morton, Natalie Baker
Apologies: Nick Shaw, Vicky Noble
Full Governing Body 8th April 2019
Present: Penny Watkin, Heather Morton, David Barnes, Vicky Noble, Natalie Baker, Father Peter, Paul Ryan, Natalie Vick
Apologies: Nick Shaw, Claire Wilson
Resources Committee - 27th March 2019
Present: Vicky Noble, David Barnes, Father Peter, Penny Watkin, Heather Morton, Natalie Baker, Nick Shaw
Resources Committee - 6th March 2019
Present: Vicky Noble, David Barnes, Father Peter, Penny Watkin, Heather Morton
Absent: Nick Shaw, Natalie Baker
Resources Committee - 29th January 2019
Present: Vicky Noble, David Barnes, Father Peter, Penny Watkin, Heather Morton, Nick Shaw
Apologies: Natalie Baker
Full Governing Body 14th January 2019
Present: Penny Watkin, Heather Morton, David Barnes, Vicky Noble, Natalie Baker, Father Peter, Paul Ryan, Claire Wilson, Natalie Vick
Apologies: Nick Shaw
No conflicts of interest were recorded by the Governors in 2017-2018
No conflicts of interest were recorded by the Governors in 2018-2019
What does a governor do?
Role of a school governor: To contribute to the work of the governing body in ensuring high standards of achievement for all children and young people in the school by:
• Setting the school’s vision, ethos and strategic direction;
• Holding the headteacher to account for the educational performance of the school and its pupils; and
• Overseeing the financial performance of the school and making sure its money is well spent.
Activities: As part of the governing body team, a governor is expected to
1. Contribute to the strategic discussions at governing body meetings which determine:
• the vision and ethos of the school;
• clear and ambitious strategic priorities and targets for the school;
• that all children, including those with special educational needs, have access to a broad and balanced curriculum;
• the school’s budget, including the expenditure of the pupil premium allocation;
• the school’s staffing structure and key staffing policies;
• the principles to be used by school leaders to set other school policies.
2. Hold the senior leaders to account by monitoring the school’s performance; this includes:
• agreeing the outcomes from the school’s self-evaluation and ensuring they are used to inform the priorities in the school
development plan;
• considering all relevant data and feedback provided on request by school leaders and external sources on all aspects of
school performance;
• asking challenging questions of school leaders;
• ensuring senior leaders have arranged for the required audits to be carried out and receiving the results of those audits;
• ensuring senior leaders have developed the required policies and procedures and the school is operating effectively according to those policies;
• acting as a link governor on a specific issue, making relevant enquiries of the relevant staff, and reporting to the governing body on the progress on the relevant school priority; and
• listening to and reporting to the school’s stakeholders : pupils, parents, staff, and the wider community, including local employers.
3. Ensure the school staff have the resources and support they require to do their jobs well, including the necessary expertise on business management, external advice where necessary, effective appraisal and CPD (Continuing Professional Development), and suitable premises, and that the way in which those resources are used has impact.
4. When required, serve on panels of governors to:
• appoint the headteacher and other senior leaders;
• appraise the headteacher;
• set the headteacher’s pay and agree the pay recommendations for other staff;
• hear the second stage of staff grievances and disciplinary matters;
• hear appeals about pupil exclusions.