Governing Board of Claregate Primary School
Who are we?
Apart from representatives of the teaching and non-teaching staff, we are unpaid volunteers who fall into one of four categories: Elected Parent Governor, Staff Governor, Local Authority Governor or Co-opted Governor. The School website details each governor's category. Some of us have a background in education; others are from caring professions or industry. As a team, we like to think that we each bring something unique and valuable to our work at Claregate.
The Governing Board actively promotes ethnic diversity of membership so they truly represent the community that they serve.
What do we do?
We meet as a full Governing Board three times a year to consider reports by the Headteacher, documents from the Local Authority and changes to the law.
In addition, there are two committees. The Finance and General Purposes Committee meets once per term and manages the school’s income and expenditure, financial standards and pay; the Strategy, Curriculum and Personnel Sub Committee meets once every half term. They take a close look at educational standards – are the children getting a good education at Claregate and how are the school leaders working to improve this? This Committee also deals with staffing matters.
We take an active interest and conduct focused “Learning Walks” to see the work of the school for ourselves. We check on the children’s progress and challenge areas that we think may need attention. We do not baulk from difficult decisions or challenging the leadership of the school and, as experienced professionals, we can support the school as it continually improves.
We particularly enjoy attending school events where children are able to showcase their achievement and talents; we are all child-centred individuals!
Although the role of a Governor is challenging in that it carries a level of responsibility and accountability, it is very rewarding when we see children enjoying school and thriving.
How can you contact us?
We are keen to know what the whole community think. Please talk to us if you wish to make your views known, or please write to the Chair of Governors via the school; correspondence is a standing agenda item.
Please be mindful that, as governors, while we can suggest and make changes to policy at meetings, we have no power as individuals to overrule the school. We adhere to the Claregate Complaint Policy so, if you have a complaint, please contact the school directly in the first instance: governors become involved at the appeal stage only. You may be able to resolve matters with the School through dialogue much more quickly and easily.
If there is a Safeguarding Issue please bring this to the immediate attention of Miss L Evans - Designated Safeguarding Lead
Key Successes of the Governing Board
Ofsted described us as a “highly effective Governing Body”. We have consistently supported innovative curriculum development. We ensure that safeguarding procedures are followed robustly; this is an area of particular expertise for Claregate with a social worker on the Board. We have taken particular interest in the achievement of children with Special Educational Needs and those disadvantaged by poverty. We have examined children’s writing in lessons and can see the improvements brought about by school leaders. Most importantly, we have appointed some wonderful staff who work hard for the benefit of the children and we have re-structured the workforce to achieve better value for money, always a very tricky process!
Please bear in mind that you only see the tip of the iceberg of what staff do during a school day. Unseen is the marking done at home, the meticulous planning in order to teach good lessons, the evening meetings and protective work that goes on confidentially in the background. Staff always appreciate recognition and like to know what is going well and letting them know is a kindness which would be much appreciated.
Stephanie Sherwood
Chair Of Governors
Name | Appointed From | Appointed To | Type / Voting Rights | Appointed By | Business or Pecuniary Interests | Material Interests – Relationships | Membership on any Other Governing Bodies |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Mr David Hunt | 14/01/2022 | 13/01/2026 | Parent, Full Voting | Parents | None | As a parent of child/ren in the school. | None |
Ms Stacie Ryan | 12/10/2022 | 11/10/2026 | Co-opted, Full Voting | GB | None | As a parent of child/ren in the school. | None |
Mrs Donna Kirkham | 15/05/2025 | 14/05/2029 | Staff, Full Voting | Parents | None | ||
Mrs Nicola Ryder | 15/05/2025 | 14/05/2029 | Parent, Full Voting | Parents | None | As a parent of child/ren in the school. | None |
Ms Bina Sandhu | 15/05/2025 | 14/05/2029 | Op-opted, Full Voting | LA | None | None | None |
Mrs Kelly Buckle | 22/03/2024 | 21/03/2028 | Parent, Full Voting | Parents | None | As a parent of child/ren in the school. | None |
Mr Lee Davis-Powell Headteacher | 01/09/2025 | Whenever employment terminates. | Headteacher, Full Voting | GB | Employed by the school | None | None |
Mr David Saunders Deputy Headteacher | 16/05/2023 | 15/05/2027 | Co-opted, Full Voting | GB | Employed by the school | None | None |
Miss Stephanie Sherwood Chair of Governors | 16/05/2023 | 15/05/2027 | Co-opted, Full Voting | GB | None | None | |
Mrs Sarah Lea | 10/10/2023 | 09/10/2027 | Co-opted, Full Voting | GB | Headteacher at another school. | As a parent of child/ren in the school. | HT Governor Jessons Primary School, Dudley |
Mrs Amandeep Dulai | 13/01/2023 | 12/01/2027 | Parent, Full Voting | Parents | None | As a parent of child/ren in the school. | None |
Ms Firdaws Ali | 10/10/2023 | 09/10/2027 | Co-opted, Full Voting | GB | None | As a parent of child/ren in the school. | None |
Earl Piggott-Smith | 08/10/2025 | 07/10/2029 | Co-opted
Full Voting
| LA | None | None | None |
Governing Board Structure
Full Governing Body
Chair of Governors: Miss Stephanie Sherwood
Vice Chair of Governors: Mrs Stacie Ryan
Strategy, Curriculum and Personnel
Mrs Stacie Ryan (Chair)
Mr Lee Davis-Powell
Mr David Saunders
Miss Stephanie Sherwood
Ms Bina Sandhu
Ms Firdaws Ali
Mrs Kelly Buckle
Finance and General Purposes
Mrs Amandeep Dulai (Chair)
Mr Lee Davis-Powell
Mr David Saunders
Mr David Hunt
Ms Bina Sandhu
Mrs Sarah Lea
Mrs Donna Kirkham
Mr Earl Piggott-Smith
Pay Committee
Mrs Amandeep Dulai
Mrs Stacie Ryan
Staff Dismissal Committee
Any 3 non-staff Governors without a declaration of interest. We convene this committee as we need to, we do not choose Governors in advance.
Pupil Discipline Committee
Any 3 non-staff Governors without a declaration of interest. We do not choose these people in advance, we convene this committee as we need to.
Our Link Governors
Name | Link |
|---|---|
Mrs Nicola Ryder | Safeguarding including Looked After Children |
Mrs Stephanie Sherwood | P1: Teaching and Learning |
Mrs Stacie Ryan | P2: SEND |
Mrs Amandeep Dulai /
Mrs Sarah Lee | P3: Pupil Outcomes in Reading and Writing / Pupil Premium |
Mrs Kelly Buckle | P5: Personal Development |
Mrs Sarah Lee | P6: Early Years |
Governor Attendance at Meetings
√ | X | C | Blank |
|---|---|---|---|
indicates present | indicates that no apologies were sent | indicates that absence was consented to | was not a governor/committee member at that time |
Governor Attendance - 2025-26
Attendees | 08/10/25 |
|---|---|
Ms Stacie Ryan (Vice Chair) | ✓ |
Mr Lee Davis-Powell (HT) | ✓ |
Mr David Saunders (DHT) | C |
Miss Stephanie Sherwood (Chair) | ✓ |
Mr Earl Piggott-Smith | ✓ |
Mrs Sarah Lea | ✓ |
Mrs Amandeep Dulai | ✓ |
Mrs Nicola Ryder | ✓ |
Mr David Hunt | ✓ |
Ms Bina Sandhu | ✓ |
Ms Firdaws Ali | ✓ |
Mrs Donna Kirkham | ✓ |
Attendees | Voting | 21/10/25 |
|---|---|---|
Bursar – via S4S | X | ✓ |
Mr Lee Davis-Powell (HT) | Full | ✓ |
Mr David Saunders (DHT) | Full | ✓ |
Mrs Amandeep Dulai | Full | ✓ |
Mrs Sarah Lee - Chair of Committee | Full | ✓ |
Mr Earl Piggott-Smith | Full | ✓ |
Mrs Donna Kirkham | Full | ✓ |
Ms Bina Sandhu | Full | ✓ |
Mrs Nicola Ryder | Full | ✓ |
Strategy, Curriculum and Personnel Committee (Quorum: 3) | Voting | 24/09/25 |
|---|---|---|
Ms Stacie Ryan - Chair of Committee | Full | ✔ |
Mrs Sarah Lee | Full | ✔ |
Mr Lee Davis-Powell (HT) | Full | ✔ |
Mr David Saunders (DHT) | Full | ✔ |
Miss Stephanie Sherwood | Full | ✔ |
Ms Bina Sandu | Full | C |
Mrs Kelly Buckle | Full | C |
Ms Firdaws Ali | Full | ✔ |
If you require paper copies of anything found on our site then please contact us.