Our Governors

Ladywood Primary School

At Ladywood Primary School, we have a team of governors who work as volunteers to support the school.

Their role is to develop a vision and strategy for the school; oversee financial performance and make sure that money is well spent; hold the headteacher to account for the educational performance of the school and to engage with young people, staff, parents and the wider school community, to understand their views.

Governors are expected to attend five Local Governing Team (LGT) meetings each year, for approximately 2 hours per meeting. During these meetings, governors look at a wide range of information to monitor how well the school is performing. Detailed reports including safeguarding, data and finance are discussed at these meetings, as well as a more general headteachers report.

Governor Support

To support the work that goes on, governors are encouraged to participate in school visits twice a year for approximately an hour. Governors observe what is happening in school, look at the school environment and talk to the young people about their school.

New Governors

If an individual is interested in being a member on our LGT they would meet with the chair and headteacher and discuss what they could bring to the team. Following the recruitment process, they would then be invited to attend the LGT meeting where they would be appointed. Governors are appointed for a 4-year term of office. Once appointed governors receive an induction and training for the role.

Our Local Governing Team

We are proud to have a committed team of diverse individuals with a range of backgrounds and experience.

For more information, please contact the Governance Officer, Louise Rowland at l.rowland@embarkfed.org.uk

Ladywood Primary School’s Full Governing Body

Melanie Lawson

Melanie Lawson

Attendance 25/26: Attended 3/3

Polli Watkin

Polli Watkin

Attendance 25/26: Attended 2/3

Craig Vitale

Craig Vitale

Attendance 25/26: Attended 3/3

Patricia Morrell

Patricia Morrell

Attendance 25/26: Attended 2/3

Chloe Jackson

Chloe Jackson

Attendance 25/26: Attended 3/3

Nicola Chambers

Nicola Chambers

Attendance 25/26: Attended 2/3

Victoria Herbert

Victoria Herbert

Attendance 25/26: Attended 0/3

Christopher Still

Christopher Still

Attendance 25/26: Attended 2/3

Shaun Jackson

Shaun Jackson

Attendance 25/26: Attended 1/1

Role Name Appointed by/ Elected by Term of office Business interests Relationships with other governors/ staff Responsibility
Chair of Governors Polli Watkin Appointed by GB/Board 11/05/2029 N/A N/A Safeguarding/ Attendance
Vice-chair of Governors Craig Vitale Appointed by GB/Board 11/05/2029 Yes Wife is a member of staff SEND/ Inclusion / Pupil Premium
Headteacher Melanie Lawson By virtue of office N/A Yes Family members are occasional relief staff SG / Wellbeing / Attendance / H&S / Outcomes / HTPM
Staff Governor (Teaching) Chloe Jackson Appointed by GB/Board 11/10/2026 N/A N/A Mental Health/ Wellbeing
Parent Governor Nicola Chambers Appointed by GB/Board 19/05/2028 Yes A Teaching Assistant is her sister in law Operations/ Finance/
Health and Safety
Co-opted Governor Patricia Morrell Co-opted 19/05/2028 N/A N/A Quality of Education and
Standards/ Outcomes
Co-opted Governor Chris Still Co-opted 08/12/2028 N/A N/A Quality of Education and
Standards/ Outcomes
Community Governor Lisa Washington Co-opted 11/10/2026 Yes External provision Personal
Development
Associate Governor Victoria Herbert By virtue of office 24/04/2027 N/A Family member carries out occasional maintenance N/A
Co-opted
Governor 
Shaun Jackson   Co-opted  08/02/2029  Yes Family member is a member of staff  

 

Governors who have stepped down from office in the last 12 months:

  • Eleanor McColgan: Associate Governor
  • Amy Slater: Co-opted
  • Kayleigh Barry: Co-opted
  • Lisa Washington: Communtiy Governor

Governor Constitution

  • There are 4 Co-opted Governors who are appointed by the Governing Body
  • There are 2 Parent Governors who are appointed by parent/carers
  • There is 1 staff Governor, who is elected by staff
  • There is 1 Community Governor, who is appointed by the Governing Body
  • The Headteacher is a Governor by virtue of her office
  • Associate Governors are appointed by the Governing Body
  • There are 9 Governors in total. Associate Governors have no voting rights

Copies of minutes from Full Governing Body meetings can be made available on request.

If you want to be part of Ladywood Primary’s Governing Body please enquire about any vacancies.

To write to the Governors, please contact:

Miss A Fowler: Governance Professional

Ladywood Primary School, Oliver Road, Kirk Hallam, Derbyshire, DE7 4NH