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
Attendance 25/26: Attended 3/3

Polli Watkin
Attendance 25/26: Attended 2/3

Craig Vitale
Attendance 25/26: Attended 3/3

Patricia Morrell
Attendance 25/26: Attended 2/3

Chloe Jackson
Attendance 25/26: Attended 3/3

Nicola Chambers
Attendance 25/26: Attended 2/3

Victoria Herbert
Attendance 25/26: Attended 0/3

Christopher Still
Attendance 25/26: Attended 2/3

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

