'The governing body carry out their roles and responsibilities effectively. They are well informed and have an accurate understanding of the work of the school. Governors work closely with leaders to ensure that standards are maintained.' (Ofsted 2025)

'Ambitious leaders, including governors are invested in this as a Church school and understand its context well. Guided through the lens of the vision their decisions and actions ensure the words of growth are a lived reality for all.' (SIAMS 2024)

ST. PAUL'S GOVERNING BODY

WHO ARE OUR SCHOOL GOVERNORS?

 

Reverend David Chadwick (Chair of Governors/Foundation Governor)

I have been the Chair of Governors at St Paul's Primary since 2012. During that time I have had the great privilege of working with a dedicated number of staff, parents and governors as well as meeting all sorts of wonderful children. I enjoy coming in and leading collective worship in school from time to time. I very much see the community at St Paul's Primary and the congregation at St Paul's Church as being part of the same family. When I'm not out trying to spread peace and good will I am quite happy curled up with a sci-fi novel or going to see a 1980s pop group.  

Reverend David Chadwick, Chair of Governors can be contacted via the school.

 

Victoria Cooper (Co-opted Governor)

My name is Victoria Cooper and I am a co-opted governor at St Paul's. I have a son and a daughter who both attend school. In my professional life I am a Deputy Headteacher teacher and Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Coordinator for two local Nursery Schools. I have a passion for inclusion, early education and a love of outdoor learning. I hope to support the school's strong educational practices and bring some of my skills and knowledge to support the schools Early Years and inclusive practices.  

 

Kate Hunter (Co-opted Governor)

I have recently had the privilege of joining  the St Paul's Governors team. I have worked in education for the last 15 years and I am dedicated and passionate about all children receiving the highest standard of education. I believe in nurturing the whole child and the importance of children' s mental health and wellbeing. I truly believe 'something special' happens at St Paul's and I am honoured to be part of the team. 

  

Kevin Thomas (Parent Governor)

I have wide experience in Supply Chain Management having worked for a Global Automotive Supplier  including procedures, standards and governance roles. I have served as a parent governor since 2023 and my daughter currently attends St Paul’s, enjoying her school life and development immensely. It is a privilege to be part of the St Paul’s team and also to give additional support to the staff, school and children in my role as part of the Friends of St Paul’s.

 

Chris Harris (Parent Governor)

I'm thrilled to have the opportunity to serve as a Parent Governor at St. Paul's CE Primary School, where my son is currently a pupil. He has thrived in his short time at the school and now I feel drawn to contribute to its wonderful community that nurtures and supports every child. I have 10 years’ experience working in the education sector and I am passionate about supporting the school’s mission by ensuring that our policies and processes run effectively, while championing the needs of pupils, parents and staff.

 

Morgan Reed (Staff Governor) 

I have been a member of staff at St Paul’s Primary School since 2015. I am a very passionate Teaching Assistant and I enjoy every aspect of being a part of such a wonderful school. I have very recently joined the governoring body as staff governor and was very grateful for the opportunity. Outside of my working hours I enjoy attending and leading dance classes, taking dance exams and performing in shows. I also very much enjoy all things makeup and being creative.

 

Salim Jaljula (Parent Governor)

I have been privileged to be elected as Parent Governor at St. Paul's CE Primary School. I have two children who attend the school and it didn't take long for me to realise that I would like to play part in a school that already fosters a nurturing and inclusive learning environment.

I strive to ensure that policies and procedures are effectively implemented while advocating for the best interest of students and staff. 

 

Carole Graham (Foundation Governor)

I am a long-standing member of St Paul’s Church, having been a member of the PCC and PCC Secretary at different times over many years. I am delighted to become a Foundation Governor at St Paul’s which is my local primary school. 

I am now retired but I was a Religious Education Teacher in Secondary Education. As well as teaching RE I also taught PSHE, Citizenship, Careers and SRE. I also have an interest in inclusion and in STEM subjects.

I consider it a privilege to be able to contribute from my professional background, and personal interests to a strong Christian ethos which I have already seen within all aspects of the school. 

 

Our Governors are in office for 4 years.

Currently our Governors are:

Name of   Governor	Position on Governing Body	Category   of Governor Governance Roles in Other Schools	Business / Financial   Interests Registered	Term of   Office (All 4   years unless stated)	Committees	Voting   Rights
1 x   Headteacher governor
Mrs L Quinn-Briton	Headteacher	Staff governor -  headteacher	None	Appointed 19.05.22	Resources  Curriculum (not complaints) Challenge	Yes
3 x   Parent Governors - Appointed   through parent ballot process (if necessary) following nomination
Mr Kevin Thomas	Parent Governor	Parent Governor	None	Appointed 14.03.23	Resources	Yes
Mr Chris Harris	Parent Governor	Parent Governor		Appointed 22.05.24	School Improvement	Yes
Mr Salim Jaljula	Parent Governor	Parent Governor	None	Appointed 16.06.23	Resources	Yes
3 x   Co-opted Governors - Appointed   by the governing body
Mrs Kate Hunter	Link governor for Literacy	Co-opted governor	None	Appointed 07.02.23	School Improvement	Yes
Mrs Victoria Cooper		Co-opted governor	None	Appointed 19.03.24	School Improvement	Yes
Current Vacancy	Link governor for Disadvantaged Pupils	Co-opted governor			School Improvement	Yes
1 x   Staff Governor - Appointed   by staff ballot (if necessary) following nomination
Mrs Morgan Sullivan		Staff governor	None	Appointed 16.01.24	Pupil Discipline School Improvement Curriculum (not complaints)	Yes
1 x   Local Authority Governor - Appointed   through a selection criteria by the LA upon approval of the governing body
Cllr Helen Glancy	LA Governor	Local Authority Governor		Appointed 26.06.24	School Improvement	Yes
3 x   Foundation Governors - Appointed   by the Durham Diocesan Board of Education after consultation with St Paul's   Ryhope PCC
Rev David Chadwick	Chair of Governors Chair of Personnel Appeals Commitee Chair of Challenge Committee Link governor for Governors' Association Link governor  for safeguarding Link governor for looked after children Link governor for R.E. Link governor for Prevent	Ex - officio Foundation   governor	None	Appointed 01.09.2021	Pupil Discipline  Curriculum  School Improvement Heateacher's Performance Challenge	Yes
Current Vacancy	Link governor for science	Foundation governor			Resources	Yes
Mrs Carol Graham		Foundation governor		Appointed  11.11.24	School Improvement	Yes
Associate members   - no voting rights
Miss Kelly Brenkley   Mrs Nicky Anderson	School Business Manager   Deputy Head	Associate member   Associate member	None    None	Appointed 01.01.18   Appointed 01.09.23	Resources   School Improvement	No   No

Previous Governors

Rev. Fiona Collin: appointed 02.03.15 served 18 months.  Date stepped down 28.09.16 ex former Foundation Governor.  No business interests registered.

Mr Gary Finnigan: appointed 07.01.15 and served a fixed term of 12 months as an associate governor.

Mr Darrell Gilley: appointed 28.04.14 served 4 year term of office as parent governor and vice chair.

Mr Alan Emerson:  appointed 01.05.14 and served a 4 year term of office as LA appointed governor. 

Mr Alex Elwood: appointed 12.01.16 and served a 2 year term of office as foundation governor

Miss Natalie Fountain: appointed 01.01.13 and served 5.5 year term of office as staff governor - Headteacher 

Mrs Sarah Hart: appointed 27.01.15 and served a 4 year term of office as co-opted governor

Mrs Nicky Anderson: appointed 28.04.18 and served an 18 month term of office as parent governor

Mrs Paula Street: appointed 25.11.15 and served a 4 year term of office as staff governor

Mrs Gillian Cassidy: appointed 16.01.16 and served a 4 year term of office as parent governor

Mrs Gill Booth: appointed 04.05.16 and served a 4 year term of office as co-opted governor

Mrs Denise Burns: appointed 15.11.16 and served a 4 year term of office as co-opted governor

Mrs Emma Parker: appointed 14.12.16 and served a 4 year term of office as parent governor

Ms Lindsey Leonard appointed 14.12.16 and served a 4 year term of office as foundation governor

Mrs Lisa Quinn-Briton appointed 01.09.18 - 22.05.21 (went on maternity leave).

Revd. David Chadwick, appointed 01.09.10 and served a 10 year term of office as Ex - officio foundation  governor

Ms Gillian Cassidy, appointed 14.02.20, resigned 01.11.2021 from role as parent governor

Mrs Jackie Graham, appointed 22.05.21 and served a 1 year term of office as Acting Headteacher, linked to maternity leave (staff governor)

Mr Darrell Gilley, appointed 16.11.18 and served a 4 year term of office as foundation governor

Mrs Emma Lumsden, appointed 21.10.20 and resigned 06.12.22 as  co-opted governor

Mrs Sarah Hart, appointed 12.02.19 and served a 4 year term of office as co-opted governor

Ms Helen Beddowes, appointed 16.04.21 and resigned 14.03.23 as parent governor

Mrs Jackie Graham, appointed 19.05.22 and resigned 14.04.23 as associate member

Mrs Sue Rees, appointed 03.12.20 and resigned 18.10.23 as co-opted governor

Mrs Paula Street, appointed 26.11.19 and served a 4 year term of office as staff governor

Mrs Victoria Cooper, appointed 20.12.19 and served a 4 year term of office as parent governor

Mr Usman Ali, appointed 19.05.21, disqualified as local authority governor 18.04.24

Mr Darrell Gilley, appointed 06.11.22 and served a 4 years 9 months term of office as foundation governor and vice chair

Mrs Sarah Hart, appointed 21.03.23 and served a 2 years 4 months term of office as co-opted governor

Ms Lindsey Leonard, appointed 01.09.21 and served a 4 year term of office as foundation governor 

Ms Lindsey Leonard, appointed 08.10.25 and resigned 07.07.26, served 9 months term of office as foundation governor and vice chair

 

 

Attendance for Governors at meetings:

Governor Attendance 2023-24.xlsx

Governor_Meeting_Attendance_2024-25.xlsx

 

 

WHAT DO GOVERNORS DO?

•  We appoint staff to the school and are involved in their development and performance management.
•  We are responsible for the general conduct and curriculum of the school.
•  We consider cases of pupils permanently excluded from the school.
•  We approve the school's annual budget plan.
•  We provide information for parents, the local education authority and for OFSTED inspections.
•  We determine what goes on in the building after school hours.
•  We ensure the school's health and safety policy is in place and followed at all times.

HOW DO WE DO IT?

We meet as a full governing body once every half term. At these meetings, we discuss information provided for us by Sunderland Local Authority. We also discuss school-based issues, which are mainly involved with implementing school policies.

Our Governors have a wide range of interests, skills and expertise and they contribute individually to those committees where they feel they have most to offer. We have a number of committees, Personnel, Finance and Premises, and School Improvement being the main ones. They meet as and when required. We visit the school as often as possible. We attend functions and training sessions and take opportunities to meet children and parents.

All Governors can be contacted via the school office. Governors' personal contact details will not be passed on to parents.

 

GOVERNING BOARD DIVERSITY INFORMATION

At the Full Governing Board meeting on 17/05/23, Governors unanimously agreed not to collect and publish board diversity data.

 

GOVERNOR PRAYER

Our St Paul's Governor Prayer was created by our young leaders group 'The Mustard Seeds'.  Each meeting of the Board starts with our prayer:

Dear God,

We thank you for our school, our friends and our community. We thank you that the children in our school are so kind and are good at building friendships. We look back at all the decisions we have made and we thank you that you have helped us and guided us along the way. We pray that during our meeting you will help us to be respectful of each other’s opinions and to listen to what is being said. We ask that you would guide us in making the right decisions to help our school move forward.

Just as the mustard seed grows and the branches of the tree spread out to others, so we pray that you would help us to spread and share your love in our community. Help each of us to be filled with our Christian values of; courage, forgiveness, love and respect when discussing school matters.

In Jesus name

Amen