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Governors

The Governing Body firmly believes that a good relationship between school and home is vital to achieving a happy and productive journey through school.  We are fortunate to have the co-operation, support, and involvement of parents and the community in daily life here, and hope that that relationship doesn't end at the school gates.

With the talented, dedicated school staff, we constantly work hard to ensure that the educational standards, pastoral care and curriculum enhancing opportunities that are offered at Pannal Primary School combine to create a challenging and stimulating environment in which every child will thrive.

The Pannal Local Governing Body oversee the work of Pannal School. This role is devolved to them by the Board of Trustees of the Multi-academy trust, The Yorkshire Causeway Schools Trust. To visit the YCST website, please click on the logo below.

The Scheme of Delegation, which explains which roles have been delegated to the Pannal Governing body by the Board of Trustees, can be found in the policies section of the website.

Documentation relating to the work of Pannal's local governing body, including minutes of meetings, can be provided on request to the school office.

The Role of the Governors

Some of the things we do are:-

  • Make sure we keep our children safe. 
  • Work with the school staff to ensure equality and inclusion for children, staff and parents. 
  • Work with staff, parents and children to plan for the future - making sure we anticipate future demands and opportunities to further improve our school. 
  • Work with the staff to understand how well our children are achieving and if there is more we could be doing to make sure all our children have the best possible chance to succeed. 
  • Look at how we are spending pupil premium monies.
  • Have meetings with curriculum leaders to understand how well we are supporting both curricular and extra-curricular activities.
  • Monitor and measure the Strategic School Development Plan, agreeing on clear objectives and measures to track how we are doing. 
  • Get involved in recruitment and make sure we offer quality continuing professional development to ensure our staff have the best possible skills and support to educate our children. 
  • Work with school staff to best prepare our children to live in modern Britain by ensuring children understand British values of democracy, rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect for and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs and those without faith. 
  • Work with staff to ensure robust financial management and that we make the best use of funds to support our children. 
  • Talk to parents and professionals to understand their views, listen to complaints and develop ideas for how we can further improve our school. 

Governors are expected to declare any interests at each governing body meeting. The interests currently recorded are as follows:

Mrs Jane Turner is a charity Trustee of Time Together, Mr Mike Barker works for Red Kite Learning Trust, Mrs Helen Workman is a governor at Admiral Long,

Miss Sarah Mulrooney who also works in school as the business manager, Rev John Smith works for Diocese of Leeds, Mr David Rowley's daughter works in school.

Attendance at meetings is recorded by the Clerk at each meeting and details are available below.

The following are at present members of the governing body and, with the exception of Mrs Turner who is an ex-officio governor, will hold office until the dates indicated.

  • Jo Thompson (Chair)

    Co-opted Governor
    May 2020

    I have been a Governor since 2012 initially as parent governor.  Both my children attended Pannal Primary School providing a fantastic start to their education from which they have been able to thrive. I have held the role of Chair of Governors in recent years as well as link Governor roles which has provided me with a great insight to the work within the school and the opportunity for regular independent questioning and challenge.

  • Sarah Mulrooney

     

     

     

     

     

    Co-opted Governor

    November 2018

    I have been a governor since 2008, starting as a parent governor.  

    My daughter, Rachel, attended Pannal for her primary school years and had a fantastic time, remembering her time here with great fondness.

  • Sally Dent


    Co-opted Governor
    November 2018

  • Sarah Bullivant (Assistant Headteacher)

     

     

     

     

     

    Staff Governor
    January 2022

  • Jane Turner (Headteacher)

     

     

     

    Associate Governor

  • Kim Grant - Clerk to Governors

     

     

     

     

     

    Clerk to the Governors

    Sept 2022

    Having worked in administration for most of my working life I hope to bring my experience from a variety sectors to support the Governors, allowing them to support the school to the best of their ability.

  • Andrew Shepherd (Vice Chair)

     

     

     

     

     

    Coopted Governor

    June 2019

    I took on a role as governor in June 2019 and have 2 children who attend the school. 

    I am a qualified actuary and my day job involves providing investment advice to trustees of final salary pension schemes. 

     
     
     
  • Julie-Anne Sivajoti

     

     

     

     

     

    Julie-Anne Sivajoti

    I became a Parent Governor in November 2023, as I am passionate about helping the school in creating a safe and inclusive environment where all our pupils can thrive, whilst also bringing in my experience and expertise from my work as an HR Director in a large corporate to support the effective management of the school.

    I have 3 children - my two eldest currently attend Pannal Primary School and enjoy all the learning and opportunities that the school offers. My daughter will be starting shortly.

  • Steve Scarre

     

     

     

     

    Steve Scarre

    Co-opted Governor & Safeguarding Governor

    April 2022

    I have been a Harrogate resident since 1973 and have supported the local community in several ways. I was chair of governors of Oatlands Community Infant School for 18 years until 2011. During this period, I was also a governor at St Aidan’s for five years. I’m a retired accountant, having worked in education for the last 10 years of my full-time career. I was vice-principal of a large FE college in West Yorkshire. I’m the past president of Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce. I helped to organise the Harrogate Christmas Market for eight years and I’m chair of the trustees of Horticap. When I retired in 2011, I qualified as a civil and commercial mediator. I’ve conducted approximately 100 mediations since then and I’m an assessor for the London School of Mediation. I’m married to Sue, who previously taught at Pannal on a supply basis. I’ve two grandchildren, one of whom started in reception at Pannal last year.

  • David Rowley

     

     

     

     

     

    David Rowley

    Co-opted Governor

    May 2022

    I am very honoured to be a Governor at such a wonderful School. It is close to my heart as my twin grandchildren started at the school in September 2021 and have loved every minute so far. My youngest granddaughter will hopefully join them in the future.

    I spent a number of years as a Governor at Spofforth School and feel that the experience gained there and in thirty years of running my own businesses will help make a positive contribution to the future of the school.

     

  • Helen Workman

     

     

     

     

     

    Helen Workman

    Parent Governor

    June 2022

    In my role as a parent governor I enjoy being able to make a positive contribution to pupils’ education, wellbeing and the management of the school. I believe my day job as a Business and Marketing Consultant enables me to bring a fresh, strategic perspective to the school and the governing body. My daughter has attended Pannal Primary school since 2019 and is flourishing there, enjoying all aspects of her education.

  • Mike Barker

     

     

     

     

     

    Mike Barker

    I have lived and worked in Harrogate all my life and am married with three grown up children and two grandchildren, one of which attends Pannal School.

    I have links with Pannal School for the last 14 years, maintaining the School Building etc.

    Until recently I worked in a Harrogate secondary school as Deputy Facilities Manager and so I use my skill set to ensure a safe learning environment.