School Governors
SCHOOL GOVERNORS
Do you care about children’s education or are you concerned about how a School is run and financed?
If you have some time to spare, are able to attend meetings (usually between 4pm-6pm) and can call into school during lesson times on various occasions, then why not become a School Governor at Mayflower Primary School and have some input in this important and rewarding role? You will also be expected to attend Governor Training sessions either locally or at Colchester and read school policies etc.
Whatever your background if you are interested, please contact the Chair of Governors, John Morgan via email at admin@mayflower-pri.essex.sch.uk to arrange an informal discussion. At the moment, we are particularly keen to hear from potential Governors who have a background in finance and/or have an understanding of data and statistics and how to interpret these.
Mayflower Governor Attendance
Mayflower Governors Register of Business Interests
Mayflower Primary School Instrument of Governance
Our Governing Body
What is it?
All schools in England have a Governing Body which is responsible for overseeing many of the strategic decisions of the school. A key role is to act as a ‘critical friend’: to support, to challenge, to ask questions, ultimately to represent the school community.
The Governing Body works in close partnership with the headteacher, staff and the local authority. Whilst the headteacher is, of course, responsible for the day to day running of the school, the governors are involved with such things as staffing, curriculum, school buildings and finance. It ensures the school functions well and maintains the proper range of academic and social objectives.
Who are we?
In September 2014 the governing body elected to reconstitute. We took this decision as it allowed us to change the numbers and types of governors we have and to appoint more people on the basis of the skills they could bring.
The governing body now consists of:
- The headteacher
- One elected staff governor
- One elected parent governor
- 8 co-opted governors
The standard term of office for a governor is four years. The chair and vice-chair are elected annually at the first meeting of the academic year.
The chair of governors is Mrs. Helena Pitcher who can be contacted via the school office.
At The Mayflower Primary School, the Full Governing Body meet once per term with additional Committee meetings.
The governing body of The Mayflower Primary School is currently:
Chair of Governors:
Mrs. Helena Pitcher
Vice Chair of Governors:
Mr. Alex Timms
Co-opted Governor:
Mrs. Denise Watson
Mrs. Lynne Walker
Mrs. Louise Hodgeson-Darnell
Mr. Gerry Deane
Mr. Lee Murray
Mr. Mark Tubby
Mrs. Tracey Cochrane
Staff Governor:
Miss. Emily Stephens
Parent Governor:
Mrs. Helena Pitcher
Headteacher:
Mrs. Elizabeth Bartholomew
Clerk to Governors:
Mrs. Louise Cockerton
Our Chair of Governors and Clerk to the Governors can be contacted via the school office.
Governor Profiles:-
Helena Pitcher - Head of Governors
I have lived and worked in the Harwich area for most of my life. I am a mum to 3 boys, and have been a Mayflower Primary School parent since 2017.
I became a parent governor in September 2023 as I wanted to have a greater understanding of how the school operates and to support the school in continuing to provide the best education and opportunities to all it's pupils.
Lynn Walker - Co-opted Govenor
Appointed by GB/Board October 2023
I was a primary school teacher for over 25 years, teaching 3-11 year olds. Until recently I was Programme Manager for the school-centred initial teacher training based at Chase Lane Primary School, training teachers for local primary schools. By becoming a governor I hope to apply my experiences to the advantage of Mayflower Primary School.
Emily Stephens - Staff Governor
I have worked at Mayflower since September 2020, I started teaching in Year 2 and I am currently teaching in Year 6. I really enjoy working at Mayflower - the pupils are amazing and the school is a growing vibrant community. My experience of working daily with our pupils, alongside my colleagues, will give me a unique insight of the school to bring to the governing body.
Tracey Cochrane - Co-opted
I have worked at Mayflower Primary School for 20 years and I am currently the School Business Manager. Both of my children attended the school and Mayflower built the foundation of their knowledge. I am passionate about the school and helping the staff and governors to work hard to give our children the best education and learning experience we can.
Louise Hodgeson-Darnell
All governors to a school’s Governing Body must be elected or appointed.
If you want to be part of The Mayflower Primary School’s Governing Body please enquire about any vacancies.
Contact the Headteacher
If you would like to contact the Chair of Governors, please do so using the contact form below.