Our Governing Body

Governors work closely with head teachers, school staff and representatives from the local authority (LA).

You can find out more about their roles and responsibilities by clicking on each name below:

Name of Governor	Category	Term of Office Start	Term of Office End	Committee/s	Special Interest Areas	Register of Interests
Mrs Victoria Burnett	Co-opted	19/04/2023	18/04/2027	Safeguarding, Health and Safety. Teaching and Learning.	Chair of Safeguarding, Health and Safety Committee. Link Governor for Health and Safety. Link Governor for SEND.	Member of staff at this school.
Mr Philip Davidge	Parent	13/03/2024	12/03/2028	Achievement and Data. Appeals. Finance.	Chair of Achievement and Data Committee. Link Governor for Maths. Link Governor for Turing Scheme (overseas travel).	Related to member of teaching staff at this school. Parent at this school.
Mrs Libby Gibson	Co-opted	12/11/2025	11/11/2029	Appeals. Safeguarding, Health and Safety. Teaching and Learning.	Link Governor for Well-Being. Joint Link Governor for PSHE.	Parent at this school.
Mr Andrew Gladstone-Heighton	Co-opted	23/10/2022	22/10/2026	Achievement and Data. Finance. First/Pay Review. Head Teacher's Performance. Personnel.	Chair of Governors. Chair of First/Pay Review Committee. Chair of Head Teacher's Performance Committee. Link Governor for English. Link Governor for Geography. Link Governor for Pupil Premium. Link Governor for RE. Sustainability Champion.	Parent at this school.
Mrs Rachel Graham	Parent	11/01/2023	10/01/2027	Achievement and Data. Appeals. Personnel. Teaching and Learning.	Joint Vice Chair of Governors. Chair of Teaching and Learning Committee. Link Governor for Design & Technology. Link Governor for Early Years. Link Governor for French.	Parent at this school.
Mr Stephen Paley	Associate Member	15/01/2024	14/01/2028	Finance.	Chair of Finance Committee.	Related to a Play Supervisor.
Mr Matt Patterson	Staff	13/11/2024	12/11/2028	Achievement and Data. Personnel.	None.	Deputy Head Teacher at this school.
Mrs Marian Robson	Co-opted	07/11/2025	06/11/2029	First/Pay Review. Personnel. Safeguarding, Health and Safety.	Chair of Personnel Committee. Link Governor for Children in Care (including Previously Children in Care). Link Governor for History. Link Governor for Safeguarding.	None declared.
Mr Mark Temple	Staff	01/09/2025	N/A	Achievement and Data. Appeals. Finance. First/Pay Review. Personnel. Safeguarding, Health and Safety. Teaching and Learning.	Head Teacher.	Head Teacher at this school.
Mr Robert Walker	Parent	08/03/2023	07/03/2027	Finance. First/Pay Review. Head Teacher's Performance. Safeguarding, Health and Safety.	Link Governor for Computing. Link Governor for Cyber Security. Link Governor for OPAL. Link Governor for PE.	Parent at this school.
Mrs Katie Wallace	Parent	10/06/2026	09/06/2030			Parent at this school.
Mr Sean Wilcock	Parent	19/10/2023	18/10/2027	Personnel. Safeguarding, Health and Safety. Teaching and Learning.	Joint Vice Chair of Governors. Link Governor for Art & Design. Joint Link Governor for PSHE. Link Governor for Science.	Parent at this school.

How To Become A School Governor

If you require further information on the roles and responsibilities of School Governors or you are interested in becoming one, visit the Durham County Council website School Governor section.

Statutory Guidance for Governing Bodies

Tanfield Lea Community Primary School adhere to the statutory guidance from the Department of Education. This means that governing bodies must have regard to it when carrying out duties relating to the constitution of governing bodies in maintained schools. For further information please view or download the full document and other supporting documents below.

The Constitution of Governing Bodies of Maintained Schools
Tanfield Lea Community Primary School Governing Body Constitution – June 2026
Governor Committee Structure – June 2026
NGA Code of Conduct November 2025

Governor Attendance

Schools are now required to display a record of Governors’ attendance at meetings for each school academic year.

KEY
✓ – Attended meeting
A/A – Apologies sent and accepted by meeting
N – Did not attend
X – Not a member of the committee

Record of Governor Attendance 2025 – 2026

Name	Achievement and Data Committee 17 September 2025	Safeguarding, Health and Safety Committee 15 October 2025	Finance Committee 22 October 2025	Full Governing Body Meeting 12 November 2025	Teaching and Learning Committee 17 November 2025	Personnel Committee 18 November 2025	Achievement and Data Committee 14 January 2026	Safeguarding, Health and Safety Committee 4 February 2026	Full Governing Body meeting 11 March 2026	Personnel Committee 11 March 2026	Teaching and Learning Committee 16 March 2026	Finance Committee 18 March 2026	Achievement and Data Committee 13 May 2026	Safeguarding, Health and Safety Committee 3 June 2026	Teaching and Learning Committee 8 June 2026	Full Governing Body meeting 10 June 2026	Personnel Committee 10 June 2026	Finance Committee 8 July 2026
Vicki Burnett	X	✓	X	✓	✓	X	X	✓	✓	X	✓	X	X	✓	✓	✓	X	X
Phillip Davidge	A/A	X	✓	✓	X	X	A/A	X	✓	X	X	✓	✓	X	X	N	X
Libby Gibson	X	X	X	✓	A/A	X	X	A/A	✓	X	✓	X	X	✓	A/A	✓	X	X
Andrew Gladstone-Heighton	✓	X	✓	✓	X	X	✓	X	✓	X	X	✓	✓	X	X	✓	✓
Rachel Graham	A/A	X	X	✓	✓	A/A	✓	X	A/A	A/A	✓	X	✓	X	✓	✓	✓	X
Matt Patterson	✓	X	X	✓	X	✓	A/A	X	✓	✓	X	X	✓	X	X	✓	✓	X
Stephen Paley	X	X	✓	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	✓	X	X	X	X	X
Marian Robson	X	✓	X	✓	X	✓	X	✓	✓	✓	X	X	X	✓	X	✓	✓	X
Mark Temple	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓
Robert Walker	X	✓	✓	✓	X	X	X	✓	A/A	X	X	✓	X	✓	X	✓	X
Katie Wallace	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	A/A	X	X
Sean Wilcock	X	✓	X	✓	X	✓	X	✓	✓	✓	A/A	X	X	N	✓	✓	✓	X

Archived Attendance
You can also view previous years attendance on our website.

Committee Terms of Reference

Achievement and Data Committee

CHAIR: Mr P Davidge
Terms of Reference:

Ensure that the school provides a high-quality education for all pupils (the impact), especially disadvantaged pupils, those with SEND, those who are known (or previously known) to children’s social care, and those who may face other barriers to their learning and/or well-being, that gives them the necessary knowledge, skills and qualifications to succeed in life, and equips them for the next stage of their education, training or employment.
Conduct the school with a view to promoting high standards of education achievement.
Set targets for achievement at Early Years, Key Stage 1 (KS1) and Key Stage 2 (KS2) and monitor the school’s performance against these targets and national standards.
Receive assurance that pupils, on the whole, are achieving well and this is evidenced in their attainment and progress in national tests and examinations, which are broadly in line with national averages, including for disadvantaged pupils.
Receive assurance that pupils make progress from their starting points in all subjects across the curriculum.
Review internal assessment data to understand what this indicates about pupil achievement and what decisions leaders have made as a result.
Monitor the achievement of disadvantaged groups and the impact of policies on race, Special Needs and Disabilities (SEND), Children in Care (CIC)/Post Children in Care (PCIC) and Disability on children, parents and communities.
Contribute to the development and monitoring of the School Enhancement Plan and the School Evaluation Framework.
Set priorities for improvement and monitor and evaluate the impact of improvement plans which relate to the committee’s area of operation.
Ensure that every child receives the full statutory curriculum that the school must provide.
Ensure the school has a curriculum policy that meets pupils’ needs.
Consider published data (eg the IDSR) and understand what this indicates about achievement over time.
Monitor and evaluate the quality of education and the impact of the curriculum including Reading in all key stages.
Ensure that a report on each pupil’s educational achievements is forwarded to their parents/carers annually.
Regularly review the Assessment Policy and ensure that the policy is operating effectively.
Set attendance targets and monitor the school’s performance against these targets.
Monitor and review pupil attendance data against attendance targets.
Monitor and review impact of additional grant funding eg Pupil Premium.
Receive reports from external sources and agree actions to address recommendations; monitor and evaluate progress made.
Advise the Finance and Premises Committee on the relative funding priorities necessary to deliver the curriculum.

Meetings: At least termly.
Quorum: 3
Disqualifications: None.

Appeals Committee

CHAIR: To be confirmed
Terms of Reference:

Consider any appeal against a decision made under the HR policies adopted by the Governing Body.
Consider any appeal against a decision made by the First/Pay Review Committee during the annual review of teachers’ salaries.
Consider any appeal against selection for redundancy through a staffing reduction process.
Consider complaint in accordance with the school’s Complaints Policy.

Meetings: As and when required.
Quorum: Must have at least the same number of Governors as were present at the original hearing.
Disqualifications: Head Teacher; Chair of Governors (if have prior knowledge); any Governor involved in the original hearing; where there may be a conflict of interest; any Governor whose spouse/partner is involved; staff (appeals in relation to salary or staffing reduction decisions).

Finance Committee

CHAIR: Mr S Paley
Terms of Reference

Finance:

In conjunction with the Head Teacher to draft and propose the first formal budget plan of the financial year for approval by the full Governing Body.
Establish and maintain an up-to-date three-year financial plan, taking into account priorities in the School Enhancement Plan, roll projection and signals from central Government and the Local Authority (LA) regarding future years’ budget.
Ensure that priorities detailed within the School Enhancement Plan are appropriately costed and are reflected in the annual budget.
Monitor the capital and revenue budget position statements to identify and address any anomalies from the anticipated position and report termly to the full Governing Body.
Review and monitor outstanding debts and action taken.
Review the year end outturn report.
Monitor and authorise expenditure over the Head Teacher’s delegated limit.
Consider and approve spending decisions where competitive quotations or tenders are required in accordance with the current Contract Procedures Rules.
Ensure the school operates within the financial regulations of the Local Authority and the requirements of the Department for Education (DfE) Schools Financial Value Standard (SFVS).
Approve annually the SFVS submission prior to the 31 March deadline.
Review Related Party Transaction Register.
Monitor the implementation of any identified actions in the SFVS submission.
Monitor expenditure of all voluntary funds held on behalf of the Governing Body and receive an audited annual statement of income and expenditure.
Annually review the outcomes of the asset register stock check and approve the disposal of obsolete items.
Review and monitor all financial policies including lettings, charging and remissions and expenses policies.
Consider and promote income generation.
Annually review income generated from lettings, fees and charges, fund raising activities and the sale of assets.
Monitor Extended Care provision including review of annual income and expenditure statements where applicable.
Ensure the school has appropriate insurance cover in place.
Annually review and approve the school’s Financial Procedures Manual and all other finance related policies.
Annually review and make decisions in respect of service level agreements and other contracts and lettings.
Make decisions on expenditure following recommendations from other committees.
Ensure as far as is practical that health and safety issues are appropriately funded in accordance with agreed priorities.
Annually review financial benchmarking data.
Monitor the implementation of actions arising from the Internal Audit report or of a financial nature from other inspection regime report.
Ensure any instances of fraud or financial irregularity are reported immediately to the Head of Education and Skills and Chief Internal Auditor and Corporate Fraud Manager.

Premises:

Ensure that premises and the learning environment are maintained and are fit for purpose.
Ensure professional surveys and emergency works are arranged as necessary.
Oversee the use of premises by outside users.
Annually review the school’s Accessibility Plan and Asset Management/Building Development Plan.
Receive and consider the recommendations from annual inspections eg Energy Report, Tree Survey.

Meetings: At least termly.
Quorum: 3
Disqualifications: Where there may be a conflict of or a pecuniary interest.

Delegation to the Head Teacher

The School Standards and Framework Act 1998.

The Governing Board can delegate to the Head Teacher responsibility for deploying resources, subject to the provisions in the Scheme for the Financing of Schools in County Durham.

Expenditure

Any item of expenditure up to £5,000.
Above this limit if item was previously notified to the Governing Board.
Prior Finance Committee or Chair of Governors approval (whichever is the soonest) to be sought outside of these limits and reported to the Finance Committee at the earliest opportunity.

NOTE: Any goods/services purchased and works to be carried out are subject to the latest Durham County Council Contract Procedures Rules as purblished on the School Portal.

Expenditure Limits

Expenditure Limits
Any items of expenditure up to	£5,000
Above this limit if item was previously notified to the Governing Body Prior Finance Committee or Chair of Governors approval (whichever is the soonest) to be sought outside of this limit and reported at the earliest opportunity

NB Any goods/services purchased and works to be carried out are subject to the Durham County Council Contract Procedure Rules (March 2025) for quotations ie quotations or tenders to be invited from capable contractors based on the likely value of the procurement over its lifetime:

Between £500 and £5,000 at least one quotation.
Between £5,001 and £50,000 at least four quotations on a price-only basis.
Between £50,000 and £177,898 at least three quotations must be obtained on a price and quality basis.
Over £177,898 full tender process.

First/Pay Review Committee

CHAIR: Mr A Gladstone-Heighton
Terms of Reference

Annually agree the Teachers’ Pay Policy.
In accordance with the Teachers’ Pay Policy, ensure that a robust performance management process is in place, consider recommendations in relation to any UPR applications received or other payments or allowances and note the automatic pay progression of Teachers.
In accordance with the Teachers’ Pay Policy receive an update from the Performance Management Governors regarding the pay progression of the Head Teacher.
Consider any requests made in accordance with Human Resources (HR) policies (unless delegated to the Head Teacher).
Make any decisions under HR procedures adopted by the Governing Body eg disciplinary, attendance, capability etc (unless delegated to the Head Teacher).
Deal with matters relating to staffing reductions, restructures and changes to the permanent school staffing structure.
Lifting of Head Teacher’s suspension (lifting of all other staff suspensions delegated to the Chair of Governors).

Delegation to the Head Teacher
Under the 2003 Staffing Regulations the Governing Body determines the extent to which it delegates to the Head Teacher responsibility, up to and including first written warning.

Meetings: At least annually.
Quorum: 2
Disqualifications: Head Teacher, Chair of Governors (if have prior knowledge); where there may be a conflict of interest; any Governor whose spouse/partner is involved; staff (annual pay review and matters relating to staffing reductions).

Head Teacher’s Performance Review Committee

CHAIR: Mr A Gladstone-Heighton
Terms of Reference:

Set, with the support of the External Advisor (EA) or Local Authority Adviser, the Head Teacher’s annual performance objectives.
Monitor throughout the year the performance of the Head Teacher against agreed performance objectives.
Review, with the support of the EA or Local Authority Adviser achievement of performance objectives.
Make recommendations to the First/Pay Review Committee in respect of the Head Teacher’s annual incremental pay.

Meetings: Autumn term, plus mid-year review meetings.
Disqualifications: Head Teacher and staff.

Personnel Committee

CHAIR: Mrs M Robson
Terms of Reference:

Carry out an annual review of the staffing structure in consultation with the Head Teacher and Finance Committee.
Ensure the school is sufficiently staffed to fulfil the effective operation of the school and the School Enhancement Plan.
Oversee the recruitment and selection procedures for all staff.
Keep under review work/life balance, working conditions and well-being including monitoring attendance management.

Delegation to Head Teacher

School Staffing (England) Regulations 2009.

The Governing Body can delegate the power to appoint outside the leadership group to:

The Head Teacher
One or more Governors with the right of the Head Teacher to advise.
One or more Governors and the Head Teacher.

Appointments:

Governing Body delegates to Head Teacher and at least one Governor responsibility for the appointment of:

Permanent teaching staff post.
Permanent support staff post.
Temporary staff.

Dismissals:

Delegation to the Head Teacher in line with school HR policies.

The Governing Board agreed that should the Head Teacher be the subject of any conduct, capability, performance or discipline proceedings, delegation was to the Chair of the Governing Board.

Lifting a Suspension:

All staff (excluding Head Teacher) – Chair of Governors.
Head Teacher – First/Pay Review Committee.

Meetings: At least annually.
Quorum: 3
Disqualifications: Where there may be a conflict of or pecuniary interest; any Governor whose spouse/partner is involved.

Safeguarding and Health & Safety Committee

CHAIR: Mrs V Burnett
Terms of Reference:

Ensure the school is fulfilling its responsibilities regarding safeguarding and child protection and the requirements of ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education’ (KCSIE).
Ensure that regular monitoring of the Single Central Record is undertaken and that it is up to date and compliant with current statutory expectations.
Ensure Safeguarding policies are adhered to; monitor and review all safeguarding policies/procedures within school.
Set priorities for improvement and monitor and evaluate the impact of improvement plans which relate to the committee’s area of operation.
Ensure the school has an effective behaviour and anti-bullying policy. Monitor the implementation of these policies and their impact.
Ensure school is fulfilling its responsibilities with regards to pupils accessing alternative provision.
Ensure that adequate provision is made for pupil transition.
Annually approve the Health and Safety Policy ensuring that the school meets health and safety requirements.
Ensure actions are taken in respect of relevant health and safety legislation.
Receive an annual Health and Safety Audit Report and monitor arising actions.
Provide support and guidance for the Head Teacher and Governing Body on all matters relating to the maintenance and development of the premises and grounds, including health and safety.
Ensure that an annual inspection of the premises and grounds is undertaken and that priorities for maintenance and development are identified.
Ensure inspections of the school site, buildings and equipment take place annually and at appropriate intervals and that reports are shared.
Review Fire Audit at least annually.
Ensure appropriate Risk Assessments are carried out and reviewed on a regular basis.
Monitor data on accidents and incidents.
Develop and review policies identified within the school’s policy review programme and in accordance with its delegated powers (eg sex education).
Ensure that the school’s policy on SEND is consistent with the Code of Practice and Equalities Act, most recent KCSIE updates and receive termly reports from the Head Teacher/SENDCo and an annual report from the SEND Governor.
Ensure the SEND Policy is monitored and reviewed regularly and that the policy is known to parents/carers.
Ensure the school works effectively with other agencies to support vulnerable children and their families.
Ensure the school complies with the provisions of the Equalities Act 2010.
Ensure all children have equality of opportunity.
Monitor and evaluate the quality of education and the impact of the curriculum including PHSCE.
Monitor pupils’ attitudes, values and development of other personal qualities within the school through the provision of RE and PHSCE. Ensure parents are informed of the right to withdraw their child.
Aims and values for the school are agreed and positive ethos for the school is promoted. Policy decisions are consistent with the agreed aims, values and ethos.
Ensure the school has an effective school council. The Governing Body takes account of the school council in determining the way in which the school is conducted.
The school promotes inclusive policies that allow for the achievement of all pupils.
Ensure that school has policies on Race and Disability Discrimination.
Act as Pupil Discipline Committee for Permanent/Fixed Term Exclusions.
Consider representations from parents/carers in the case of suspensions in line with statutory guidance.
Consider the appropriateness of any permanent exclusion or any exclusion where one or more suspensions total more than 15 days in one term or where a pupil is denied the change to take a public examination in line with statutory guidance.

Meetings: At least termly.
Quorum: 3
Disqualifications: None.

Teaching and Learning Committee

CHAIR: Mrs R Graham
Terms of Reference:

In general terms, monitor teaching and learning and the progress of children.
Ensure the quality of education, teaching and learning.

Strategic Direction and Statutory Areas

Review, monitor and evaluate the curriculum offer.
Contribute to the development and monitoring of the:

–    Self Evaluation Framework.
–    School Enhancement Plan.
–    Targets for school improvement.

Assessment and Improvement

Ensure that the school curriculum is of high-quality and ambitious for all pupils (the intent), particularly those who are disadvantaged, those with SEND, those who are known (or previously known) to children’s social care, and those who may face other barriers to their learning and/or well-being.
Ensure that the curriculum is designed to give pupils, including those detailed above with the knowledge they need to take advantage of opportunities, responsibilities and experiences in later life.
Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of leadership and management in relation to curriculum design, implementation and impact.
Monitor the effective delivery of the curriculum (the implementation) across all subjects, year groups and key stages.
Monitor and evaluate the school’s own assessment of the impact of the curriculum for all groups of children to include Reading in all key stages.
Monitor and evaluate the quality of teaching and learning and the impact on rates of pupils’ progress and standards of achievement.
Monitor and evaluate provision for all groups of vulnerable children eg children looked after and children in need and ensure all their needs have been identified and addressed.
Receive assurance that all pupils build strong foundations for accessing the curriculum and for later success, including academic achievement, good health and well-being.
Ensure the school’s curriculum covers the statutory requirements set out in the basic curriculum (which includes the national curriculum, and relationships, sex and health education, and religious education).
Ensure that the curriculum contributes to pupils’ personal development and SMSC.
Monitor and evaluate the impact of continuing professional development on improving staff performance.
Ensure all aspects of appraisal are carried out.
Receive reports from external sources and agree actions to address recommendations; monitor and evaluate progress made.

Meetings: At least termly.
Quorum: 3
Disqualifications: None.

Download

You can download the Governing Body Terms of Reference by clicking the link below:

Terms of Reference June 2026

You may need a product like Adobe Reader (free download) to view our PDF documents on our website.