School Community » Governors
Governors
Who are we? What do we do?
The Governors’ role is not about fundraising nor about cheer-leading for the school – although governors might well do these things! Their role is to provide strategic leadership and accountability in the school. This means they do not take decisions about the day to day running of the school but have a general responsibility for the effective management of the school. This includes involvement with the appointment of staff, finances, the curriculum and the school buildings.
Each governor is a member of the Governing Body. All decisions are those of the Governing Body as a whole and no governor can act independently of the rest of the Governing Body.
Much of the work of the Governing Body is done by committees which also usually meet twice a term with governors on the whole being a member of just one committee. At Pool we have the following committees:
Resources which includes Finance, Premises, Staffing, Health and Safety,
Teaching, Learning and Assessment (TLA)
Pupil Support which includes Foundation (Church)
The standard term of office for a governor is four years. Whilst the Governing Body may at times look for various specific skills, there are no particular qualifications or requirements, other than a willingness to give time and commitment to the role, undertake any necessary governor training and be able to work with others as a team – although an ability to question and analyse does help!
For more information on being a governor, please see the National Governornance Association
Who’s who …?
The Governing Body of Pool School:
Headteachers have an automatic right to a place on the Governing Body. At least one staff governor place should be available for an elected teacher. Staff governors may not chair the Governing Body meetings, or committees. Staff governors are only excluded from discussions of the salary and conditions of employment of other members of staff.
Joanne Pellow (elected by the Local Authority) is the Chair of our Governing Body and the LA Representative. She trained and worked as a solicitor specialising in property development. She has lived in Pool since 1998. Joanne sits on the Pupil Support and Resources committees and aims to make a positive contribution with her organisational and team management skills. (22/07/23 - 22/07/27. Joanne is now in her 4th term of office)
Claire Taylor Info to follow.
Rachel Worsnop (elected by the staff) has worked at Pool CE Primary school since 2008 teaching in Year 3, Year 1 and Reception. She is the SENDCo and part of the Safeguarding team in school. She graduated from Leeds Metropolitan University in 2001 with a degree in BA Early Years Education with QTS. She has completed her SENDCo qualification. She has 2 children and lives in Menston. (17/07/24 - 16/07/28 . Rachel is in her 2nd term of office)
Moira Keith is a Foundation Governor (appointed by the Diocesan Board of Education for the Diocese of Leeds): a retired Clinical Physiotherapy Manager for Neurosciences at Leeds Teaching Hospitals and now a Licensed Lay Minister in our local Benefice of Lower Wharfedale. She is part of the Pupil Support Committee and Foundation Governor Committee. (07/09/2021 - 06/09/2025. Moira is in her 4th term of office)
Vikki Farrar (appointed by the Governing Body) is an Underwriting Delivery Manager with 30 years experience in financial services in insurance and IT software. She is a Prince 2 practitioner in project management and ITIL certified. Vikki is the vice-chair of our Governing Body and chairs the TLA Committee. (13/06/24 -12/06/28 Vikki is in her2nd term of office)
Joe Allen (appointed by the Governing Body) - Joe currently works in digital marketing within the independent education sector and has previously worked at multiple universities in roles covering student recruitment, widening participation and admissions. Joe has been also been a governor at a local secondary school for just over two years and joined Pool's Governing Body in 2021, interested in applying his skills and experience within the primary phase of education.(03/02/2021 - 03/02/2025)
Alex Allen (elected by the Parents) - Alex sits on the IT Services Senior Leadership team at Leeds Beckett University. This department of c130 are responsible for the provision, development, and support of digital technologies for approximately 2200 staff and 24,000 students. Alex has a passion for developing people and processes and, through continual service improvement activities, has led their service desk to achieve the highest international SDI certification of any university service desk. Holding a BSc in Music Technology and Audio systems, Alex has just completed a Master of Business Administration degree with distinction and is looking forward to using the skills and knowledge developed to help govern the school. Alex is a Pool resident with two young sons and with a passion for sport, he combines the two to help coach his son’s football team at the weekend. (11/11/2022 - 11/11/2026)
Andrew Riley (elected by the Parents) - Andew is a chartered accountant and works as a corporate finance director at a large accountancy firm, advising clients on acquisitions and disposals of businesses. Prior to training as an accountant, he completed a PhD in pure mathematics at the University of Hull. Andrew has lived in Pool since 2012 and has two young children. Andrew's other interests include tennis and cycling. (11/11/2022 - 11/11/2026)
Claire Kirk (appointed by the Governing Body) - Claire is an HR professional and has worked in the NHS for over 18 years. She is a member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) and is currently working in Cyber Security for NHS England, leading on how the NHS attracts and retains top cyber talent. Claire lives locally with her husband and 2 children, and outside work enjoys running and baking. (13/07/2023 - 13/07/2027)
Jen Peachey (appointed by the Governing Body) (25/09/24 - 24/09/28) - Info to follow
Anne Proctor (appointed by the Governing Body) - Anne is currently in her 5th year of headship at a Church of England school in East Morton, Bradford, with a similar size and ethos. Working in this role has deepened her appreciation for the community impact of schools. Anne is a mum of three – two of whom have already flown the nest. Anne also enjoys the gym and walking the dog.(06/11/24 - 05/11/28)
Rev. Stroma McDermott (Ex-officio foundation governor (appointed by foundation by virtue of the office they hold)) - (09/11/2023 - 09/11/2027). Info to follow.
Alison Finlay (appointed as an Associateby the Governing Body) is the school's Business Manager and is an Associate Member of the Governing Body. She has worked within the education authority and the Otley, Pool and Bramhope family of schools since 2004. (25/09/24 - 24/09/25)
Sarah Mather (appointed as an Associate by the Governing Body). A previous Foundation Governor at Pool Primary School, Sarah is a qualified teacher and FE lecturer and has worked in education since 2005. Her main focus has been literacy and language, however she has also taught key skills and computing. Currently, she works in a support role in SEN/D schools in Leeds. Sarah lives in Pool with her husband. Her 3 adult daughters all attended Pool Primary. (25/09/24 - 24/09/25)
Rachael Thomas (appointed as an Associate by the Governing Body). Rachael has been a qualified Primary School Teacher for over 13 years and is currently completing her NQPSL. She moved to Yorkshire from Cornwall 11 years ago and now teaches in a mainstream school with a resourced provision for children with complex physical and medical needs. She has three children; two of whom attend Pool Primary School.
Richard Parker (2022 - 25/09/24) - resigned due to ill health
Helen Pratten (27/11/23 - 28/11/27) - resigned January 2024
Pat Morrison-Gray (30/09/2022 - 30/09/2026) - resigned August 2023
Rev. Craig Marshall (18/06/2020 - 18/06/2030) - Resigned February 2023, due to relocation
Register of Interests
Claire Taylor, Rachel Worsnop and Alison Finlay are members of staff.
To enable our Governors to be an active part of our school and well-known to our pupils, they are assigned to classes and stay with that class throughout their school journey at Pool. The Governors often come into school to work alongside the children; accompany them on school trips and attend class and whole school assemblies or Collective Worship.
CLASS LINK GOVERNORS. 2024-25
Rec Governor: Sarah Mather and Rachael Thomas
Y1 Governor : Claire Kirk and Anne Proctor
Y2 Governor: Joe Allen
Y3 Governor: Moira Keith and Jen Peachey
Y4 Governors: Andrew Riley and Joanne Pellow
Y5 Governor: Alex Allen
Y6 Governor: Vikki Farrar
How to Contact a Governor
The school Governing Body is working hard in partnership with staff and parents to ensure that the school and pupils reach their full potential. We welcome constructive feedback and are keen to respond to any concerns.
If you wish to discuss your child, we would encourage you to speak directly with your child's class teacher, or with the Headteacher, in the first instance.
Some governors have children in the school and would be happy to be approached in the playground. The Governing Body is also represented at parents' evenings and school events. Alternatively, please ring the school office on 0113 2843151 and a message can be passed on.