Welcome to the Ellwood Community Primary School Governing Body page.

Ellwood School’s Governing Body work very hard to support the Headteacher, teaching staff and its pupils. The main vision and aim is to ensure that Ellwood Community Primary School is able to provide the best possible education for our children and to prepare them for life in modern Britain. 

School governors are volunteers who strive to make a positive contribution to children’s education and life. Together, with the head teacher, they set the future direction of the school,  plan for school improvement, monitor its effectiveness and decide how the school’s budget should be spent to ensure good outcomes for all. They make decisions collectively on matters such as school policies and the school’s development plan and act as a "critical friend" to the school. They support the school but also hold leaders to account.

The members that make up the Governing Body are chosen by the local authority, the community and parents.  All our Governors are volunteers and are not paid for the role. They have their own jobs and lives but they still dedicate their own time to the school for the good of the children.  Some are visible in school on a regular basis, whilst others bring other expertise such as financial, HR, strategic planning, education and other helpful skills.  They are a valuable asset to the school, bring wisdom and different perspectives.

As well as sharing a common desire to be involved in supporting the school, the Governing Body have statutory duties by which they are legally bound.  The Governing Body is ultimately responsible for all matters relating to the school including teaching and learning, safeguarding, health and safety, staffing, premises and ensuring financial accountability and sustainability. The full Governing Body meets approximately once every term. There are two committees (resources and performance & standards) who meet regularly to consider more specific issues of finance, staffing and curriculum.

The Vital Role of Our Governing Body

At the heart of every successful school is a strong and dedicated governing body. While much of their work happens behind the scenes, governors play a crucial role in shaping the direction, standards, and future of our school. Their commitment ensures that every child receives the best possible education in a safe, supportive, and ambitious environment.

The Three Core Roles of the Governing Body

The governing body has three main strategic responsibilities:

1. Setting the Vision and Strategic Direction
Governors help define the long-term vision for the school. They work closely with school leaders to set clear goals and priorities that reflect high expectations for all pupils. This includes supporting the development of school improvement plans and ensuring that the school continues to evolve and respond to the needs of its community.

2. Holding Leaders to Account
A key role of governors is to monitor and challenge the performance of the school. They review data, visit the school, and ask important questions to ensure that teaching quality, student outcomes, and well-being remain strong. By holding the headteacher and senior leadership team accountable, governors help maintain high standards and continuous improvement.

3. Overseeing Financial Performance
Governors are responsible for ensuring that the school’s budget is managed effectively and that resources are used wisely. This includes making sure funding is directed where it will have the greatest impact on pupils’ education and ensuring value for money in all areas of spending.

What Do Governors Actually Do?

Governors come from a variety of professional and personal backgrounds, bringing a wealth of skills and perspectives to the school. Their responsibilities include:

• Attending regular governing body and committee meetings

• Reviewing school policies and procedures

• Monitoring safeguarding and health and safety

• Visiting the school to see teaching and learning in action

• Supporting and challenging school leadership

• Engaging with parents, staff, and the wider community

Importantly, governors are not involved in the day-to-day running of the school—that is the responsibility of the headteacher and staff. Instead, they focus on strategic oversight and long-term success.

Why Their Role Is So Important

The work of the governing body is essential to the ongoing success of our school. By providing strategic leadership, support, and accountability, governors help ensure that:

• Pupils achieve the best possible outcomes

• Staff are supported and developed

• Resources are used effectively

• The school remains safe, inclusive, and forward-thinking

Without their guidance and careful oversight, it would be far more difficult to maintain the high standards we all expect.

A Heartfelt Thank You

We would like to take this opportunity to express our sincere thanks to all members of the governing body. Their role is voluntary, yet they give generously of their time, energy, and expertise for the benefit of our school community.

Their dedication, thoughtful challenge, and unwavering support enable our school to grow, improve, and thrive. We are incredibly grateful for everything they do to ensure the best possible future for our pupils.

Thank you for your continued commitment and for helping our school flourish.

Reverend Michelle Ireland - Chair of Governors

I have been visiting Ellwood Community Primary School for over two years as the local Methodist Minister.  During this time I have led assemblies, worked with groups of children to plan assemblies  and have advised staff on various festivals throughout the year. Having previously been a primary school teacher it has been good to be back in the school environment.

I am passionate about the whole area of mental health and well being for pupils and staff and affirm the school motto, ‘Believe, Achieve, Belong.’ These are vital elements for a school that aims to provide a nurturing, inspiring and inclusive environment where children, staff and governors are cared for and their potentials are realised.

Mrs Woodhouse qualified as a teacher after having a 10-year career in ICT. She gained a BSc Honours degree in Information Technology whilst working in an ICT environment. Teaching was always a career that she wanted to pursue due to the rewarding nature of the job and being able to inspire the next generation. Having a short break from ICT in 2014 opened up the opportunity to complete a PGCE in Primary Education. 

Mrs Woodhouse has been part of Ellwood School since 2018, teaching Year 5 and Year 6, and joined as a Staff Governor in October 2023. Mrs Woodhouse is Senior Teacher and SENCo and has a number of responsibilities which include leading;  English, Geography and History.