Governors

Thorogate School Governors

Gail Foster

Co-opted Governor

Chair of Governors

I have been involved in school governance for over 25 years, initially as a Parent Governor and more recently a Local Authority Governor with experience in Primary and Secondary settings. I am currently Chair of Governors at Anston Hillcrest Primary School & Governor Representative at Rotherham Education Strategic Partnership.

I retired from the Police service in 2016 working for South Yorkshire and Humberside Police. From January 2000 until my retirement I worked in the Career Services and Training Department which involved teaching and training Leadership and Management, Training Trainers, Coaching and Mentoring, Promotion, Career and Talent management of staff at a local and national level. I also have experience delivering in Higher and Further Education; this involved teaching Post Graduate Certificate in Education and Foundation degree in Education, Learning and Support for Sheffield Hallam University and Rotherham College.

Although retired, I currently work part time delivering/assessing and mentoring Level 5 Diploma for Leaders and Managers Apprenticeships for Sheffield College with staff within Nottinghamshire Fire Service and Sheffield Teaching Hospitals.

I am an excellent communicator, dealing with conflict, managing difficult conversations and I am a good listener. My areas of experience include Performance and Change Management, finance, data analysis, Human Resource issues, Project Management, Managing Complaints, recruitment and selection of staff and senior leaders, including Heads, Deputies and Assistants.

I became a National Leader of Governance in May 2014, in order to improve the quality of governance and to aid better outcomes for children. This work is allowing me to coach and mentor other Chairs of Governors and to improve the standard of governance within schools in the Sheffield, Rotherham and East Riding of Yorkshire areas. I have recently completed training to become involved in External Review of Governance.

In December 2018, I was appointed as the governor representative on the Rotherham Education Strategic Partnership. This board reviews the educational needs of all children across the borough.

Adrian Harvey

Community Governor, Appointment Date: September 2018

Safeguarding Governor

Project Development Leader at Pops Outdoor Adventure Centre in Rawmarsh

I have worked in and around schools for over 15 years now, internally as support for BASE (pre-pru) students in secondary education, off site support and engagement and home education. This experience in my previous and current roles has given me many years of experience in working with children with complex social, emotional and behavioural issues. I have been in design and marketing for over 20 years and have helped promote, advertise and raise the profile of schools, businesses and community groups around the country.

I currently run a not for profit social enterprise called Pops Outdoor Adventure Centre working with the local community especially young people delivering outdoor activities during the holidays, after school clubs and school enrichment activities. Pop's main aim is to help improve the mental and physical health of young people in our community and to encourage them to lead a more active lifestyle. I work extensively with may local schools and schools in the wider community providing curriculum support by taking any class topic and transforming it into an outdoor learning experience at school or at our own site in Rosehill Park. I also work with many pupil referral units for children with intense emotional and behavioural issues and create structured fun learning experience to help build self confidence and resilience with a view to help support their social/emotional and educational needs. Pop's are also registered with ROSIS as a supplier to help improve outdoor learning provisions in schools and to help support teaching staff to bring learning outdoors while still maintaining the learning objectives of the curriculum. Pop’s also deliver CDP training for teaching staff to help enable them to work with confidence in the outdoors with their classes.

As a local businessman I have a very good understanding of finance, legal structures, safeguarding, health and safety, marketing and advertising and fundraising.

I believe Thorogate school has the potential to be an outstanding school and a vibrant place for young people to shape their futures! I am proud to be a part of the team to help make this possible!

Lynne Pepper

LA Governor

I have over 30 years of experience working in education; the last 13 as a headteacher of a Rotherham school. I am passionate about the quality of education for all children and equipping children with the skills to ensure that they are successful citizens. In 2015 I was awarded an OBE for services to Education and Enterprise. I am currently working for the Local Authority as a School Improvement Partner.

I am looking forward to becoming a member of the governing board and getting to know the staff and pupils. I will use my skills and knowledge to support the school in achieving positive outcomes for all.

Ed Roebuck

Staff Governor & Assistant Headteacher

I have been a teacher at Thorogate School since 2013 and am currently based in Year 6, specialising in Maths and Computing. I was elected as Staff Governor in June 2021 and am enjoying the opportunity to represent Thorogate as both a member of staff and a governor. It is my role to represent the staff’s point of view on the governing body in order to add clarity to our school’s stakeholders and to continue to drive the school’s vision forward.

Danielle Weston

Associate Governor & Asisstant Headteacher

I have moved to Thorogate School in Sep 2021 and currently teach in year 2. I have over 10 years of experience working in education in various settings, with a strength and passion for English. I have a strong commitment to making sure there are high aspirations and opportunities for all children. I am a naturally inquisitive person and through my experiences and by being part of a previous governing board, I have developed the skills to question and analyse effectively. I am committed to achieving the best possible outcomes for the children and staff at Thorogate School. Becoming a governor allows me a superb opportunity to work closely with the whole school community and contribute to the values and overall effectiveness of the school. I am looking forward to contributing to the governing board at Thorogate School and supporting the school as it continues to grow and flourish in the future!

Nerys Rollinson

Parent Governor

My children moved to Rawmarsh Thorogate School in 2018, as we had moved to the local area. I feel that it is a very welcoming school, and encourages parents and children to become involved in the school community. I became a Parent Governor in May 2022, as I wanted to become more involved with my children's education and decisions that are being made in school.

I have one son who attends Thorogate, and two who were previously pupils and now attend Rawmarsh Commmunity School.

I work for RMBC, and have done so for the past 22 years primarily within Rawmarsh and the surrounding area in a role that has allowed me to gain number of skills, including community engagement and consultation.

Marie Titterton

I have 29 years of experience working in Finance, this includes 14 years working in further education, 7 years in local authority and the last 8 years as a Business Manager in a Rotherham Infant School for which I am also a Staff Governor. From this experience I have gained the knowledge, skills and understanding to support Rawmarsh Thorogate School in all aspects of funding and financial processes.

Chris Pearson

Parent Governor

I have worked in education for 10 years as a teacher and now as a teaching and learning manager, working at a further education college.

My daughter started at Rawmarsh Thorogate School in September 2022 and I jumped at the chance to become a Parent Governor. I believe my experience of working in quality assurance within education provides me with the knowledge and skills to be able to look objectively as well as analyse the quality of education, to ensure the best possible outcomes for the children of Rawmarsh Thorogate School.

With my daughter's journey only recently beginning at Thorogate, I am looking forward to working with staff, pupils and Governors for the long term.

John Barnett

Headteacher & Designated Safeguarding Lead

I am Headteacher of Thorogate School and have been since September 2007. I am passionate about all pupils achieving their potential through a vibrant curriculum that challenges pupils to be leaders of their own learning. Respect, Responsibility and Pride is the school motto and this is central to our philosophy; for pupils and staff.

jbarnett@thorogateschool.co.uk

Governance Arrangements & Register Of Business Interests

Governors - April 23 (1).docx

Governing Board Attendance

Have you ever thought about making a contribution to the provision of education in this community? You can!

Thorogate School has positions available on its governing body for a Parent Governor.

Why does a school need governors?

Schools have governors to ensure the smooth and effective running of a school. Their role is to both support the headteacher and senior leadership team, but also to ensure that they are held to account.

What will you get out of being a governor?

Being a school governor is a truly rewarding experience. As a school governor, you give back and make a difference to the young people in the school you are a governor for. You take some of the responsibility for how funds are spent, you help to hold the headteacher to account and you support the school with its strategic direction. It’s a big responsibility, but you will know that you are truly having an impact on the next generation, supporting them in their educational journey.
You gain a variety of skills - teamwork, negotiation, problem-solving, business awareness, decision making, influencing
Being a school governor gives you networking opportunities - governing boards should be diverse by design and as a result, present a lot of opportunities for networking and meeting new people who have similar values to you. Through meeting fellow governors, you get the opportunity to get fresh ideas, access new information, gain new perspectives and potentially advance your career. There will be a wealth of varied knowledge around the table and being at that table too means you can listen and learn from your fellow governors.
Gain knowledge for your school - this benefit will be more helpful to those who are on a governing board at a school that is not the one they work at. You can gain invaluable insight on a governing board about how other school communities run. The potential knowledge you will be given can then be applied to your own school and/or career development.
Be part of a wider community - you also get the chance to get to know the wider neighbourhood in which you work. Schools are usually at the heart of communities and you will get the chance to meet people who care hugely about the future of the children and the area in which they live.

What does a governor do?

Governors work together with the school leaders. This might include…

ensuring there is clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction
talking to the key leaders about the educational performance of the organisation and its pupils
ensuring the voices of a parent and community member is heard

What does this really mean?

Governing bodies work closely with the headteacher and senior leaders. The headteacher is responsible for day to day management; however, the governors do have oversight of…

the ethos, the values and the ambitions for the school
working with senior leaders to develop a strategy for achieving the vision
ensuring that parents, pupils, staff and the wider community are involved, consulted and informed
ensuring that all pupils have access to a broad and balanced curriculum such that pupils are well prepared for the next stage of their education and adult life

Governors must monitor the priorities that have been set to ensure progress is being made. Examples might be…

measuring the school's impact and progress
ensuring the required policies and procedures are in place and the school is operating effectively in line with these policies
asking challenging questions of school leaders in order to hold them to account

Each Governor takes a lead in a key area such as Reading, Safeguarding or Art, supporting the school directly, this could include attending specific panels and/or committees.

How often would I need to attend meetings and contribute?

You would attend a Full Governing Board meeting per term and also committee meetings if you become a member of a committee such as the finance committee.

you will need to read the papers and prepare questions for senior leaders
you will get to know the school, including visiting the school termly during school hours
you will undertake induction training and developing knowledge and skills on an ongoing basis

Who do I speak to about getting involved?

It's easy… In the first instance just email or call Mr Barnett, the headteacher (jbarnett@thorogateschool.co.uk).