Welcome

Here you will find information about the Governing Body of St Mark’s CE Primary School.

We are a group of 10 people made up of School staff, Church appointees, parents and others with a keen passion to ensure that the children of St Mark’s receive the best education possible.

The core functions of the Governing Body are as set out in The School Governance (Roles, Procedures and Allowances) (England) Regulations 2013, regulation 6(2) and include, but are not limited to ensuring:

• that the vision, ethos and strategic direction of the school are clearly defined
• that the headteacher performs their responsibilities for the educational performance of the school
• the sound, proper and effective use of the school’s financial resources

A Governing Body and its governors must, as required by Regulation 6(2):

• act with integrity, objectivity and honesty and in the best interests of the school
• be open about the decisions they make and the actions they take and shall be prepared to explain their decisions and actions to interested parties

The Governing Body also has legislative responsibility and strategic oversight for the school’s safeguarding arrangements.

Effective governance is based on six key features:

• Strategic leadership that sets and champions vision, ethos and strategy.
• Accountability that drives up educational standards and financial performance.
• People with the right skills, experience, qualities and capacity.
• Structures that reinforce clearly defined roles and responsibilities.
• Compliance with statutory and contractual requirements.
• Evaluation to monitor and improve the quality and impact of governance.

DfE (October 2025) Maintained schools: governance guide

As a Governing Body, we have a range of expertise to ensure that these 3 functions are fulfilled. We meet regularly throughout the academic year as a Governing Body in order to carry out these functions.

We meet as a Governing Body twice each term when we all discuss, question and challenge the leadership of the School. One of the Meetings is a full Governing Body Meeting and the other is a School Improvement Committee Meeting (all Governors are members of this Committee). The statutory Committees meet as and when necessary. 

We also attend Governor Days which are held regularly throughout the academic year. This is when we visit School to carry out first-hand monitoring. We have the chance to talk to the children and staff and to experience life at St Mark’s for ourselves. We also visit School at other times.

The School has close links with the parish church of St Mark’s and the Governors, together with the children and staff, attend important celebrations, at Church and in School, to mark the passing of the Church year and to learn about the Church. The children regularly attend events at Church.

Governing Body List 2026/2027

There are no Associate Members.

Governors who have served in the last 12 months

 Rev Nigel Traynor Ex Officio Term ended 19.4.2026

Mrs Christine While Foundation Governor Term ended 17.3.2026

Register of Governors’ Business Interests 2026/2027

 

Mrs J Price                Casual work for Dudley MBC as a Governance Professional

                                  Member of the Resolutions Team for Windsor Multi Academy Trust

                                  Chair of Governors at St Margaret's at Hasbury CE Primary                                                                  School, Halesowen

                                  Chair of Governors at Halesowen CE Primary School, Halesowen

                                  Member of Management Committee at Sycamore Short Stay

                                  School, Dudley

                               

Mr K Rondeau, Mrs F Jones, Mrs D Jones, Mrs S Harris, Mrs E Elgerton, Rev C Smith, Mrs Vaccarella and Mrs E Field have no business interests.

Governor Committees 2026/2027

The Governing Body meets as a whole Governing Board once each term. The School Improvement Committee meets once each term. Statutory Committees meet as and when they need to do so. These Committees are shown below.

School Improvement Committee

All Governors

Chair of School Improvement Committee - Mrs F Jones

Head Teacher's Appraisal Committee

 Mrs J Price (Chair)

 Mrs F Jones

Pay Committee                                     Pay Appeals Committee

Mrs J Price (Chair)                                   Mrs E Elgerton (Chair)      

Mrs F Jones                                         

                                        

Staff Dismissal Committee                              

The Chair of Governors will constitute the Committee as and when they need to meet from Governors who are available and eligible to constitute the Committee.

Staff Dismissal Appeals and Pupil Discipline Committees

The Chair of Governors will constitute the Committee as and when they need to meet from Governors who are available and eligible to constitute the Committee.