Governors

Message from the Chair of Governors

The Governors of Hampreston School welcome you. Here you should be able to find out about the Governing Body of the School, what we do, and how we operate.

There are twelve Governors of the school. As you will know, this is a Church school. The Headteacher, Mrs J-A Palfrey and the Rector of the Benefice, Rev. D. Meering are Governors as they are the office holders of their respective positions in school and church.

Miss R Richards is the elected Staff Governor.

Mr T. Hallam is the elected Parent Governor.

The remaining six Governors, known as Foundation Governors, are appointed by Salisbury Diocese on the recommendation of the Parish Councils of Hampreston and Ferndown. They are Mrs R. Cuthbert (Vice-Chair), Mr L. Frost, Mr S. Collins and Mr W. Pyke (Chair).

The Governors have three major roles, which are legal requirements laid down by the Government. First, the Governors set the mission, aims and vision for the school: in brief, we want it to provide all our pupils with an excellent education within the experience of loving, working and worshipping in a community which is inspired by the Christian Gospel. Secondly, we hold the Headteacher and her team to account for the standard of education achieved by the children. Finally, we work hard to ensure that the school works within its budget to ensure that the money is spent properly and wisely for the benefit of the children. All Governors are trained in these roles by a combination of the Diocese Board of Education, the Local Authority, the National Governance Association, and various other specialist organisations.

We fulfil these roles by holding about nine meetings of the full Governing Body each year, together with separate committee meetings to monitor the finances and to make sure that the children joining the school are admitted according to the published admissions policy. We check, amend and agree the different policies of the school. Much of this work is known technically as “holding the Headteacher to account”.

It is a privilege to serve these children in this way. No Governor is paid to carry out these responsibilities, but we take up these tasks with enthusiasm and joy, and a wish to serve the community of the school. Currently, it is my privilege to serve as Chair of Governors.

Mr. W. Pyke

Our Aims

In five years, we aim for Hampreston First School to be recognised across East Dorset for the excellence of its provision for education and personal well-being, both for pupils and for staff.

In line with this, our Governors have set five milestones:

Milestone 1: That all elements of the new SIAMS framework will be embedded in every aspect of school life.

Milestone 2: That pupil progress in Maths will be measurably enhanced.

Milestone 3: That in all Foundation subjects the quality of increased outcomes will be measurably improved.

Milestone 4: That mental health and well-being will be excellent.

Milestone 5: That all pupils will have measurably improved reading outcomes, using the enhanced Phonics schemes.

Who we are

Will Pyke

(Chair of Governors / Foundation Governor)
‘I am currently Chair of Governors. I have been a member of the Governing Body since 2019. I was for forty years a Secondary School teacher, and it has been lovely to see the contrast and to be involved with helping in the education of our children here at Hampreston. I live close by and am a member of St. Mary’s church. I love reading and have become a published author. My hobbies include photography, nature, travel, as well as retaining an intense interest in my professional specialism of history.’
Ruth Cuthbert

(Vice-Chair of Governors / Foundation Governor)
‘I was delighted to become a governor of this incredible school, once my children had left, as the school had become such a central part of my life! This is my second term as a school Foundation Governor and as I am an active member of Hampreston Church, one of my key responsibilities is to ensure the religious character of the school is maintained; along with setting the school’s vision, ethos and strategy. Over the years I have sat on various committees, such as Safeguarding, Ethos, Curriculum, Finance and SIAMS, in order to extend my knowledge of governance. Currently I am the Literacy link governor and joint vice-chair.’
Larry Frost

(Foundation Governor)
Sue Moss

(LA Governor)
Julie-Anne Palfrey

(Ex-Officio Headteacher)
TBC

(Clerk to Governors)
Mr Stephen Collins

(Foundation Governor)
Mr Tom Hallam

(Parent Governor)
Revd Dom Meering

(Foundatin Ex-Officio)
Miss Rhiannon Richards

(Staff Elected)