Governors work as a team. They are responsible for making sure the school lives out its distinctly Christian vision. In 'doing everything in love' they ensure that Windmill provides a good quality education for all pupils. Raising educational standards in school is a key priority. This has the best chance of happening when there are high expectations of what pupils can achieve.
Governors challenge and support leaders so that school develops effective ways of teaching and learning, behaviour and pastoral support. They ensure that the budget and policies are fit for purpose so that the school continues to 'do everything in love'. They do this together with the head teacher, who is responsible for the day-to-day leadership and management of the school.
Governing boards are accountable to parents, the local community and the Local Authority. Appointments are for three or usually for four years. The governing board's main role is to help raise pupils' standards of achievement.
The Governing Board:
- ensures that the distinctly Christian vision is lived out in all aspects of school life
- is accountable for the performance of the school to parents and the wider community
- plans the school's future direction
- selects the head teacher
- makes decisions on the school's budget and staffing including the performance management policy
- makes sure the agreed Curriculum is well taught
- decides how the school can encourage pupils' spiritual, moral and cultural development
- makes sure the school provides for all pupils including those with special needs.
Governors are at the heart of how a school operates. It's important they get things right. How they do their job effects the interests of pupils, staff and the reputation of the school in the community. Governors support and challenge head teachers by gathering views, asking questions and discussing what's best for the school. They are not there to rubber stamp decisions. They have to be prepared to give and take advice and must be loyal to decisions taken by the governing board as a whole.
Local Authority Governor- Ann Midgley - Chair of Governors, appointed by GB/board.
3 Terms - 21 Sept 2021 - 20 Sept 2025
I am a LA appointed Governor and have served on the GB of Windmill since 2017. I was elected to the position of Chair of Governors in January 2020.
I am currently the governor with responsibility for the learning and progress of SEND pupils and ‘Pupil Premium’ pupils.
Prior to my retirement I was the headteacher of a large primary school in Dewsbury, West Yorkshire. The school was host to a Resourced Provision Unit for 20 pupils with significant special educational needs. I had been at the school for 12 years and had previously worked in a wide range of schools for a total of 35 years in different local authorities.
I have a great deal of experience within the area of recruitment and school improvement. When I took up my headship the school was categorised as a 'failing school', there were no areas of strength. The final judgment made by the Local Authority Improvement Partner, prior to my retirement, was that the school fitted the Ofsted description of ‘Outstanding’.
In addition to my headship I had supported a range of schools for 18 years. This support has been both formal, as a Consultant Leader and School Improvement Partner and informal as a mentor to head teachers with a particular need. I have worked with schools from ‘Inadequate’ to ‘Outstanding’; all have had challenges in which I believe I played an important part in tackling.
I have been a governor for more than twenty five years, as a teacher governor, a headteacher governor and a Local Authority governor. I believe passionately that ‘schools are for children’ and that every child must be given all the support necessary to become confident, resilient and successful with strong self-belief
Darren Foulke - Headteacher, appointed by LA June 2020
Reverend Jess Davies - Appointed by LA September 2024
Foundation Governor - Justine Young, appointed by GB/Board. Term: 7 Apr 2021 - 6 Apr 2025
I am pleased to join the governing body in 2017 as a Foundation Governor. As a former pupil of the school, I now live locally with my husband Paul and our two children, my son, who is currently in Key Stage 1, and my youngest child who will begin school in 2018.
As well as being Mum, I am also a Project & Process Manager and since having my boys I work part-time for a financial organisation in Leeds. From my business experience, I bring skills to the governing body in data/financial management, process analysis and design, risk and change management and project governance.
I am an active member of St. Saviour’s Church and have been volunteering as the Sunday School leader there since 2011. In this role, I endeavour to inspire our young people (from babies to teenagers) to enjoy participating in a Church community and to learn how to apply their Christian faith to their everyday lives. I hope that I can support the school in affirming its similar vision and values and help to maintain an enduring relationship between school and church.
Foundation Governor - Naomi Bracewell, appointed by GB/board.
2 terms - 7 Apr 2021 - 6 Apr 2025
Being a part of the Windmill's governing body allows me to use my experience as a parent, a teacher and an active member of St Saviour's church to support the school in providing the best opportunities for all of our children.
I am particularly interested in supporting Early Years as this has been my specialism in my 18 years teaching experience.
Co-Opted Governor - Gareth Archer, elected by parents.
2 Terms: 19 Oct 2021 - 18 Oct 2025
I have lived in the area since 2001 and believe that a good school with good leadership has a positive impact on the community. My children attend Windmill and I have already witnessed changes to improve the school since James first attended in 2013.
Since qualifying as a solicitor in 1999 I have worked in private practice, primarily dealing with dispute resolution and property matters. I am head of a litigation team in a Yorkshire firm. I also have experience in employment law.
I welcome the opportunity to contribute to the work of the school in ensuring a high standard of achievement is met for the current pupils and future generations.
Parent Governor - Matthew Bancroft, elected by parents.
1 Term: 3 Nov 2021 - 2 Nov 2025
Windmill Primary means a lot to me given my children’s positive experiences here, as well as the fact I went to the Infant and Primary school on the same site as a child. As such, I want to give back to the school and offer myself as Parent Governor.
I am Chartered Accountant by background and I qualified working in the private sector, working with small and medium sized businesses. Since qualifying, I have spent the last 11 years working within NHS finance, mainly at Sheffield’s Children’s Hospital, as well as charity experience through associated NHS charities. I believe that my experience of private, public and voluntary sector will allow me to provide a different insight as a Governor.
My current role at Doncaster & Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals involves me implementing and reviewing financial controls and risk for the organisation. I am member of the Audit Committee, and regularly work with Public Governors, and I believe that this experience will help in this role. As I have held senior roles with the NHS, I believe that I have the strategic vision to help the school, and having managed large teams in the past, I have a great deal of HR experience which may be useful in the role.
In my spare time, I love going out and about with my family and I have recently become a coach of Howden Clough Football Club Under 6 side.
Parent Governor - Andrew Barker, elected by parents.
3 Terms: 3 Nov 2021 - 2 Nov 2025
I grew up, went to school and still live locally in Batley – and my daughter attends Windmill CofE Primary School. I want to ensure that the school my daughter attends is the very best it can be – and in doing so that means the best for every other student and staff member at Windmill too. I’ve been fortunate to be an Associate Governor at Windmill for quite a few months now and I feel that my skills can be added to the current Governing Board to guide the school to an even better position.
For seven years I’ve been the Managing Director of a software development company and thus I’m very experienced in all aspects of modern business. My role involves managing finances, budgets, strategy, teams, projects and many bits in between – and I work with large amounts of technology and data on a daily basis.
I can bring all this experience to the table at Windmill as well as a no-nonsense, concise and clear attitude and communication style to get things done. I’m a good listener, a keen learner and I’m open-minded to ask questions and take on varying points of view. I’m particularly keen on problem solving and I’m confident in challenging points of view with a view to continual improvement, both personally and for the wider Windmill students and team.
Outside of work I’m a budding pianist and Trustee of a charity that provides canal and river trips for disadvantaged groups of people. I have a particular passion around equality and mental health and this will help me in the role of a parent governor to ensure that I’m focused on making sure the students at Windmill are in the best possible place to grow, learn and prepare for the world ahead of them.
Staff Governor - Claire Gill, elected by staff
1 term: 20 Sept 2023 - 19 Sept 2027
Register of Governors attendance
Register of Governors' Business interests updated Sept 2024
