Knayton C of E Primary Academy

Governors

Knayton are proud to be part of the educational vision for Elevate Multi Academy Trust, whilst retaining our own strong identity. The Trustees have allowed its Academies to retain the same composition for their local governing bodies, which is set out below.

The three core functions of the local governing board are:

To ensure clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction;
To hold the headteacher to account for the educational performance of the Academy and its children;.
To oversee the financial performance of the Academy and make sure its money is well spent.

Knayton C of E Academy’s Governing Body strives to support, challenge, and empower the leadership team so that the Academy’s vision for its staff and children is achieved.

Chair of Governors: Jo Jones

Contact: j.jones@knaytonacademy.org or

Knayton C of E Academy, Knayton, Stockton Road, Thirsk, North Yorkshire, YO7 4AN

Jo Jones - Chair - co opted governor

Jo is a parent to 2 children who attend Knayton. Her background is in animal nutrition; however, Jo currently works at home on the family farm and campsite with her husband. Jo joined the governing body to give something back to the Academy which has allowed her children to flourish and thrive. During her term Jo has served as a link governor for science, data review and french and one of the things she most enjoys is meeting up with like-minded people to ensure that through reviewing and monitoring, that Knayton continues to offer outstanding teaching to all its children.

Ben Clayton – Staff Governor

Ben has been part of Knayton C of E Academy since June 2016, teaching upper Key Stage 2 (Years 5/6). Currently, he leads on Maths and Data at Knayton as well as supporting other schools with the development of their maths curriculum, as part of his role as a Specialist Leader in Education (SLE). Ben feels very privileged to work at Knayton, as its vision and ethos matches his own for what a child's education should be. The idea of building relationships with children to get the absolute best out of them, while using a creative, challenging and innovative curriculum model, means these children will achieve great things and experience an inspiring school life.

Rev. Dianne Gamble – Foundation Governor

Dianne is a the priest-in-charge of the Hillside group of churches and a Foundation Governor at Knayton C of E Academy. She was licensed to these churches at the beginning of 2019 having completed curacy in a neighbouring group of churches. Before moving into ministry, Dianne worked in museum education for York Museums Trust, where she spent 18 years at the National Railway Museum delivering workshops for schools. Nearly all her adult life has been spent working with children and young people both at work and in church. Outside of her official role, Dianne likes to read and drive steam locomotives.

Jean Smethurst – Foundation Governor

Appointed as a Foundation Governor in 2020, Jean is very pleased to have this opportunity to support Knayton Academy. She has enjoyed listening to reading, and taking part in assemblies as a member of the ‘Open the Book’ team since she moved into the area four years ago. Jean is a member of the Parish Church Council of St Mary’s Church, Leake. She spent a rewarding and fulfilling career teaching History and General Studies in secondary schools and managed these departments for many years. Subsequently she taught English for Speakers of Other Languages in adult community classes. Now retired, Jean undertakes voluntary work with NYCC Youth Justice Service and enjoys walking, reading, travel and contributing to church and community life.

Responsibilities

Together, the Governors are responsible for:

Setting aims and targets for the Academy and checking the academy’s progress towards attaining these.
Monitoring how well the Academy’s policies and plans are working.
Accounting for the performance of the Academy and the Governing Body.
Working with the Head teacher to make sure that teaching at the Academy is effective and good quality and the children are making the best possible progress.
Taking general responsibility for the Academy and its budget.
Challenging and supporting the senior management team and taking opportunities to show interest in and appreciation of staff and children.
Promoting the interests of the Academy and its children in the wider community.

Types of Governors

There are several different types of Governor:

Parent Governor

Elected from parents at the Academy by parents at the Academy.
Staff Governor

Elected from staff at the Academy by staff at the Academy
Co-opted Governors

Appointed by members of the Governing Body. They are intended to be representative of the local community and may add particular kinds of expertise.

Foundation Governor Foundation governors are representatives of the Church of England.

The local vicar is normally appointed as the 'ex-officio' foundation governor;

The other foundation governor will usually be appointed by York Diocese, following consultation with the local PCC.

Name	Term of Office	Link Governor	Name of Business	Nature of Business	Nature of Interest
Abigail Clay Executive Head Teacher	N/A	N/A	Knayton Academy	Education	Head of School
Ben Clayton Staff	01.09.2019 to 01.09.2023	N/A	Knayton Academy	Education	Teacher
Brogan Fraser- Standaloft Co opted	26.09.2022 to 25.09.2022	Safeguarding
Jo Jones Co opted	26.04.2021 to 26.04.2025	Leadership, EYFS	Farmer
Rev Dianne Gamble Foundation	Ex Officio	H&S, Collective Worship	Hillside group of Churches	Religion	Priest
Jean Smethurst Foundation	18.01.2021 to 18.01.2025	RE, Curriculum	Retired
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