The Governing Body
Overview
Swallow Dell Primary & Nursery School has a maximum of twelve governors. Some governors are parents of children at the school, some are members of the local community and some are members of staff. They key factor all governors have in common is that we all care about Swallow Dell and the individuals and families who make up our community. Currently Swallow Dell has a committed team of 12 governors who play an important role in the leadership, performance, development and everyday life of the school. As governors, we are unpaid volunteers and are either elected or appointed to serve a four-year term of office. Our membership consists of:
- 2 parent governors (elected by the parent body)
- 1 Local Authority (LA) governor (appointed by the LA, but candidates can be suggested by the governing body)
- 1 staff governor (elected by the school staff)
- 1 Headteacher
- 7 Co-opted governors (appointed by agreement of the whole governing body) (1 vacancy)
All of our governors have equal rights to participate in the work of the governing body and to state individual views and are very much encouraged to do so, but we work as a team and are bound by the collective decisions of the team. Governors may serve for more than one term of office if they wish to nominate themselves again (for parents or members of staff), or are invited to do so by the full governing body (for the co-opted and LA roles).
Governors are required to comply with statutory safeguarding regulations and are only eligible to serve on our governing body with clearance from the Disclosure and Barring Service.
More information on the role of a school governor can be found on the Herts Direct website: http://www.hertsdirect.org/services/edlearn/getinvolved/governors/
We support the school, the children, staff and parents to make this a school of choice.
What is required to become a school governor at Swallow Dell Primary & Nursery School?
As individuals we each have different reasons for becoming a governor, we come from a variety of backgrounds, and between us bring a wide range of useful skills, experience and expertise to the governing body. It is not necessary to be an expert on educational matters to become a school governor, although it is vital to seek to understand fully the role and responsibilities involved to be able to support the school effectively and enable it to continue to develop and flourish. Enthusiasm, commitment and being a good team player are the key underlying personal qualities needed. It is expected that both new and experienced governors take full advantage of the wide range of training opportunities and information available. A record is kept of all training undertaken.
Underpinning all of this, governors at Swallow Dell Primary& Nursery School fully respect the requirement to act in the best interests of the school at all times, being open and transparent, operating with integrity and honesty. At the start of each academic year, all governors sign the Code of Conduct, and complete the Declaration of Interests in which any business or pecuniary interests are declared, details of any other educational establishments they govern, together with any close links or relationships between governors and members of the school staff including spouses, partners and relatives. In addition, it is routine practice for any conflicts of interests to be declared if and when they arise during any governor discussions or meetings. Governors are also very aware of all e-safety issues; in addition to ensuring that all appropriate guidelines, policies and procedures are in place, each governor also signs the school’s ICT Acceptable Use Agreement. All Governors have read and are very aware of the DFE Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) Policy.
All parties have declared interests, including where they have none. All interests that exist have been recorded on the register.
Kostas Daratanas: Welwyn Garden Design Ltd. Landscaping grounds work. Assisting school with Site Manager tasks.
Sheena Morjaria: Health and Safety Executive. Business and Finance interests.
Articles of Association
The Articles of Association is the document that sets out the composition of the governing body and provides the framework for governance arrangements. Please contact our clerk if you would like to see this document.
What is our role?
We work in partnership with the Headteacher, who is our principal professional advisor, to ensure that the best possible all-round education is being provided for all the children in a high quality learning environment, making the most effective use of the resources available to the school and in compliance with all statutory regulations and procedures. Whereas the day-to-day management and teaching and learning are the responsibility of the Headteacher supported by his/her senior leadership team, the governors have a strategic role holding the school to account for overall standards and acting as “critical friends” by offering encouragement, guidance and support. We measure achievements against targets, and also provide honest and candid feedback by challenging constructively.
How do we work?
The role of school governor does involve a significant commitment, but our work is planned in a structured way to recognise and accommodate other work and personal commitments. The full governing body has 6 formal evening meetings during the school year, and an additional planning meeting at the start of September. Minutes of the meetings are available. Please contact the clerk.
Swallow Dell’s governors follow the ‘Circle Model’ having moved to this approach in September 2022. The Circle Model is a focused and streamlined approach where the monitoring of specific areas is assigned to individual or pairs of governors, instead of committees. This approach still allows for working parties to be established to address specific issues as required.
Governors communicate with parents via the school weekly newsletter on a variety of issues, including notification of vacancies on the governing body. We also meet informally with parents at a variety of school events throughout the school year.
There is a very high level of attendance by governors at Governing Body meetings. Apologies are required when attendance at a meeting is not possible and any non-attendance is always considered by governors and recorded in the minutes. There have been no occasions where meetings have not been quorate and no unacceptably low levels of attendance or commitment by any governor.
All full governing body Minutes are available to read upon request to the our clerk.
This year, our full governing body will be meeting on the following dates:
18 September 2024
27 November 2024
22 January 2025
19 March 2025
21 May 2025
02 July 2025
Please find below details of how our current governing body is structured, including the names, categories, responsibilities and terms of appointment for each governor.
GOVERNING BODY PROFILE 2024/25
LESLEY HOLLINSHEAD Co-opted Governor, Chair of Governors
First appointed 1.10.22; Current term of office expires 30.09.26
Responsibilities: Health & Safety, English Curriculum across the School, Finance
My name is Lesley and I am Chair of Governors for Swallow Dell Primary & Nursery School. I am a retired teacher of English at secondary level. I was also a GCSE English Language examiner for a number of years.
My role in school is to support the Headteacher by promoting and maintaining high standards of educational achievement of its pupils and for the performance and management of staff. Together with the governing body we set a clear vision, ethos and strategic direction for the school. I enjoy spending time with my family and walking my two dogs. My hobbies include, flower arranging, embroidery and reading.
Meeting attendance 2023/24: FGB 6/6
Meeting attendance 2024/25: FGB 4/4
CHARLIEY JOYCE Staff Governor
First appointed 1.4.15; Current term expires 1.4.27
Responsibilities:
Charliey is also Assistant Headteacher.
I have been at Swallow Dell for 10 years and a governor for over 5. I am Assistant Head of Early Years and Key Stage 1, currently teaching year 2. I enjoy seeing children progress from their first day in our Nursery and Reception to the independent young people they become as they leave school. In my free time I enjoy spending time with my family and reading.
Meeting attendance 2023/24: FGB 5/6
Meeting Attendance 2024/25: FGB 4/4
KOSTAS DARATANAS Co-opted Governor
First appointed 1.10.20; Current term expires 30.9.28
Responsibilities: EYFS Link, Health & Safety Link, Governor Development Link
I am a self-employed Landscaper and garden designer and I’ve lived and worked in Welwyn Garden City for a great many years. I’m passionate about plants and the wider Environment, Ecology and Conservation. I have my own allotment garden where I grow lots of plants and flowers and enjoy spending as much time as possible. I enjoy walking, cycling and puzzles
Meeting attendance 2023/24: FGB 6/6
Meeting attendance: 2024/25: FGB 3/4
REBECCA RAMSDEN Parent Governor
First appointed 6.12.21; Current term expires 5.12.25
Responsibilities: Safeguarding Link (incl e-Safety), Staff Wellbeing Link, Young Carers Link
I have been a parent governor for the school since November 2021 and am the link governor for Safeguarding, Staff Wellbeing and Young Carers. I am originally from Yorkshire and have lived in Hertfordshire for 8 years. I work in north London for an NHS mental health Trust and really enjoy my job. I very much value being part of the governing board, supporting the school to be the best it possibly can and hope to add to the skills held by the board.
Meeting attendance 2023/24: FGB 4/6
Meeting attendance 2024/25: FGB 4/4
ROSS GILLAM Co-opted Governor
First appointed 1.10.20; Current term expires 1.10.28
Responsibilities: School Improvement Link, Pupil Premium Lead, HR Lead, Head’s Performance Review Board
I joined the Board of Governors in 2020 having always had a keen interest in education and voluntary initiatives. I work in communications and sustainability, and live in Hertfordshire with my wife and two children.
Meeting attendance 2023/24: FGB 6/6
Meeting attendance 2024/25: FGB 3/4
DARREN CROSS Co-opted Governor
First appointed 18.1.23; Current term expires 17.1.27
Responsibilities: ICT/Website Link, E-safety Link
I work in the Technology Industry across a multitude of sectors (networks, communications, retail and banking) with the last 12 years heading a quality assurance team.
I am the newest member of the governing body and live locally. My children have all attended Swallow Dell. I am keen to be more involved with the school in my role as governor and to help wherever I can.
Meeting attendance 2023/24: FGB 5/6
Meeting attendance 2024/25: FGB 3/4
STEFANIE MURPHY Co-opted Governor
First appointed 13.9.23; Current term expires 12.9.27
Responsibilities:
I joined the Governing body in September 2023, as a co-opted Governor. I work as a civil servant in energy and decarbonisation policy and I have a strong interest in sustainability, which I hope to bring to my role as governor. I also have a child at the school and have lived in Welwyn Garden City for 17 years.
Meeting attendance 2023/24: FGB 6/6
Meeting attendance 2024/25: FGB 3/4
RACHAEL ADELEYE Co-opted Governor
First appointed 13.9.23; Current term expires 12.9.27
Responsibilities:
I’m a university lecturer specialising in Human Resource Management and Leadership with over ten years of experience in recruitment and employment relations in the NHS and higher education.
I am a local resident and a parent of children at Swallow Dell Primary and Nursery School. I’ve always held a strong interest in education and volunteer work. I’m excited to become a part of the governing body and eager to contribute to the school in any way possible.
Meeting attendance 2023/24: FGB 4/6
Meeting attendance 2024/25: FGB 3/4
ADEYINKA ADEYOYIN Co-opted Governor
Terms of office 3.7.2024 to 2.7.2028
Responsibilities:
I am a Chartered Health & Safety and Chartered Quality professional with over 14 years of HSEQ experience. I currently work with an engineering consulting firm in the construction and downstream petroleum sectors.
As a resident of Welwyn Garden City and a parent of children at Swallow Dell Primary and Nursery School, I strongly believe in quality education for all children. I am excited to join the school governing body and look forward to supporting the school and its students in any way possible.
Meeting attendance 2024/25: FGB 1/4
SHEENA MORJARIA Parent Governor
First appointed 7.10.24; Current term expires 6.10.28
Responsibilities:
I am a newly elected parent governor at Swallow Dell Primary School, where my two sons currently attend. As a former primary school teacher, I bring valuable insight from both a parental and educational perspective. I am passionate about fostering an inclusive and supportive learning environment and am excited to work with the leadership team to ensure that all decisions prioritise the needs of the students. In my free time, I enjoy exercising and spending quality time with my family.
Meeting attendance 2024/25: 3/3
Governors who have stepped down in the last 12 months:
ANDREW TAYLOR Co-opted Governor
First appointed 1.1.22; Current term expires 31.12.25
Meeting attendance 2023/24: FGB 5/6
Meeting attendance 2024/25: FGB 1/1
ELIZABETH GINGER Co-opted Governor
First appointed 24.4.15; Current term expired 23.1.24
Meeting attendance 2023/24: FGB 2/2
EMMA RHOADES Co-opted Governor
First appointed 24.4.15; Current term expired 24.1.24
Meeting attendance: 2023/24: FGB 0/3
How to contact the governing body
If you wish to contact the governors or would just like to find out more about the work of the governing body, please do so via the school office by telephone or email sdgovernors@swallowdell.herts.sch.uk.
