Cavendish Avenue, Buxton, Derbyshire SK17 9AE

01298 22278

enquiries@burbage.derbyshire.sch.uk

Burbage Primary School

Our Governors

Dear Parents, Carers, Families and Friends

On behalf of all the Governors of Burbage Primary, we would like to take this opportunity to welcome you to our wonderful school. Our children are encouraged to learn, develop, create and grow in a secure and caring setting. 

At Burbage Primary School, we want our pupils to grow up as happy, kind, and compassionate young members of the community. We want our school to be a place where pupils can develop resilience and independence in a supportive environment. We want to foster individuality and instil a love of learning that lasts a lifetime. We want all of our children, regardless of their background, ability, or need, to have self-confidence and aspirations. We also want families, the school, and the community as a whole to work together effectively; we are all committed to working together to achieve this vision for our school.

Our pupils are happy and enjoy attending school. We are extremely proud of the curriculum and clubs that our teachers provide. Our staff are exceptionally dedicated and provide a high standard of education. Pupils are encouraged to try their best and to succeed. They are also encouraged to develop into responsible, caring young people that display good manners and behaviour.

We hope you enjoy exploring our website and learning more about our wonderful school. Please feel free to contact the office if you would like a visit to see our school in action and our busy pupils at work.

Finally, to conclude, all our staff and Governors are very approachable to all, encouraging children and parents to be actively involved in ensuring that our school is a success. Please feel free to get in touch.

Yours sincerely,

Elizabeth Crisp and Helen Goodman

Co-Chairs of Governors

Meet our Governors (please click for biographies and appointment terms)

Burbage Governors (ID 1012)

  • Elizabeth Crisp
    Co-Chair/Co-opted Governor

    Elizabeth Crisp

    I enjoy working alongside Helen as a co-chair at Burbage Primary School. It is an incredible privilege to fulfil this role at the primary school that I have such fond memories of attending. I have worked as a Senior Lecturer and Researcher at a University for 7 years. My background is midwifery and I still maintain my midwifery practice and registration. I have an interest in education and lifelong learning, I enjoy using my passion for education to give back to the community. I love being part of a journey to help pupils at the school to thrive academically and become kind, compassionate and caring members of our community.

    Commenced 16 February 2022 (Appointed by governing body). Term ends 15 February 2026.

  • Helen Goodman
    Co-Chair/Co-opted Governor

    Helen Goodman

    My background is in arts management and production, having worked on large scale events and touring shows. I work for Buxton International Festival producing the classical music and opera programme; I also work for Manchester Jazz Festival taking care of artists and commissioning new work through talent development. I was Head of Drama in Secondary and Primary education before I stepped over to the arts management side. My daughter attends Burbage and I’m always blown away by the dedication from staff who foster her little personality.

    Commenced 10 February 2020 (Elected by parents). Term ends 14 February 2024.

  • Will Throssel
    Co Vice Chair/Co-opted Governor

    Will Throssel

    I am a parent of two girls at Burbage Primary School. As the COO of a company in Bakewell, I have a wide-ranging portfolio of areas that I need to cover from health, safety and wellbeing through to financial management and strategic direction. I became a governor to support the school in helping our children to be the best they can be; both academically, but more importantly as caring and enthusiastic members of our community.

    Commenced 10 September 2018 (Elected by parents); co-opted 16 February 2022 (appointed by governing body). Term ends 15 February 2026.

  • John Akrigg
    Co-opted Governor

    John Akrigg

    I have worked as an actuary in the insurance and pensions sectors gaining varied experience in areas including financial reporting and data analysis, which I hope will be useful in serving the school. My wife and I moved to Buxton in 2020. We have three adult sons and our family have always enjoyed the outdoors, particularly camping, hillwalking, cycling, sailing and skiing. Being a governor allows me to give something back to the community. Education is so important for all our children and hope I can help the school in doing the best it can for each child.

    Commenced 25 May 2021 (Appointed by governing body). Term ends 20 May 2025.

  • Alice Martin
    Staff Governor

    Alice Martin

    Commenced 09 May 2023 (appointed by school staff). Term ends 09 May 2027.

  • Janet Mc Murdo
    Local Authority Governor

    Janet Mc Murdo

    I moved to Buxton with my husband in 2021.

    As a recently retired headteacher I found I was missing the hustle and bustle of schools and was delighted to be able to join the Governing Body of such a great school. Through my involvement I hope to support aspects of well-being and learning and be used as deemed appropriate. I've always believed that we need to be happy to learn most effectively and have seen this in many aspects of my varied professional career. It is also evident in my visits to this school.

    As a grandparent of 4 beautiful children based nearby, I am kept busy, enjoying and being involved in their lives. We enjoy travel and exploring the beautiful area we now call home.

    Commenced 14 June 2023 (Appointed by Local Authority). Term ends 13 June 2027.

  • Catherine Oliver
    Co-opted Governor

    Catherine Oliver

    I have been a teacher at Burbage Primary School since 2006. I am the Deputy Headteacher, Safeguarding lead, Head of Year 5 & 6, English lead and have been a school governor since 2019.

    Commenced 13 March 2019 (Appointed by governing body). Term ends 01 September 2023.

  • John Rothery
    Co-opted Governor

    John Rothery

    I became a parent governor to help to make the school as good as it possibly can be for the benefit of all the children at Burbage. Originally from Newcastle we chose Buxton as our home as it such a great place to live and bring up children. I qualified as a physicist and have worked in most EU countries, the U.S. and China in the Lighting and Electronics industries most recently working as a project manager for large UK infrastructure projects. I have served on UK government and EU advisory panels and in EU directorates and been responsible for agreeing numerous standards, legislation and codes of practise.
    As a parent, I am passionate in my desire to help achieve for all our children the best possible start and foundation for a happy and healthy life.

    Commenced 16 February 2018 (Parent appointed by governing body due to no election candidates); co-opted in 17 November 2021 (appointed by governing body). Term ends 17 November 2025.

  • Anthony Tierney
    Headteacher Governor

    Anthony Tierney

    I am very proud to be the Headteacher of our wonderful school. I have been the headteacher of Burbage since September 2015 and I sit on the governing board in my role as headteacher.

    Commenced 1 September 2015 (appointed by governing body).

  • Emma Moore
    Clerk to Governors

    Emma Moore

    Emma is clerk to governors; her role includes general administration, taking minutes and advising governors on process and statutory rules, deadlines and submissions.

    Joined: September 2022

    ,

  • Sarah Melchionno
    Parent Governor

    Sarah Melchionno

 

Governor Newsletter

 

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What the governing board does, and how we work

Schools governors work to plan the strategic direction of the school, oversee budgets, and support and challenge the headteacher. As part of the governing board, governors play a vital role in helping schools run efficiently and effectively to give children the best education possible.

What do school governors do? 

School governors have three core functions:

1. Planning the strategic direction of the school
2. Overseeing financial performance of the school and ensuring money is well spent
3. Holding the headteacher or school leadership to account
The governor role is strategic rather than operational. Governors don’t get involved with the day to day running of a school, instead supporting and challenging the leadership team to drive school improvement.

How do we work? 

School governors are volunteers. Being a school governor is a responsibility, but offers people a chance to see first-hand the impact you can make in improving education for children in your community. Each governor takes on a 'link role' which involves them coming onto site for school visits to then reporting back into the wider board.

Our board follows a circle model, which means that all governors attend full board meetings every month to hear updates from the headteacher and discuss strategic priorities. The governing body must appoint a chair and vice-chair. Other specific appointments can be made for individual governors to lead on in certain aspects of the school (eg Health & Safety, Safeguarding, Inclusion). There is a Sub-committee at Burbage Primary school for Pay and Performance chaired by Lizzie Crisp and Helen Goodman.

Types of Governors 

Burbage has five types of governors on our board:

1. Parent governors: selected by election (or appointment if insufficient people stand for election) and drawn from parents and carers of children at the school
2. Staff governors: selected by election from teaching and support staff paid to work at the school
3. Local Authority governors: appointed by the Local authority
4. Co-opted governors: appointed by the governing body to represent community interests
5. Other categories of governors including foundation governors, partnership governors, sponsor governors and associated members
The Instrument of Government is the document that records the name of the school and the constitution of its governing body. It must be approved by the Local Authority and comply with statutory requirements and principles.

The Instrument of Government at Burbage Primary School consists of 1 Local Authority governor (current vacancy); 6 Co-opted governors; 1 Headteacher; 1 Staff governor; 2 Parent governors.

Link Roles 

Governors taken on 'link roles' which means they have an area of strategic importance they are responsible for. Governors fulfil their link roles by making visits to school, ensuring they are up to date with legislation and national trends, monitoring compliance and reporting back to the wider board through Visit Reports and at meetings. 

Anti-bullying and Previously/Currently Looked After Children Lizzie Crisp
Curriculum Helen Goodman
Data Protection Officer/GDPR Current Vacancy
English John Akrigg
EYFS John Rothery
Finance John Akrigg
Health & Safety and Grounds/Buildings  Will Throssell
Inclusion Katherine Kilbane
IT Current Vacancy
Maths Will Throssell
Pupil Premium Lizzie Crisp
Safeguarding  Lizzie Crisp
Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural Janet Mc Murdo
Sports Provision 
 Current Vacancy
Website Helen Goodman
Wellbeing Janet Mc Murdo

Governing Body Constitution

Constitution of Governing Bodies of Maintained Schools

Details of any relevant business and pecuniary interests held by Governors can be found here in the Register of Interests: There are currently no declared interests.

No governors currently have additional governing roles in other educational institutions.

Attendance Figures & Board Meeting Minutes

Attendance Figures & Minutes 2022- 2023

Meeting Attended Absent
14.09.22 LA, JA, TB, HG, CC, CO, SM, EM, EC, JR, WT, AT JF, KK, GW
12.10.22 LA, TB, EC, JF, HG, KK, CO, AT, WT, EM JR ,CC, JA, GW
30.11.22  JA, LA, TB, EC, JF, HG, KK, CO, JR, AT, WT, EM CC GW
18.01.23 JA, LA, EC, HG, KK, CO, JR, AT, WT, EM TB, JF, GW
15.02.23 JA, LA, TB, EC, JF, HG, KK, CO, JR, AT, WT EM
15.03.23 EC, HG, AT, CO, WT, JA, JR KK, LA, TB, LA
10.05.23 EC, AT, CO, WT, JA, JR, KK, AM, JM, AM HG, TB

14.06.23 

 EC, HG, AT, WT, JA, JR, AM, JM, CO KK
12.07.23  EC, AT, CO, WT, JA, AM, JM HG, JR, KK

 Read Governing Board Meeting Minutes

September 2022 Full Governing Board Minutes

October 2022 Full Governing Board Minutes

November 2022 Full Governing Board Minutes

January 2022 Full Governing Board Minutes

How to contact governors

Many of our governors are around school at the start and end of the school day. If you wish to speak to governors, please contact the school office and we will be happy to put you in touch.

Telephone: 01298 22278

Email: enquiries@burbage.derbyshire.sch.uk

Alternatively, Emma Moore, our clerk to governors may be contacted via: emoore@burbage.derbyshire.sch.uk 

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