Governance

Meet the Governors 

The Governing Body of Grandpont Nursery and Childcare is made up of volunteers who come together to work in partnership with staff and parents in the best interests of the children.

The Governors, together with the Headteacher, are responsible for the strategic direction of the school.  The Headteacher is responsible for the day-to-day operational systems of the school and is accountable to the Governors.

Governors are committed to ensuring that Safeguarding is effective, and that all children feel safe at school. The Governing Body meets six times a year and has three core functions:

  • Ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction
  • Holding school leaders to account for the educational progression and development of the children, as well as the supervision and performance management of staff
  • Overseeing the financial performance of the organisation and making sure its money is well spent. 
Govorners can be contacted via the school office office@grandpontnurseryschool.co.uk
 
Chair - John Palmer - appointed 16 May 2023
 
Vice Chair - Taryn Grant (Parent Governor, Safeguarding) - appointed 25 January 2022
 
Carol Lister (Co-opted Governor) - appointed 20 March 2023
 
Natalie Wilson (Governor) - appointed 18 March 2024
 
Louise Russell (Staff Governor) - appointed 23 November 2023
Katryna Pastacaldi (Parent Governor) - appointed 29 April 2025
Jo Elliott (Parent Governor) - appointed 24 June 2025
 

Governors

School Governors act as a 'critical friend' to the Head teacher.  They work in partnership with the school leadership team at Grandpont Nursery School and Childcare, making sure they are run effectively and efficiently.  

A governing body has 3 main functions:

  • Overseeing the financial performance of the school and making sure its money is well spent
  • Holding the Executive Head teacher to account for the educational performance of the school and its pupils
  • Ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction

Anyone over 18 can apply to be a school governor.  If you would like to join the governing board full training is given; it can be a great way to get involved in your child’s education. Most employers recognise the importance of being a school governor and they are legally obliged to permit you reasonable time off to attend meetings. You should check with them because it is a significant commitment.

https://governorsforschools.org.uk/become-a-school-governor/the-role-of-a-school-governor/


Governor vacancies

We welcome the involvement of members of our local community in the running and governance of our Nursery School and Childcare. 

We currently have vacancies for governors to join our governing board.   Application forms are available from the office or email office@granpontnurseryschool.co.uk 

Please get in touch with our Clerk to Governors, Lucy Dickinson at lucy.dickinson@oxfordshire.gov.uk  to express your interest and for further information.


Categories of governor

Co-opted Governors

Appointed by the governing board to represent community interests/who have the skills required to contribute to the effective governance of the nursery schools.

Parent Governors

Parents, including carers, of pupils at our nursery school and childcare are eligible to stand for election as parent governors and are appointed by election.  If their child moves onto primary school before the end of their term of office they do not have to stand down as Governor, but they may choose to do so.

Local Authority Governors

Nominated by the local authority and confirmed by the governing board.

Staff Governors

Both teachers and support staff paid to work at our nursery school and childcare are eligible to stand for election as a staff governor.  The Head teacher is a staff governor by virtue of their office (referred to as Ex-officio); they may choose not to be a governor but will retain the right to attend all governor meetings.

Associate Members

Associate members, with a particular area of experience or expertise, can be appointed by the governing board to attend committee meetings and are entitled to attend full governing body meetings.

Finances

 Our financial benchmarking webpage on the government financial benchmarking service is here.  Please note that this is no longer updated.  For more information about our financial position, please contact our finance team; office@grandpontnurseryschool.co.uk