Welcome to our Governors' section
Welcome to our page. Here you will find out a little bit about each of us and what we do.
You can make contact with any of our school governors through the school office, leaving your contact details, and we will respond as soon as possible.
About us...
Dovedale Primary School Local Governing body (LGB) is a committee of the ONE Academy Trust Board of Trustees (formerly Willows Academy Trust). The board of trustees has delegated responsibility to the LGB to fulfil governance functions related to Dovedale Primary School. These are set out in the ONE Academy Trust Scheme of Delegation and our Terms of Reference (copies available to view on the WAT website).
Please note: Willows Academy Trust has recently welcomed four additional primary schools and renamed as ONE Academy Trust (effective 1 Sept 2023). We are currently re-branding all our policies and documents etc. so please bear with us as we make the necessary changes and launch our new ONE Academy Trust website.
This diagram illustrates our organisational structure and where the Local Governing Body fits in.
Dovedale Local Governing Body (LGB) consists of up to 9 members and a clerk to governors. Our staff, parent, and community (co-opted) governors work together with a common goal; to provide the best possible school environment and education for our children.
All governing bodies have 3 main roles:
to provide strategic direction for the school;
to act as a critical friend to the headteacher; and
to ensure accountability.
Our governing body has an active role as part of the school community. We scrutinise all aspects of school life including teaching and learning, safeguarding and wellbeing, equality & diversity, inclusion and accessibility and behaviour. We challenge and support the headteacher in her day-to-day running of the school to ensure best practice, value for money and strategic planning. We take pride in working to support the staff and children so that our school can provide a safe, caring and stimulating learning environment where every child can realise his or her potential. We take an active part in school life and engage with staff and pupils as part of our role and responsibilities.
We hold full governing body meetings at least three times during the school year. We also meet as and when required to address specific areas. We do not have any regular committees but set these up if needed. If you wish to see a copy of the agendas and minutes of our meetings, then please contact the school office. These are available on request. Please note that confidential information cannot be released and will be redacted from the information provided.
Details of our attendance at meetings can be found below.
Attendance Register (& appointment dates)
We also keep a record of our business and pecuniary interests to ensure that potential conflicts of interest are clearly identified and managed appropriately. Details of these can be found below.
Register of Pecuniary & Personal Interests
All governors are volunteers and at our school we currently have 3 types of governor:
Parent governors - parent governors are elected by the parents of children at the school
Staff governors - staff governors are elected by the staff at the school.
Community governors - representatives from the community. Community governors are appointed to the board by the governors because they offer particular experience, skills and knowledge to support the board in its functions. They may also be parents.
The headteacher attends all governing body meetings and is a governor by virtue of their role.
All our governors undertake induction training and safeguarding training. They also attend training to improve their knowledge in different areas including data analysis.
Becoming a school governor
Being a school governor is a challenging and rewarding role and we work hard together to make our school special.
Parent governors are appointed by an election process in which all parents/carers of children at school are eligible to stand for election and vote. When a vacancy becomes available we advertise through Parentmail, on the website and via letter. Community governors are appointed by the board (co-opted) to support the board with specific skills and expertise.
Perhaps you feel you could not commit to being a full governor but have skills that you could share with us? We are always interested in welcoming associate governors who can offer their expertise to support particular aspects of school life.
If you interested in becoming a school governor you are welcome to come and have a chat with us at any time to find out more about the role and what it entails. Please make contact via the school office and make an appointment with the chair of governors (Ellie Williscroft) - no commitment required! We offer full induction and training to support you in your role.
Key governance documents & policies
Chair of Governors
Governors
Staff Governors
Ellie Williscroft - Chair of Governors
I first took the role of Parent Governor in 2015 when my eldest son came to Dovedale Primary school.
I now have two children in school, my youngest son starting in 2016. I wanted the opportunity to contribute to the decisions that shape the school and impact positively on parents, pupils and staff. I was interested in how the school worked and how they dealt with issues strategically.
I thought my background working in the Supply Chain at Walgreens Boots Alliance (where I am continually problem solving and exerting pressure on various levels within the business to resolve supply chain issues) would stand me in good stead to both hold the school to account for the decisions that are made, and offer my experiences and support to the school.
I also really enjoy helping within school. I often listen to children reading or complete various tasks with groups of children from sewing, treasure hunts, Art, Maths, English and many more. I try to be involved in school life as much as possible.
I am now Chair of Governors and consider my role to be a great privilege. I am proud to work with Mrs Houseman, all the staff at Dovedale, parents, children and the wider community including the chairs from our sister academy schools, to ensure that all the Dovedale pupils have everything they need to achieve their REACH values and full academic potential.
Community governor (previously parent governor)
Roles this year: Chair of Governing Board , Link governor for: Safeguarding, PE & Sports Premium, Year 1, PE & Computing
Appointed: Elected 2015. Re-appointed 2018 & 2022
Michelle Stevenson
I am very passionate about Dovedale having grown up locally and attended the school myself in the 80s/90s. I have a son who started Dovedale in 2015.
I have worked in adult education for over 18 years specialising in quality assurance and compliance. I hope my experience in this field will enable me to support the school in its desire to continuously improve.
In my free time I love doing yoga, baking, watching movies, eating cake, country walks and meals out.
Community governor (previously parent governor)
Roles this year: Vice-chair. Link governor for: Pupil Premium, SEND, Looked After Children, Anti-bullying, Behaviour, Reception (EYFS), History & Geography
Appointed: 22 March 18 Reappointed October 21
Jo Martin
I am very much a local person, having lived in Wollaton all my life. I began my career as a teaching assistant, while working full time in a primary school I did a degree in Childhood Studies part time at Derby University. I then went on to do a PGCE, also at Derby University. I have now been teaching at Dovedale for 10 years, every year has been different but equally as enjoyable, I feel privileged to be part of the Dovedale Team.
My main hobbies are music, I love to sing and play the flute and am an active member of Music for Everyone where I help to lead youth choirs and sing in the festival chorus. I also have a rather 'lively' border terrier dog, Basil, who I enjoy walking on Wollaton Park or if time allows in the country!
Staff governor
Appointed: 01 Nov 18. Re-appointed 01 Nov 2022
Louise Tomlinson
I have been a teacher at Dovedale for many years and have never felt the urge to teach elsewhere when it is such a friendly, happy school allowing me to enjoy my job as much as I do.
When I’m not at work I am busy at home being a mum to my two children Jacob and Chloe. As a family we enjoy caravan holidays as often as we can. We have our own touring caravan which goes everywhere from Wales, Lake District, Devon to Scarborough and even Holland! I enjoy coastal walks and exploring new places.
Any other spare time I get means I can visit family and meet up with my friends for coffee and cake!
Staff governor
Appointed: 25 Nov 20
Steve Lyon
Community governor (co-opted)
Roles this year: Link governor for: Health & Safety, Year 2, Science, Art & Design Technology
Appointed: 05 Jan 21
Rev. Mike Arnold
Community governor (co-opted)
Roles this year: Link governor for: Equality & Diversity, Year 5, PSHE (including RE)
Appointed: Nov 22
We are currently recruiting to fill vacancies