Our Governing Body
The role of the governing body is a strategic one with three core functions:
- setting strategic direction
- creating robust accountability
- ensuring best use of financial resources
The work of the governing body is driven by the school improvement plan. Discussions, decisions and actions for governors focus on school finance, staffing matters, use and condition of premises, pupils' wellbeing, curriculum, data and assessment, working with stakeholders, admissions and organisational changes.
The full governing body must meet at least three times per academic year but most meet more frequently through committee meetings. There is an expectation that governors will also undertake monitoring visits into school to find out more about the school throughout the year. Governors work closely with the headteacher and make decisions collectively as a team.
How To Become A School Governor
If you require further information on the roles and responsibilities of School Governors or you are interested in becoming one, please contact NCDAT's Head of Governance, Steven Dawson - S.Dawson@ncdat.org.uk
Our Governors
| Name | Position | Term of Office |
Special responsibility role | Register of Interests |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| William Cowie | Governor (Chair) | 01/02/2024- 06/07/2027 |
Chair; Link Governor for Safeguarding, Maths & PE | Business interest - J Dinning (Investments) Ltd (from 07/07/2023 to current). |
| Karen Telfer | Executive Headteacher | 01/02/2024 - | Executive Headteacher, Pelton Community Primary (from 28/09/2021 to current). | |
| Judith Russell | Staff Governor | 18/05/2025 - 17/05/2029 |
Deputy Headteacher, Pelton Community Primary (from 18/05/2021 to current). | |
| Jean Carleton | Governor | 01/02/2024- 08/09/2027 |
Vice Chair; Link Governor for Art & Literacy | Retired None Declared |
| Wendy Guile | Governor | 18/03/2025- 17/03/2029 |
Link Governor for SEND, YFS (Yearly Foundation Stage) & Geography | None Declared |
| Rachel Henry | Staff Governor | 17/05/2025- 16/05/2029 |
None Declared | |
| Helen Faulds | Parent Governor | 01/02/2024- 25/11/2025 |
Link Governor for ICT and Music | None Declared |
| Reverend Simon Spencer | Governor | 01/02/2024- 21/03/2027 |
Link Governor for RE, PSHE and History | None Declared |
Leavers in the last 12 months:
|
Dr Damian Parry
|
Governor |
01/02/2024 - 11/11/2025 |
Trust Appointed | Link Governor for Science | None Declared | |
| Cllr Danny Wood | Local Authority | 27/11/2020- 26/11/2024 |
Governing Body Appointed | Appeals Pupils & Curriculum |
Durham County Councillor Pelton Parish Councillor Labour Party Member Governor at another Primary School in Durham |
None |
| David Ward | Parent Governor | 01/11/2020 - 31/10/2024 | Parent Appointed by Governing Body | None Declared |
Record of Attendance
2024-2025 & 2025/26
|
Name |
|
12 November 2024 |
18 March 2025 |
17 June 2025 |
11 November 2025 | 17 February 2026 | 16 June 2026 |
|
Mr William Cowie - Chair of Governors |
|
Apologies Accepted |
Attended |
Attended |
Apologies Accepted |
|
|
|
Mrs Karen Telfer - Head Teacher |
|
Attended |
Attended |
Attended |
Attended |
|
|
|
Mrs Judith Russell |
|
Apologies Accepted |
Attended |
Attended |
Attended |
|
|
|
Mrs Jean Carleton |
|
Attended |
Attended |
Apologies Accepted |
Attended |
|
|
|
Wendy Guile |
|
Attended |
Attended |
Attended |
Attended |
|
|
|
Dr Damian Parry |
|
Attended |
Attended |
Attended |
Attended |
|
|
|
Cllr Danny Wood |
|
Apologies Accepted |
N/A |
N/A |
Attended |
|
|
|
Mrs Rachel Henry |
|
Attended |
Attended |
Attended |
Attended |
|
|
|
Mrs Helen Faulds |
|
Attended |
Apologies Accepted |
Attended |
Attended |
|
|
|
Reverend Simon Spencer |
|
Attended |
Attended |
Attended |
No apologies received |
|
|