As a Hard Federation, both Oakham C of E Primary School and The Parks School share a Governing Body which meets each term.
My name is Stewart Needham, I am the Chair of Governors and my role is to assist the Governing Body in carrying out its duties. I have served on the governing body since 29th January 2018. I feel very passionate about our school and primary education in general as I believe it represents the most influential years of our children’s lives. I want to ensure that everything we do as the governing board is focused on providing the best possible start in education for all of our children.
The Governors are similar to directors in a business, and act as ‘critical friends’ to the Executive Headteacher and Senior Leadership Team. Governors work with the Executive Headteacher on strategic and developmental issues, and on target setting, performance management and appraisal. They visit the schools to meet members of the Senior Leadership Team and to carry out their responsibilities in terms of monitoring and providing oversight. However, the Executive Headteacher alone is responsible for the day to day management of the schools.
Minutes of Full Governing Body meetings and committee meetings are available, on request, from the school office.
If you have any comment for, or need to contact, the Governing Body please email Stewart Needham: chair@oakham-primary.rutland.sch.uk or leave a message at the school office.
An Instrument of Government is the legal document for Local Authority schools that records the constitution of the governing body and the term of office for each category of governor as well as the name of the schools.
Governors of Oakham Church of England Primary School and The Parks School
All governors are required annually to declare any interests they may have in relevant businesses or other educational establishments. All information relating to this as well as details of all current governors can be found below.
Declaration of interests and further relevant information.
- Mary Darlington is the manager of The Ark Nursery.
- There are no other relevant business interests for our governors to declare.
- None of our governors have declared that they have any extra governing roles in other schools.
| Name | Position | Appointing Body | Date of Appointment | Date of Term End |
| Mr Nick Cooper | Co-opted | Governing Board | 12/06/2021 | 11/06/2025 |
| Mrs Alison Swinscoe | Co-opted | Governing Board | 23/09/2021 | 22/09/2025 |
| Mrs Victoria Maxwell | Co-opted | Governing Board | 24/09/2020 | 23/09/2024 |
| Mr Ben Searle | Co-opted | Governing Board | 24/09/2020 | 23/09/2024 |
| Mrs Diane Wensley | Co-opted | Governing Board | 12/06/2021 | 11/06/2025 |
| VACANCY | Co-opted | Governing Board | ||
| Mrs Karen Kibblewhite | LA | LA | 07/03/2019 | 06/03/2023 |
| Mrs Liz Needham | Foundation | Diocese | 07/07/2019 | 07/07/2023 |
| Rev Stephen Griffiths | Foundation | Diocese | 07/11/2018 | Ex-officio |
| VACANCY | Foundation | Diocese | ||
| Mr Steve Cox | Staff (Head) | Governing Board | 24/08/2015 | Ex-officio |
| Mrs Caroline Abdul-Raham | Parent (The Parks) | Parent Election | 15/06/2021 | 14/06/2025 |
| Mrs Alex Gregory | Parent (OCOEP) | Parent Election | 15/06/2021 | 14/06/2025 |
| Mrs Caroline Vandoros | Associate | Governing Board | 12/06/2021 | 11/06/2022 |
| Mrs Mary Darlington | Associate | Governing Board | 12/06/2021 | 11/06/2022 |
| Mr Stewart Needham (Chair) | Parent (OCOEP) | Parent Election | 29/01/2018 | 28/01/2022 |
| VACANCY | Parent (OCOEP) | Parent Election | ||
| VACANCY | Parent (OCOEP) | Parent Election | ||
| Mrs Jane Evans | Staff (OCOEP) | Staff Election | 12/06/2021 | 11/06/2025 |
| VACANCY | Staff (The Parks) | Staff Election | ||
| Mrs Claire Wade | Staff (OCOEP) | Staff Election | 24/09/2020 | 23/09/2024 |
| VACANCY | Staff (The Parks) | Staff Election |
Committee Structure
Our Governing Body uses a committee structure to undertake our monitoring and evaluation role. The membership and terms of reference of committees are reviewed annually. The committees are: Provisions, Resources and Pay Review.
Some of our committees are given delegated powers to make decisions that do not require approval from the full Governing Body. In addition, like many governing bodies, we sometimes form working groups to focus on specific problems or issues.
| Committee | Members |
| Resources (Finance, Personnel) | Jane Evans Nick Cooper Ben Searle Stewart Needham Alex Gregory Stephen Cox |
| Provisions (Pupil Outcomes, Health & Safety, Safeguarding) | Diane Wensley Liz Needham Karen Kibblewhite Claire Wade Victoria Maxwell Stewart Needham Stephen Cox Caroline Adbul-Raham Nick Cooper |
| Head-Teachers Performance Management | Caroline Abdul-Rahim Stewart Needham |
| Pay Review Committee | Nick Cooper Diane Wensley Ben Searle |
Committee Terms of Reference
The Governing Body is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. We expect all staff, volunteers and visitors to share that commitment.
If you are interested in becoming a school governor and would like to know more about the role please contact any of the Governors or the school office.
