Governing Board Information

Middleton St Mary's Governing Board are committed to working closely with parent/carers, all children and staff to ensure that your child has the opportunity to succeed. As a school we strive to offer a secure and stimulating environment that meets the needs of all our pupils. We acknowledge the importance of strong parent/carer and community links and recognise parent/carers as vital partners in their child’s education.

As governors we visit the school on a regular basis, attend meetings and take part in school events throughout the school year. Part of our task is to ensure that the school achieves the highest standards in all aspects of school life, academic, non-academic, extra curricular and pastoral.

The school has worked hard over the last six years to ensure that Middleton St Mary's becomes a good school. A School Improvement Group (SIG) with the Local Authority was put in place to support this journey.. Middleton St Mary's is now Good in all areas! (May 2022). The school no longer has a SIG but still works closely with the Senior School Improvement Advisor, Sam Golia. 

What do Governors do?

School governors provide strategic leadership and accountability in schools. Governors appoint the head teacher and deputy head teacher. In some schools the site is owned by the governing body. It is governors who hold the main responsibility for finance in schools, and it is governors who work with the headteacher to make the tough decisions about balancing resources.

Each individual governor is a member of a governing body, which is established in law as a corporate body. Individual governors may not act independently of the rest of the governing board. Decisions are the joint responsibility of the governing board.

The role of the governing board is a strategic one, its key functions are to:

• set the aims and objectives for the school
• set the policies for achieving those aims and objectives
• set the targets for achieving those aims and objectives
• monitor and evaluate the progress the school is making towards achievement of its aims and objectives
• be a source of challenge and support to the head teacher (a critical friend)

The Headteacher is responsible for the internal organisation, management and control of the school and the implementation of the strategic framework established by the governing board.

The Full Governing Board (FGB) currently meet 8 times per year. A Joint Review Group (JRG) including members of the Governing Board, the Local Authority and Diocese meet 6 times per year to provide further support and challenge school leaders with a particular focus on attainment and progress data. 

 National Governance Association

The Full Governing Board Members

 Pen Portraits

Liz Singleton - Chair of the Governing Board and the Teaching & Learning Committee. Local Authority Governor

Liz joins us, as a co-opted governor and Chair of the Governing Board, with significant experience in education over the last 38 years. Having been a teacher, school improvement professional, OFSTED inspector and governor at several schools she is well placed to support our school as we journey to becoming a great school within our local community.

Recently retired, Liz volunteers as a Leeds Local Leader of Governance to support and develop the skills of school governors.

Naomi Wood - Headteacher

Billy Waters - Co-opted Member, Vice Chair and Chair of the Teaching & Learning Committee  

Billy  joined the governing board as a co-opted member in 2020. He currently works as an Assistant Headteacher at St Bartholomew's C of E Primary School in Armley. He has 12 years experience working within education, and leads on: Phase leadership and development, Curriculum, Child Protection and is the designated teacher for looked after children in his current role. As a part of the school's senior leadership team, he is responsible for a lot of the shared decision making and daily running of a large inner city primary school. 

Suzanne Aston - Associate Governor 

Suzanne has been the Assistant Head for Inclusion  at Middleton St Mary’s since September 2016 and is one of the school's Deputy Headteachers. She has previously taught across the primary age range and in specialist provision. Suzanne is a mum and grandma and feels that this gives a different insight into school life as we all want the very best for our children. "Middleton St Mary’s school community has a great big heart and I absolutely adore being part of it. I am passionate about the inclusion and well being of all our families and it is a huge privilege to be part of a governing board and staff team who share this commitment."

Tracy Clephan - Co-opted Governor

Tracy joined the governing board in summer 2021. She has retired after 40 years of working as a Dietitian in the NHS and Head of Dietetics for Leeds Teaching Hospitals where she had responsibility for budgetary management, service delivery, quality assurance and professional standards. For 10 years, she also worked part time for Open University as an Associate Lecturer, providing management courses up to Masters degree level. Tracy is a Lead Assessor for Health and Care Professions Council and is a volunteer patient transport driver for Yorkshire Ambulance Service.

Tracy was the first in her family to attend university and one of the first NHS workers to gain a Masters Degree in Business Administration. She is committed to public service and personally understands the impact that a good start in education can make to individuals. She says, “I am really looking forward to using my experience and skills to support everyone in Middleton St Mary’s to be the best that they can be”.

Neethu Jacob- Staff Governor

Miss Jacob joined Middleton St Mary’s Primary School last year and has enjoyed a successful first year within the school community. Eager to give back, she took on the role of staff governor in September 2024, aiming to further contribute to the school’s progress and support its vibrant community.

Originally from Kerala, India, Miss Jacob moved to Leeds at the age of five, where she lived until she was eighteen. She pursued her higher education at the University of Nottingham, earning a BA in Education, and continued her studies at the University of Birmingham for her teacher training. After two years of teaching in Solihull, she returned to Leeds, bringing with her a wealth of experience and enthusiasm. Miss Jacob has travelled to over 32 countries, embracing diverse cultures and experiences. 

Lizzie Leather - Co-opted Governor

Lizzie became a governor in December 2023, and is highly motivated to support Middleton St Mary’s in its aim to create a safe place where children and staff are Believed in, Belong, and Achieve well. Lizzie is a musician, specialising in music education, and works as a Choral Director for one of the largest choral programmes in the country.

As a governor, Lizzie is interested in a wide range of educational areas, with particular interests in learning, the arts, and equality of opportunity.

Amandeep Gill- Parent Governor

Amandeep was born in Derby and moved to Leeds in 2016 after getting married. She and her husband have two boys, Maan, 7, and Shera, 5, who both attend Middleton St Mary's. Amandeep currently works as a Business Development Manager for Golden Crown Management in Hunslet, and although returning to full-time work after a six-year break was challenging, she is thoroughly enjoying her professional life. 

As a family, they enjoy the outdoors and traveling, making the most of their time together. With her children still young, Amandeep places great importance on education and schooling, actively engaging in their development and supporting the school in its role. Having lived in Middleton for the past five years, she is deeply invested in the local community and the children attending the school. Amandeep is a social and approachable parent, eager to support other parents and serve as a voice for them within the community.

Annual Statement

Governor Interests and Attendance