Community Governor Vacancies

Under the Marches Academy Trust’s Constitution of the school’s Local Governing Body (LGB) we currently have vacancies for three governors from the local community.

No specialist qualifications are needed, and people from many different backgrounds volunteer for the role. Enthusiasm, commitment, and an interest in education are the most important qualities.  

The role of the Local Governing Body is to:

• seek to understand and question how the school is led and managed, acting as a critical friend: the Headteacher will report on how the school is fulfilling the Trust’s ethos, vision and strategy;
• act as the panel, as required, when reviewing the Headteacher’s decisions on exclusions, and other committees, as required;
• be the consultative body for the school’s stakeholders;
• represent the school’s stakeholders;
• forge links with the community;
• act as an ambassador for the school.
•  

As a member of the Local Governing Body (LGB) you will attend regular LGB meetings (normally 6 per year) and play an active role in committees and decision making. (Meetings are pre-scheduled annually and currently held on a Tuesday 4pm - 6pm). Governors with additional responsibilities will be asked to take responsibility on behalf of the LGB for the oversight of key aspects of the life of the school and make visits into school.

The Marches Academy Trust Governance Handbook and the Trustee and Governor Code of Conduct are found below, and we would encourage you to read both of these documents before applying.

If you would like further information on the role of Governor you can also read the Governor’s Handbook published on line:-(https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/governors-handbook--2)

Training and support is available.

If you are interested in contributing to the future success of Criftins Primary School and Nursery, please email

Amber Harrison, Clerk to LGB: cftlgbclerk@cft.mmat.co.uk to request a registration form.

LGB Terms of Reference

A summary of the role of the Local Governing Body is outlined below; however, full Terms of Reference can be found in the Trust’s Scheme of Delegation.

• Seek to understand and question how the school is led and managed, acting as a critical friend.
• Monitor and challenge how the school is fulfilling the Trust’s ethos, vision, and strategy.
• Determine and review of the educational targets of the schools, including the School’s Development Plan.
• Monitor and challenge educational standards and report on concerns.
• Assist in overseeing the Health and Safety of all students, staff and visitors; and ensure safeguarding for all students.
• Act as the panel when reviewing the school Headteacher/Head of School’s decisions on exclusions, and other committees as required e.g. salaries, complaints and pupil and staff disciplinary/dismissal committees.
• To ensure the school is complying with Trust policies in respect of safeguarding, health and safety and GDPR risk management.
• Represent the school’s stakeholders and be their consultative body.
• Forge links with the community and provide a vehicle for Trust board engagement with the school, its parents and local community, to help ensure that the Academy Trustees stay connected.
• Act as an ambassador for the school.
• Ensure value for money is being achieved from school budgets.
• For church schools, to monitor and support the Christian distinctiveness and church ethos of the school.
• Assist in the effective and efficient performance management of teaching staff, making recommendations to the Trust board on pay progression.
• Monitor and evaluate the quality and impact of governance.

Every school within the Marches Academy Trust has a Local Governing Body.

All current and prospective Governors should have read the Marches Academy Trust Governor’s Handbook, the Governor Code of Conduct and Scheme of Delegation* (*these documents contain further information on the duties and responsibilities of our Governors).

The Local Governing Body is composed of the following Governors:

Parent Governors – two per Local Governing Body 

Parent Governor elections are carried out when the term for the current Parent Governor(s) expires / if a Parent Governor resigns / when a school joins the Marches Academy Trust.

More information on the role of Parent Governor can be found in the Governance Handbook.

When the number of nominations for Parent Governors exceeds the number of vacancies, a ballot will take place.

Parent Governor Ballot Process

Staff Governors – one per Local Governing Body

Staff Governor elections are carried out when the term for the current Staff Governor expires / if a Staff Governor resigns / when a school joins the Marches Academy Trust.

Staff Governors are just the same as any other Governor, although it is important to note that they are representative of staff, not staff representatives.

If you would be interested in joining the Local Governing Body, or have any questions regarding any of the above, please contact Bee Lopez Bloor, Clerk to the Trust’s Boards, in the first instance – belen.lopezbloor@mmat.co.uk

Criftins C of E Primary School Conflict of Interests for Governors 

Conflict of Interests and Pecuniary Interest for Governors 2025-2026 (document to be uploaded shortly)

Criftins CE Primary School | Chair of Local Governing Board

Please mark correspondence:

Chair of Governors: Janet Gargiulo

Criftins Primary School and Nursery, Criftins, Near Ellesmere, Shropshire SY12 9LT

Email: admin@cft.mmat.co.uk

If you would like to read the Local Governing Body’s meeting minutes, please contact Bee Lopez Bloor, Clerk to the Trust’s Boards in the first instance: Belen.LopezBloor@mmat.co.uk

Hebrews 10: Verse 24: Let us consider how we spur one another on toward love and good deeds

At each of our meetings we pause for a moment to pray our Governor prayer: 
 

Our Heavenly Father,
Be with us as we meet
Guide us as we talk
Stay with us as we plan
Open our ears as we listen
Open our eyes to your vision
In Jesus' name 
Amen 

This helps us to focus as we lead our Church School forward.