Table of Contents
Welcome from the Governing Body
The Governors at Stanah Primary are volunteers who want to make a positive contribution to the education of pupils at Stanah. Governors form one of the largest volunteer forces in the country and play a vital role in raising standards.
Ofsted highlights that the most effective schools have strong leadership and management – and this includes a governing body that works strategically with the Headteacher and senior leaders.
Our governors
Dan Molloy | Chair
Category: Co-opted
Appointed by: Governing Body
Appointed (current term): 13 Feb 2024
Term ends: 13 Feb 2028
First appointed: 14 Feb 2020
No relevant business or pecuniary interests declared.
Hannah Williams | Vice Chair
Category: Co-opted
Appointed by: Governing Body
Appointed (current term): 10 Nov 2025
Term ends: 9 Nov 2029
First appointed: 15 Nov 2021
No relevant business or pecuniary interests declared.
Rachel Legge | Headteacher
Category: Headteacher
Appointed by: ex officio
Appointed (current term): N/A
Term ends: N/A
First appointed: 2 Sep 2024
Ambassador for Tropic Skincare
Laura Bentley
Category: Parent (elected)
Appointed by: Parents
Appointed (current term): 4 Oct 2024
Term ends: 3 Oct 2028
First appointed: 4 Oct 2024
No relevant business or pecuniary interests declared.
John Byrne
Category: Co-opted
Appointed by: Governing Body
Appointed (current term): 11 Nov 2024
Term ends: 10 Nov 2028
First appointed: 11 Nov 2024
No relevant business or pecuniary interests declared.
Emma Ford
Category: Parent (elected)
Appointed by: Parents
Appointed (current term): 8 Dec 2025
Term ends: 7 Dec 2029
First appointed: 8 Dec 2025
No relevant business or pecuniary interests declared.
Daniel O'Neill
Category: Co-opted
Appointed by: Governing Body
Appointed (current term): 3 Mar 2025
Term ends: 2 Mar 2029
First appointed: 3 Mar 2025
No relevant business or pecuniary interests declared.
Spouse of a member of staff at the school.
Natasha Spencer
Category: Staff (elected)
Appointed by: Staff
Appointed (current term): 14 Jul 2026
Term ends: 13 Jul 2030
First appointed: 14 Jul 2026
No relevant business or pecuniary interests declared.
Rev. Kathryn Sperring
Category: Local Authority
Appointed by: Local Authority
Appointed (current term): 17 Jun 2024
Term ends: 16 Jun 2028
First appointed: 17 Jun 2024
No relevant business or pecuniary interests declared.
Linda Stafford
Category: Co-opted
Appointed by: Governing Body
Appointed (current term): 4 Mar 2026
Term ends: 4 Mar 2030
First appointed: 23 Nov 2003
No relevant business or pecuniary interests declared.
Spouse of Nick Stafford, co-opted governor at Stanah Primary School.
Nick Stafford
Category: Co-opted
Appointed by: Governing Body
Appointed (current term): 23 Nov 2023
Term ends: 22 Nov 2027
First appointed: 16 Nov 2015
No relevant business or pecuniary interests declared.
Spouse of Linda Stafford, co-opted governor at Stanah Primary School.
Stanah Governor Meeting Attendance Records
What do governors do?
The role of the governing body is a strategic one. We focus on setting the vision, ensuring accountability, and overseeing resources.
Our key functions are to:
Set the school’s aims, values, and policies.
Agree targets for improvement and monitor progress.
Hold leaders to account for the educational performance of pupils and the performance management of staff.
Oversee the financial performance of the school and ensure money is well spent.
Act as a “critical friend” – offering both challenge and support to the Headteacher.
The Headteacher is responsible for the day-to-day leadership and management of the school. Governors focus on the bigger picture: vision, strategy, and accountability.
How do governors carry out their role?
Governors fulfil their responsibilities in several ways:
Formal meetings – The Full Governing Body (FGB) meets once each term. We also have two main committees:
Resources Committee (chaired by Linda Stafford)
Curriculum, Pupils & Welfare Committee (chaired by Hannah Williams)
Each meets termly, and more often if required.
Panels and sub-committees – We also convene panels for specific purposes such as headteacher appraisal, staff pay and appeals, and pupil exclusions.
School visits – Governors visit the school regularly, talk with staff and pupils, and see policies in practice. The Chair meets the Headteacher frequently to discuss progress and priorities. Governors also attend school events to stay connected with the life of the school.
Link governor roles – Each governor takes on responsibility for a specific area, such as safeguarding, SEND, pupil premium, training, health & safety, or wellbeing. This allows us to monitor key priorities closely and provide informed challenge and support.
Training and development – Governors undertake regular training in areas such as safeguarding, Ofsted updates, health and safety, and financial oversight. We also complete a skills audit to ensure the board collectively has the expertise needed.
Who can become a governor?
Almost anyone over the age of 18 can become a school governor. No special qualifications are needed – just a commitment to supporting the school and a willingness to work as part of a team.
At Stanah, our governing body includes:
Parent governors (elected by parents/carers)
Staff governors (elected by staff)
A Local Authority governor
Co-opted governors from the local community
The Headteacher (ex officio)
Governors usually serve a four-year term of office, and many continue for longer if reappointed.
Stepped down within the last academic year
Karen Cumpsty
Category: Co-opted
Appointed by: Governing Body
Appointed (term): 16 Nov 2021
Term ended: 15 Nov 2025
First appointed: 16 Nov 2021
Stepped down: 5 Sep 2025
No relevant business or pecuniary interests declared.
Adele Pogson
Category: Co-opted
Appointed by: Governing Body
Appointed (term): 21 Jun 2021
Term ended: 20 Jun 2025
First appointed: 13 Dec 2011
No relevant business or pecuniary interests declared.
Angela Hill
Category: Co-opted
Appointed by: Governing Body
Appointed (term): 1 Mar 2021
Term ended: 28 Feb 2025
First appointed: 22 Feb 2017
No relevant business or pecuniary interests declared.
Colin Jackson
Category: Co-opted
Appointed by: Governing Body
Appointed (term): 18 Jun 2022
Term ends: 17 Jun 2026
First appointed: 7 Oct 2014
Stepped down: 2 Oct 2024
No relevant business or pecuniary interests declared.
Contact
If you would like more information about the governing body or are interested in becoming a governor, please contact the school office in the first instance.