Local Governing Body

Welcome to the Local Governing Body section of our website.

What do the Local Governing Body do?

The governors have a strategic role supporting and challenging the Principal. Governors work as a team, in the best interests of the children and the school, to raise educational standards. More specifically, they:

Appoint the Principal, who has day to day responsibility for everything that happens in a school and is accountable to them
Agree how the school’s money is allocated
Agree policies about the way the governing body and the school work
Ensure new initiatives and guidelines from the Department for Education and the education authority are put in place

The full governing body usually meets once a half term, but more when there are pressing issues such as building works etc Most of the governors’ work is done in meetings when financial, staffing, curriculum and premises issues are discussed in detail. Governors also visit the school to analyse, manage and monitor pupil progress, attainment and school improvement.

Who are our governors on the Local Governing Body?

The local governing body of Yew Tree Primary Academy is composed in the following way:

Co-opted governors – appointed by the Trust Board
Parent governors – elected by Parents
Staff governor – elected by Staff
Principal – ex officio by virtue of their office

Meet our Governors

Mrs. P. A. Farrell – Chair of Governors - Leadership and Management -Safeguarding Quality Of Education - SEND and Pupil Premium

I was invited to join the Governing Body as a Co-Opted member in 2015 when the Governing Body was reconstituted. I had been a Community Governor since Yew Tree CP opened in 2011 and before that I was a Governor in Greengates and New Hutte Schools. I attend most, if not all, of the Governing Body meetings which allow me to have a well-rounded view of the schools progress and challenges. I am particularly interested in inclusion and special educational needs and disabilities. I am the designated governor for special educational needs and disabilities and safeguarding. I am local to the area and have been involved in voluntary work with a number of charities in the area for over 25 years.

I am dedicated to the progression of the school and all of its pupils regardless of their backgrounds. I aim to challenge the school’s leadership to always strive for improvement and to continually evolve to our children’s needs.

Mr G See – Vice Chair of Governors - Behaviour and Attitudes - Attendance and Behaviour

I was honoured to be asked to return to Yew Tree as a school governor in 2022. I have two children who attended Yew tree Primary Academy so I know first-hand what a happy and nurturing school Yew Tree was and still is. As a local community activist and Chief Operating Officer of a local Charity, I am keen to ensure that the school is seen as a real asset to and a vital part of our community.

I believe in supporting people, young or old, to reach their potential and the basis of Primary education is to lay the foundations for a well-rounded, kind and confident child; I believe Yew Tree is able to give our children the best start and I will do whatever I can do to help the staff, parents and children to continue to achieve this.

In my spare time, I love walking, cooking and spending time with my family and friends.

Mrs P Bergin – Parent Governor - Early Years Foundation Stage & Quality of Education (Early Reading and Phonics)

I have been a member of the Governing Body since July 2017. My reason for applying was twofold: firstly and selfishly, to ensure that my child attending was given the best chances, and secondly as a way of repaying the school for their support when I embarked on a career change. I moved from social research into Early Years Education and I needed a voluntary placement whilst studying, so I helped in Year 1. I was then fortunate to be offered a job as a lunchtime supervisor and also worked in the DSP. Consequently, I feel that I know the school extremely well and appreciate the high quality education and the positive contributions they make for our children. I am now working as a deputy manager of a local preschool and recently became a Level 3 SENCO. I hope to bring the enthusiasm and passion for education that I developed from Yew Tree to my new position so more children may fulfil their potential and lifelong aspirations.

Ms J Gallagher - Co-opted Governor - Quality of Education - Curriculum

I have been a co-opted governor at Yew Tree Primary school since 2020

I have been a teacher for 22 Years: working in both Further and Secondary Education. Currently, I work as a Vice Principal at Halewood Academy. I have had many different roles at the school with varying responsibilities such as Teaching and Learning, Curriculum, Behaviour and Safeguarding lead. In all of these roles, I thoroughly enjoy working with both pupils, their families and staff.

When I am not working, I am a keen runner, raising money for Charities and I love to read.

Mr A Wilson - Co-opted Governor - Personal Development

I became a member of the Local Governing Body, as a co-opted governor in September 2022.

I work as a School Network Manager and also have five years Secondary and seven years Primary teaching experience. I hold Musical Futures Primary Champion Teacher status. Having held positions in schools over the full age range in both teaching and non-teaching posts, I bring a breadth of varied and balanced perspectives with my governing role.

When I am not working, I enjoy singing and cycling

Mrs C Lynas - Staff Governor

I have been staff governor since January 2021.

I have been part of our school community for 4 years and have been teaching for almost 17 years.

Since joining Yew Tree, I have been working as a class teacher within in the DSP but prior to this, my teaching experience was within mainstream settings. I have worked across most of the primary phase and always loved being in the classroom. Over the course of my career, I have been responsible for leading PE, RE and developing Creative Curriculums. I love supporting my friends and colleagues and supporting those teachers just starting off on their journey into teaching.

When I am not teaching, I love to keep active and I am currently learning to play the clarinet.

Governor Update

The Local Governing Body have recently met for the first time this academic year and are attending Safeguarding and Child Protection training at school, including the changes this year to Keeping Children Safe in Education. Governors have also been allocated their link roles and are looking forward to meeting with school based leads within school discuss action plans, monitoring activities etc for the year ahead.

We currently have a vacancy for a Parent Governor and opportunities for co opted roles within school. If you would like any further information regarding what this involves, please contact Mrs O'Hanlon directly at school for further information.