Governance
Jolly Pett, Chair of Governors
Sally Simpson, Headteacher
We have a team of very dedicated and skilled volunteers who serve as school governors and focus their efforts on what really matters - improving education and pupil outcomes for every child at The Parkland Federation.
The Governors at The Parkland Federation challenge and support the Headteacher and other senior leaders as key strategic decision-makers and vision setters for the school. All the day-to-day operational matters are the responsibility of the Headteacher and staff.
Governors play a vital role in:
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driving up the school’s and pupils’ performance;
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ensuring resources are used well to give every child the best possible education;
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ensuring statutory duties are met;
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holding school leaders to account for improving school performance.
STRUCTURE OF GOVERNANCE
The Parkland Federation has a Local Governing Body (LGB).
Governor roles and responsibilities are agreed at the start of the academic year. All governors monitor the following areas:
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Safeguarding
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Leadership Impact
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Special Educational Needs Provision
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Progress of disadvantaged learners
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Health and Safety
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Curriculum
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Attendance
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Pastoral support for pupils
STRATEGIC INTENT
All governors work strategically with senior leaders in order to:
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ensure clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction;
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support and strengthen school leadership;
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contribute to the school’s self-evaluation and understand its strengths and weaknesses;
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monitor progress against the school development plan;
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ensure statutory duties are met and priorities are approved;
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carry out regular audits of governors’ skills in the light of the skills and competences they need and actively seek to address identified gaps;
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evaluate the impact of the work being undertaken by panels and individual governors.
FINANCIAL FOCUS
The Local Governing Body meet in order for all governors to:
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ensure financial resources made available to the school are managed effectively;
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monitor the use of pupil premium and other resources to overcome barriers to learning including reading, writing and mathematics;
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monitor the use and impact of Sport Premium funding.
For more information please visit the Swale Academies Trust website.
Academy Governance and Scheme of Delegation
STAFF GOVERNOR
Alison Das
PARENT GOVERNOR
Jolly Pett
CO-OPTED GOVERNORS
Marion Ponting
Kathy Ballard
Jane Castle-Mercer
Margaret Coleman
CLERK TO GOVERNOR
Dawn Berhane
TRUST GOVERNOR
Louise Hopkins
Meet our Governors
Alison Das
Name: Alison Das
Role: Assistant Headteacher
What's your favourite way to spend a free day?
My favourite way to spend a free day would be relaxing with my family.
What do you bring to Parkland?
After completing my teacher training in London many years ago, I brought my young family down to Eastbourne. I secured a job as a teacher at Parkland Junior school. Seventeen years later I am still here! As the Assistant Headteacher, I aim to bring a love of learning for every child, in beautiful and safe surroundings, where every child is valued.. Furthermore, I aim to share my experiences as a class teacher to support and develop a new generation of teachers.
Why did you become a governor?
To provide an important link between the teachers, school leadership and the governing body.
What are your hopes for Parkland?
To continue to teach and nurture kind, thoughtful and successful children who have strong self belief, resilience and aspiration to be the best that they can be.
Jane Castle Mercer
Name:
Jane Castle Mercer
Role:
I am a new governor at Parkland and keen to learn the role.
What's your favourite way to spend a free day?
A trip to the gym, coffee with friends and watching Dr Who.
What do you bring to Parkland?
I bring a passion for education, especially reading and equality and diversity. I offer an understanding, both from a parent and teacher perspective, of some challenges that can occur within the school environment. I understand the importance of teamwork, co-operation and listening. I am keen to be hands-on and am proud to be part of the team who look after the lovely chickens, ducks and llamas. Above all, I bring a life-long commitment to the belief that children’s learning should be full of fun and laughter.
Why did you become a governor?
I taught at Parkland for many years and was really proud to be part of such a wonderful learning community. I very much want to support the children, parents, and staff of Parkland by helping the school run efficiently and effectively so that all children are given the best education possible.
What are your hopes for Parkland?
That every member of the school community – child, parent, staff member and volunteer, achieves their excellent potential, and feels valued, safe, and happy.
Jolly Pett
Name:
Jolly Pett
Role:
Parent Governor/Chair
What's your favourite way to spend a free day?
My ideal day would be going on a trip with my children, being outdoors (as long as it's not too wet) or seeing something new.
What do you bring to Parkland?
I have worked on a lot of community projects over the years within some very different contexts. I bring experience from the youth work and children's care sector which struggle with a lot of the same issues that our schools struggle with.
Why did you become a governor?
I became a Governor to ensure that my kids got the best quality of education and so that I could make an impact upon this small close knit community. I want to ensure the best outcomes for all the young people at Parkland.
What are your hopes for Parkland?
Our school is a very diverse place with people who have very different life experiences. My hope is that Parkland gives them all the opportunity to be successful and happy human beings as well as giving them skills and strategies that will serve them into adulthood.
Cllr Dr Kathy
Ballard
Name:
Cllr Dr Kathy Ballard
Role:
Safeguarding Governor
What's your favourite way to spend a free day?
I love to walk along the seafront, have coffee with my friends and watch films.
What do you bring to Parkland?
I bring a plethora of skills that I have acquired by working as a local councillor. I love working with the community and getting things done.
Why did you become a governor?
I had been a school Governor for 6 years at Parkland previously and this was a good opportunity to see how the school has progressed over the past few years.
What are your hopes for Parkland?
For the children to be the best they can be as individuals and thrive. I hope that the school continues to go from strength to strength
Margaret Coleman
Name:
Margaret Coleman
Role:
Co-opted Governor
What is your favourite way to spend a free day?
My favourite way to spend the day is enjoying time with my grandchildren. We love cooking together and our speciality
is making chocolate brownies.
What do you bring to Parkland?
I have worked in East Sussex as a Primary Headteacher for the last 22 years. I have now retired but I continue to work part time as an Educational Consultant. I have experience of teaching in a small village school to leading in a large urban primary school. I have a special interest in Special Needs and Early Years Education.
Why did you become a governor?
Having worked as a headteacher, I am very aware of the role governors can have in supporting a school. I really enjoyed working with children and I wanted to continue to be involved with a school and use some of my experience to help. I had visited Parkland and it felt like the right place and the right time to volunteer as a governor.
What are your hopes for Parkland?
My hope for Parkland is that the school continues to be aspirational for all children and that it builds on the values of positivity, resilience, honesty, and co-operation. I hope that every child will have opportunities to thrive and develop their knowledge and skills so that they become lifelong learners.
Marion Ponting
Name:
Marion Ponting
Role:
Health and Safety Governor
What is your favourite way to spend a free day?
A day spent in the garden (in the sun!) is my favourite way to spend a free day. There is nothing nicer than pottering,
listening to the birds and feeling the sun on one's back.
What do you bring to Parkland?
I have been in education for many years and I have a large amount of experience and understanding of primary aged children, which I hope allows me to be a useful critical friend of the school.
Why did you become a governor?
Following retirement I felt that I still had a lot to offer a school and wished to continue to help enable children to achieve the best that they can.
What are your hopes for Parkland?
Having been at the school for a number of years now, I have seen the schools grow and flourish into inspiring and highly motivating environments. I have seen outstanding pastoral care for pupils and families and know that the wrap-around provision that continues to evolve in the schools will continue to grow. I hope that all children will realise the best outcomes that they can.