Dagnall VA Church of England School
Our Governing Board
Our Governing Board is made up of:
- 6 Foundation Governors, some appointed by the Parochial Church Council and some appointed by St Albans Diocesan Board of Education
- 2 Parent Governors, elected by other parents
- 1 staff governor, elected by the staff
- 1 Local Authority Governor, appointed by Buckinghamshire Council
- The vicar and headteacher are ex officio members
What is the Governing Board responsible for?
The Governing Board has responsibility for raising school standards and concerns itself with three strategic functions:
a. Ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction;
b. Holding the Headteacher to account for the educational performance of the school and its pupils; and
c. Overseeing the financial performance of the school and making sure its money is well spent.
What is the Headteacher responsible for?
The Headteacher has day-to-day management of the school. The role of the Governing Board is to provide strategic management, and to act as a "critical friend", supporting the work of the Headteacher and other staff.
How does the Governing Body work?
We have three meetings per term. We consider all strategic aspects of teaching and learning as well as finance, resources, premises and health and safety. In particular, we review progress in those areas which we have highlighted in our School Improvement Plan.
Our professional clerk keeps us up to date on changes in legislation and government advice to schools, to make sure the school fulfils its statutory duties and provides the best possible education for our pupils.
What is expected of an individual governor?
People can be reticent to apply to be a school governor, being unsure of the commitment.
These are the most important things a governor will be asked to do:
- To attend an induction training session when first appointed
- To attend relevant training sessions and development events (many of these are conducted online)
- To attend meetings and to read all the papers before the meeting; governors are usually a member of only one sub-committee
- To participate in meetings by asking questions, especially those that challenge the impact on standards of the Headteacher’s and staff’s actions
- To behave in a professional manner, as set down in the governing body’s Code of Conduct, including maintaining strict confidentiality
- To take on an interest in one or more areas of the curriculum and to get to know how that subject or subjects are taught by visiting from time to time during school hours
Chair of Governors: Mrs Catherine Hayden chayden@dagnall.bucks.sch.uk
Finance Governor: Mr Frank Monnington
Learn more about the Governors at Dagnall CE School Catherine Hayden Chair of Governors 
| I retired from teaching in 2010 having worked at Edlesborough School where I taught many pupils from Dagnall School on their transition to KS2. Previously I had taught at Gaddesden Row, another very small school. I joined the governing body in 2015 when Dagnall became a Church of England school as I am Churchwarden of the parish of Eaton Bray with Edlesborough. I became chair of governors in 2021. Foundation Governor Parochial Church Council Appointed Term of office from 5 Nov 2023 to 4 Nov 2027
First appointed on 5 Nov 2015 | | | Joy Cousans, Vicar 
| I have been vicar of the parish of Eaton Bray with Edlesborough, since April 2017. This includes Dagnall so I am also vicar of All Saints Church. I was ordained Deacon in 1992 and priested in 1994 after which I served in both Sheffield and Leeds Dioceses. I have had experience as a school governor in my previous parishes. I am delighted to have the opportunity to support Dagnall CE school , promote our Christian Vision and help lead Collective Worship. Foundation Governor Ex-Officio Term of office from 1 Sep 2017 to present
First appointed on 1 Sep 2017 | | | | Kathryn Hunt 
| I have been in education for 14 years in a range of teaching and senior leadership roles and am privileged to now be the KS1 teacher and staff governor at Dagnall School. I am passionate about igniting the love of learning in children and helping children to develop as happy, engaged and ambitious learners. When I'm not in the classroom I'm enjoying being Mummy to my two young boys and can often be found splashing in muddy puddles or climbing trees in the forest! Staff Governor First appointed 1 September 2024 Term of office from 1 September 2024 to 1 September 2028 | Frank Monnigton 
| I have been a Governor since 2019 and as I am a retired Chartered Accountant, I help with finance and budgeting matters. I live in Hemel Hempstead but I have strong connections with Dagnall as my son owns the Red Lion Pub and my grandson now goes to the school; I also work on allotments next door to the school and help with Forest School. I volunteer with the Scouting Association in Hemel Hempstead and I am also Treasurer for Hertfordshire County Scouts. I am looking forward to being part of the Service Team supporting the International Scout Jamboree in South Korea in 2023. Foundation Governor Parochial Church Council Appointed Term of office from 11 Apr 2019 to 10 Apr 2023
First appointed on 11 Apr 2019 | Chris Paul 
| I'm a qualified teacher who has been teaching for over 20 years. I was a staff Governor at my previous school for nine years. I'm currently the Headteacher of a private tutoring company and I'm passionate about making learning fun and exciting for children so that they not only achieve their best academically but also build their self-confidence to really believe in themselves. Foundation Diocesan Board Of Education Appointed Term of office from 1 Sep 2023 to 31 Aug 2027
31.3.2022 - 31.12.2022 foundation governor, resigned after becoming a member of staff and appointed by GB as associate member1.9.2023 re-appointment | Emma Fleet | This year sees me celebrate my 30th anniversary as a primary school teacher. Originally based in South London, for the last fourteen years I have worked at a school in Hertfordshire where I became the Head Teacher. Whilst I have taught across all primary years, a large part of my teaching has been within the Early Years and I am passionate believer that getting it right for the youngest children benefits them throughout their time at school and beyond. I am excited for this new challenge working at Dagnall School and look forward to helping the children in their learning journey. Head teacher, ex officio member First appointed 1st September 2023 | Andy Copeland 
| I am an Organisation Development facilitator and Accredited Leadership Coach who specialises in helping leaders to grow and develop their leadership capability through a greater understanding of their own patterns of behaviour. Much of his work is focused on helping leaders to improve their performance in their current role by truly understanding the assumptions and behaviours they bring to their leadership and working with these to develop a style that is both authentic and has impact. I am pleased to have recently joined the board of Governors in September 2022. My two children both attend Dagnall School. Parent Governor Term of office from 1 Sep 2022 to 31 Aug 2026
First appointed on 1 Sep 2022 | | | Chris Lane 
| After an early start in business, I went into Pastoral Ministry. First as an Anglican Priest and then as the Founding Pastor of St Albans Vineyard Church, a post I remained in until I retired after 30 years ministry in 2018.
I have sat on the board of a number of charities. It’s an area of service I still continue, but I have never had the privilege of serving on a school board of governors until now. So it’s a new challenge and one I am looking forward to.
Foundation Governor Parochial Church Council Appointed Term of office from 12 January 2023 to 11 January 2027
First appointed on 12 January 2023 | | | Janet Rhodes 
| I am delighted to be a governor at Dagnall CE School. I was inspired by my volunteering work at the school which I started in September 2022. My background is in school librarianship and teaching. I was Divisional Schools Librarian in both Herts and Beds where I promoted reading and helped schools to establish and maintain their school libraries. After starting a family, I taught for 21 years in 3 local primary schools at a senior level, mainly in Early Years and Key Stage 1. Since retirement I enjoy hiking, having challenged myself to walk the Thames Path over the next few years. I also volunteer with Brownies, the Trefoil Guild and the Eaton Bray Book Swap. Local Authority Governor Term of office from 23 Mar 2023 to 22 Mar 2027
First appointed on 23 Mar 2023 | Alexandra Violette 
| Hi, my name is Alexandra. I am a mum of four, of whom two presently attend Dagnall school. I attended St Martha’s senior school in Hertfordshire and went on to attain a Diploma, Foundation in Art & Design Technology and a Bachelor of Arts in Interior Architecture at Middlesex University. When my eldest child started school I was keen to volunteer and be part of the educational process, at the same time completing a course in Education and Training. I am delighted to be a governor at the school and look forward to supporting the pupils, parents and staff. Parent Governor Term of office from 1 Sep 2023 to 31 Aug 2027
First appointed on 1 Sep 2023 Declarations No Governor holds a governance role in another educational institution or has any interests arising from a relationship with another governor or school staff. Mr. Paul has declared a potential business interest in relation to his private tuition company Wise Owl Education. | | |
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