Our Governers
Welcome from the Chair of Governors
As the Chair of Governors I would like to welcome you to King Edward Primary School.
Our children are kind and caring individuals and their achievements are valued and encouraged and we take great pride in our pupils and the education we provide.
Our school is a hive of activity and the diversity in teaching style and opportunities will ensure that your child is motivated to learn and have fun whilst doing so. The amazing staff go above and beyond to ensure that the children have experiences both inside and outside of the classroom. This enables them to challenge themselves and develop a wide range of skills and knowledge that they can be proud of.
As a school we communicate with our parents and carers in a wide range of ways; using social media, our school website and different messaging platforms, so you will always be kept up to date with school life and events and the staff in our school office are highly experienced and available to help with any queries that you may have.
There are many opportunities and events where you will be able to join in and build a relationship with the school, other parents and the children at school and we actively seek to engage with our families on a regular basis.
The school is supported in its goals by a strong and experienced Governing Body and we continue to strive to make the school the best it can be. We make sure that the school’s strategic direction is supported, and that policies and procedures are robust and fit for purpose. We ensure that the school budget and resources are being used in the best way possible for our children. In addition to this we make sure that we have a wide-ranging set of skills and training so that we add value in everything we do.
Our children are our best advert and I would encourage you to visit the school if you can. You will be greeted by hardworking and enthusiastic learners, friendly staff, and a positive and bright teaching environment and will leave feeling the same way about the school as we do. I hope that you will feel that your child would like to join us and we look forward to your family choosing our school.
Chair of Governors
Contact our Governors
Jonathan Heath
Mhairi McGowan
Governing Body’s Annual Statement 2025-26
This academic year, membership of the governing body has been fairly stable with minimal movement. Following the resignation of a Parent Governor in August 2025, an election was held resulting in the appointment of Ruth Boston. Staff member, Claire Baldwin also joined the governing body as a Co-Opted Governor following the end of term of office for the previous post holder.
Attendance at Full Governing Body (FGB) meetings continued to be excellent throughout the year. Governors and Leaders recognise the benefits of virtual meetings in relation to travel and workload. Therefore every other meeting takes place virtually. Committee meetings have also been well attended on the whole.
Governors ensure ongoing school improvement by being directly linked to an Implementation Plan (previous School improvement Plan priority). Regular visits to school take place by Governors in relation to their linked area. While in school, governors talk to children, staff and leaders. In addition Governors access relevant documentation, evidence and see evidence of learning. The Full Governing Body is kept up to date via updates on individual visits.
Governors have fulfilled statutory duties including:
- Policy review
- Meeting Health and Safety requirements including receiving accident reports
- Agreeing staff salary scales and terms and conditional in line with North Tyneside recommendations
- Reviewing website compliance
- Setting and monitoring the school budget
- Receiving reports on safeguarding, attendance and SEND
- Receiving reports on attendance including comparison with similar schools
- Reviewed and set fees for chargeable services including uniform, OOSC and lettings
- Approved plans for funding premiums including Pupil Premium and Sports Premium
- Reviewed pupil performance data
This year the Governing Body have also:
- Reviewed the school’s final Ofsted report following inspection in the Summer term
- Reviewed uniform affordability in line with government legislation
- Reviewed procedures for ‘lockdown’ and ‘invacuation’
- Set up a task group to discuss the Smartphone Free Childhood Movement and the implication for children at KEPS
- Reviewed adaptations to the Year 1 curriculum
- Considered local and national changes and challenges relating to the education sector
- Received confirmation of the school’s success in receiving Primary Careers Gold Award
- Considered changes to the Ofsted Inspection framework, newly released in November 2025
- Implemented a new Governor Visit timetable
In all areas Governors offer both challenge and support to school leaders in constructive dialogue that is evidence based and reflective.
Jonathan Heath
Chair of Governors
| Committee | Abrv. | Name of Chair |
|---|---|---|
| Staffing and Finance | S&F | Adele Tong |
| Curriculum and Pupil Outcomes | C&O | Mhairi McGowan |
| GOVERNOR / ASSOCIATE MEMBER | CATEGORY | APPOINTED BY OR ELECTED | START DATE | EXPIRY DATE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Claire Baldwin | Co-opted | Appointed | September 1, 2025 | August 32, 2029 |
| Ruth Boston | Parent | Elected | November 24, 2025 | November 23, 2029 |
| Kate Byrne | Head teacher | Appointed | September 1, 2010 | - |
| Alison Cairns | Co-opted | Appointed | March 17, 2025 | March 16, 2029 |
| Stephanie Collins | Parent | Elected | November 14, 2022 | November 13, 2026 |
| Jonathan Heath | Co-opted | Appointed | January 21, 2019 | January 20, 2027 |
| Sophie Dunn | Staff | Elected | September 1, 2024 | August 31, 2028 |
| Mhairi McGowan | Foundation | Appointed | September 16, 2025 | September 15, 2029 |
| Hannah Gilroy | Co-opted | Appointed | February 20, 2025 | February 19, 2029 |
| Debra Nichol | Foundation | Appointed | December 5, 2019 | December 4, 2027 |
| Adele Tong | Co-opted | Appointed | September 30, 2024 | September 29, 2028 |
| Vacancy | Local Authority | Appointed | ||
| Sarah Hunter | Clerk | |||
| Berni Miller | Co-opted | Appointed | September 1, 2021 | August 31, 2025 |
| Jeannette Hefford | Parent | Elected | November 1, 2021 | May 19, 2025 |
| Caroline Afolabi-Deleu | Foundation | Appointed | September 1, 2019 | March 31, 2025 |
Strategic Governance
The purpose of a Governing Body is to support leaders in school by providing confident, strategic leadership and upholding robust systems of accountability for educational and financial performance. Governors are not involved in decisions around the day-to-day operational running of the school.
In order to perform this role well, a governor is expected to:
- Get to know the school, including by visiting the school occasionally during school hours, and gain a good understanding of the school’s strengths and weaknesses
- Work in partnership with the Headteacher, Senior Leadership Team and other governors to raise standards and improve outcomes for all children
- Attend induction training and regular relevant training and development events
- Attend meetings (full governing body meetings and committee meetings) and read all the papers before the meeting
- Act in the best interest of all the pupils of the school
- Behave in a professional manner, as set down in the governing body’s code of conduct, including acting in strict confidence.
Governors now play an even more vital role in the leadership of the school in relation to the new Ofsted inspection framework. It is important that a Governor understands their role within this and that they have a good level of understanding of the inspection framework and where the school currently sits within this and its plans for the future.
They must be comfortable to question and challenge within meetings and also be aware that their name may be reflected in the minutes when doing so.
