Our Governing Body
School governors come from all walks of life. Some are appointed by Gateshead Council, some have been asked to represent the local community. They are also elected Parent Governors, and some, including the Headteacher, are members of the school staff.
Our governors are committed to the school’s drive for excellence and for ensuring students have the opportunity to maximise their individual potential, whether they choose an academic or a vocational route.
- Planning to ensure the school has the right strategies and resources to get the best outcomes for the students. This includes overseeing the delivery of the curriculum.
- Monitoring and evaluating the school’s effectiveness.
- Overseeing the school’s budget, making sure that it is used in the best way. The governors are also responsible for the proper and efficient management of the school’s funds and cannot plan for a deficit.
- Ensuring that young people and adults are safe at school.
- Acting as a ‘critical friend’ to the Headteacher, and to hold him accountable for the management of the school. The Headteacher reports to the Governing Body on the school’s performance and plans.
The Governors work includes:
- The school’s strategic and improvement plans.
- School policies, for example for curriculum, behaviour, uniform, sport, homework.
- How the school budget will be spent.
- Teaching and learning and how the school will reach performance targets.
- Staff matters including pay and appointment and dismissal.
- Student behaviour.
- Complaints from pupils, staff and parents or carers.
- The school buildings, including health and safety, repairs and maintenance and the use of school premises outside school hours.
The Governing Body meets once each term and also have membership of the school’s committees.
If you would like to contact the Governing Body or the Parent Governors email enquiries@kingsmeadow.org.uk.
Headteacher responsibilities
The Headteacher is responsible for the day to day management of the school. Gateshead Council provides support and guidance to the school, and delivers the school’s budget.
Student Experience Committee (previously the Achievement and Environment Committee)
School improvement
Performance Data
Teaching and Learning
Attendance
Behaviour
SEND
Resources Committee
Finance
Staffing
Safeguarding
Health and Safety
GDPR
Admissions
Headteacher’s Appraisal Panel
The Chair, Vice-chair and one other governor meet each autumn term to assess the Headteacher’s performance and to set him new targets for the year.
Behaviour and Exclusion Panels
Governors sit on Behaviour Panels to help students adjust their attitude to learning so it benefits their academic progress. They also form panels to consider the exclusion of a student.
2025-26
2025-26 Governing Body membership and vacancies
2025-26 Governing Body committee membership
2024-25
2024-25 Governing Body membership and vacancies
2024-25 Governing Body meeting attendance
2024-25 Governing Body committee membership
2024-25 Governing Body committee meeting attendance
2024-25 Governing Body Terms of Reference
Download the Governing Body Terms of Reference 2024-25
2024-25 Governing Body Register of Interests
We were delighted that five local parents and carers nominated themselves to work with our governing board as a Parent Governor.
As part of the selection process we asked parents and carers to vote for their preferred candidate, and there was a huge voting response to the ballot that closed on the 14 February 2025. We are pleased to announce that three new roles have been recruited to the Governing Body:
- Miss Swan, the mother of one of our Year 7 students, joins us as a Parent Governor.
- Mr O’Hara, the father of two children in the school, also joins us as a Parent Governor.
- Mrs Mennim, the grandmother of one of our Year 10 students joins us as a co-opted member.
We are looking forward to working with our new governing body members where they will be contributing ideas that will help to continue to open future doors of opportunities for our Kingsmeadow students.