The Governing Body
The school Governors are a group of volunteers who are parents, members of staff or members of the local community.
The role of the Governor has evolved over the recent years and they continue to support the Co-Headteachers, Senior Leadership Team and staff in their respective roles to offer the best quality of education to our young learners.
The enthusiasm for the schools core purpose of improving teaching and learning is matched by the ambitions that the school and the Governing Board share. Throughout the academic year Governors visit for subject link Governance work, sit on interview panels and provide support via the work within school committees.
Governors speak to pupils when they visit school and make themselves available to hear the views of parents. We have 2 committees – Standards and Learning and Managing and Organising.
The role of governors
To ensure clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction.
To hold the Co-Headteachers to account for the educational performance of the school and its pupils, and the performance management of staff.
To oversee the financial performance of the school and make sure its money is well spent.
They also carry out a number of other important duties, which include:
Determining how the school's budget is spent
The appointing and dismissing of staff
Hearing appeals and grievances
Setting the principles to be used by school leaders to set other school policies.
Setting standards for pupils' behaviour and discipline
Making sure school buildings are welcoming and safe
Asking challenging questions of school leaders
Acting as a link governor on a specific issue or for a specific subject area
Governors 2023-24
Katie Manning: Chair of Governors
“It is an honour to be voted as the Chair of Governors for Thomas Russell Infants’ School in 2023.
I have 3 children and when my eldest child started reception at Thomas Russell Infants’ School I took an active role for a number of years as one of the chairs and then treasurer within the PTA.
I joined the governing board in 2021 as a parent governor and I am now responsible for the Head Teachers Performance Management and Link Governor for Teaching & Learning.
With a degree in Neuroscience and as a qualified Speech and Language Therapist I have an interest in Science, Maths and human development. I also have many years’ experience being a project manager and key account manager in a large corporate company and more recently a self-employed house renovator. This has given me insights and practical experience of budget setting, working to a strict timeline and often having to problem solve.
Thomas Russell is a nurturing, caring environment that also stretches and challenges the pupils and it is a privilege to be part of the team committed to help it continue to develop and grow stronger.’’
Mrs Burton: Co-Headteacher
Mrs Burton joined Thomas Russell Infants in January 2009 as Co-Headteacher. She sits on both Governing Board committees and alongside Mrs Moore leads on all areas of school improvement and safeguarding. Both Headteachers are passionate about the children in their care and providing an enjoyable and exciting start to their education.
Mrs Moore: Co-Headteacher
Mrs Moore joined Thomas Russell Infants in 2005 as a teacher. She is now the part time Co-Headteacher alongside Mrs Burton and is also Deputy Headteacher for half of the week. She sits on both Governing Board committees and alongside Mrs Burton leads on all areas of school improvement and safeguarding. Both Headteachers are passionate about the children in their care and providing an enjoyable and exciting start to their education.
Nik Antona: Co-opted Governor and Vice Chair
“I am a parent of a former pupil at Thomas Russell Infants and I’ve served as a governor at TRIS since 2008. I am currently the Vice-Chairman of the governing board and I’m the Chairman of the Managing & Organising Committee and sit on the Co-Head Teachers performance management committee. I am a qualified Business Improvement Consultant with over 30 years’ experience in the Telecoms Industry. I’m also Chairman and the former Finance Director of a national Volunteering organisation. I believe passionately in providing a sound and stable education for the Thomas Russell children and using my professional skills I do everything I can to ensure the School budget supports the highest quality education we can provide”.
Jo Turrell : co-oPTED GOVERNOR
‘‘Over the last 25 years I have worked in a variety of roles across all educational settings; from independent specialist provision, Local authority alternative provision and mainstream primaries and secondary schools. This has been as a teaching assistant, classroom teacher, Teacher in Charge of a resource base, SEND advisor for the local authority, SENDCo, Governor and currently as the SEND Advisor and School Reviewer for the JTMAT. I am hoping that this experience will be useful to the Governing Board and will allow me to support the work of the headteachers and staff and to the strategic development of the school.
I am looking forward to meeting more of the children, staff and parents as in addition to this professional role, I am also a grandma to two pupils at TRIS
Tim Hopkins: Co-opted Governor
‘‘I am a passionate educator and believe in giving all children the very best education and opportunities. I was appointed in April 2012 and am currently the link governor for Early Years and Safeguarding. I also sit on the Co-Head Teachers performance management committee. I am a Qualified Teacher with over fifteen teaching and leadership experience, which I bring to my role as governor. I am the Strategic Development Manager for Humpty Dumpty Day Nurseries Ltd and also the current Vice-Chair of the John Taylor Multi Academy Trust Board. My daughter started in reception at Thomas Russell in September 2019 so I wear many hats which makes my role varied and enjoyable.’’
Mrs Marshall: STAFF GOVERNOR
Mrs Marshall has recently joined the governing board in September 2023 as staff governor. She is a teaching assistant and works in Year 1. Both of Mrs Marshall’s children attended Thomas Russell Infants’ School.
Mrs Sutton: Assistant headteacher and staff governor
‘‘I joined the governing board as a staff governor in the summer of 2022. After returning from maternity leave and securing my role as Assistant Headteacher, I saw this as an opportunity to be involved in the wider picture of school. I have been teaching at Thomas Russell Infants’ School for over 4 years now and during this time I have taught in both Year 1 and Year 2. Prior to this I have also taught in the Early Years. I have a passion for the Early learning and development of young children and my teaching degree was specialised in Early years (3-7).
Since beginning my role as staff governor I have been involved in the employment of new teaching staff and I have thoroughly enjoyed this process. My roles and responsibilities in school include leading Music, mentoring trainee teachers, monitoring assessment and some aspects of safeguarding across school.’’
Reverend Andy Simpson: community Governor
Revd Andy Simpson was licenced as the new Church of England Vicar of Barton and Dunstall with Tatenhill in December 2020. Prior to which he had resided in the East Riding of Yorkshire all of his life. Andy had a career in financial services before he was ordained in 2009. Andy also served with the Air Training Corps as an Officer with the Royal Air Force Volunteer reserve for over 20 years, rising to the rank of Squadron Leader, and subsequently serving as chaplain. Andy enjoys rugby union, having played regularly for his local club, and has a keen interest in classic Italian Lambretta and Vespa scooters. He has two grown up children and two grandchildren. Andy has served as trustee on numerous charities and in his previous post, as School governor for three Church of England schools, helping two convert to MAT status and serving as chair for the other.
Lilly nelson-Parent governor
Lilly joined the governing board in April 2024.
Hannah Wilcock - Parent governor
Hannah joined the governing board in April 2024.