Governors
Governance Statement
Scott Harding - Chair of Governors
“My name is Scott Harding and I am a Local Authority appointed Governor. I have been a Governor at the School for 6 years in total, 5 of which I have worked as the Chair of Governors. Prior to joining the Governing Body I worked as a Governor in a local Primary School for a number of years.
My relationship with the School started in 1990, when I attended in the Sixth Form and I have had great affection for Malbank ever since – a sentiment which, I think, is shared by many local people who have studied at the School. It has been an enormous privilege to work with the School as a Governor and I have found the work to be hugely rewarding with an opportunity to spend time with some really lovely and professional people. Our Governing Body is deeply committed to ensuring the best outcomes for our students and to generally make a positive impact in our local community.
In terms of my professional background, I have worked as a Solicitor for over twenty years, and I am actively involved in the management of a law firm.
I live locally and am married with two wonderful daughters.”
Suzanne Austin - Vice Chair of Governors and Parent Governor
Jodie Heath - Parent Governor
Sharon Yates - Parent Governor
My name is Sharon Yates and I have a daughter that attends Malbank School and Sixth Form College. I became a Parent Governor in March 2020, and I am a link governor for the Sixth Form. Previously I have been a co-opted Governor at a High School in Staffordshire, and Chair of Governors at another Staffordshire High School. I work full time at Reaseheath College, in Nantwich, as an Assistant Principal, having worked in the post 16 education sector for approximately 30 years. During this time, I have predominantly worked with colleges and independent training providers to manage Apprenticeship and Sixth Form College provision. My job has included the financial, quality and performance management of post 16 provision as well as responsibility for safeguarding students and apprentices. I have lived in the Nantwich area for 30 years, and have a good understanding of the community through links with local and regional businesses and community groups.
Lindsay Smith - Parent Governor
Matthew Theobald - Co-Opted Governor
Robert Edleston - Co-Opted Governor
I first became a Parent Governor over 10 years ago when I had 2 sons attending Malbank, and have subsequently been invited to continue as a Co Opted Governor.
I am Vice chair of The Resources Committee and Link Governor to the PE and RE Departments.
Margaret Smith - Co-Opted Governor
I am Margaret Smith and I have been a co-opted governor at Malbank School and Sixth Form College since 2019. In the past I have had plenty of experience of being a governor, having filled this role both as a parent and a teacher.
The wellbeing and the education of our young people are very important to me and I am really pleased to be able to continue having an input into them in this way. I spent all my working life as a teacher of Modern Languages and unsurprisingly my role on the governing body is as governor advocate for languages. I am also a member of the School Improvement sub-committee.
I love spending my spare time in the garden or walking the dogs but, above all, with my two very lively grandchildren.
With the support of my headteacher I was fortunate to be able to work as a magistrate for over 25 years which enabled me to promote guidance and care for the young people who appeared in court.
Peter Latronico - NAGS Governor
Joanna Wright - Co-Opted Governor
Mark Brisbourne - Staff Governor
I have held the above post for the last five years and have found it extremely rewarding. I joined Malbank on September 1st 2008 having previously worked as an Actor, a Regional Director for Tidy Britain Group and a member of the Walsall MBC environmental education team.
I started my time here as Community Arts Manager and ran successful community projects with Bentley Motors, Richmond Village, local Churches and also created a very popular Play in a Day programme for Primary Schools. I have also been heavily involved in our Year 5 and 6 transition workshops.
My role has changed over recent years and I now teach in the Performing Arts and Drama departments and work closely with students in Connect as well as maintaining my links with community contacts and events.
As staff Governor I am acutely aware of the issues and challenges that face us on a day to day basis and with my community hat on I am always keen to ensure that Malbank has a creative and positive effect on Nantwich.
Cheryl Jackson - Clerk to the Governors
Role and responsibilities of the Governing Body.
Statutory Position
- To manage the school budget, consider the annual budget plan, approve the budget, consider and approve any proposed revisions to the budget plan.
- To decide on how to spend the delegated budget depending on any conditions set out in the LEA scheme within the financial year.
- To decide whether to delegate their powers to spend the delegated budget to the head teacher if so, they should establish the financial limits of delegated authority.
- To be consulted by the LEA on significant changes to LEA's fair funding.
- To make sure accurate accounts are kept.
- To determine the staff complement and a pay policy for the school (in accordance with School Teachers pay and Conditions). To act as a ‘critical friend' to the head teacher by providing advice, challenge and support.
- To establish a written performance management policy to govern staff appraisal, after making sure that all staff have been consulted.
Financial Management Roles
- To set financial priorities through the School Development Plan, 3 year medium financial plan & The annual budget.
- To decide on how the school's delegated budget should be spent, in accordance with the SDP and the statutory curriculum requirements laid down by government.
- Approving and monitoring the annual budget.Ensure the budget is managed effectively.
- Ensure the school meets all its statutory obligations, and through the Head teacher complies with the LEA's financial regulations on standing orders.
- Determines virement and expenditure thresholds.
- Evaluates the effectiveness of spending decisions.
Governing Body delegated responsibility to Committees
The Governing Body can fulfil some of its responsibilities through a series of committees:
- Resources Committee
- School Improvement
- Impact Committee
- Student Discipline subcommittee
Where a committee has been set up the Governing Body will
- Define its terms of reference
- Define the extent of its delegated responsibility
- Ensure it receives minutes of the Committee's meetings