Governor Welcome

The role of the Local Governing Body is to work in partnership with the Headteacher and senior staff at Christ Church School and with the Chess Valley Primary Learning Trust of which we are part. Our overall aim is to promote the best interests of all pupils at Christ Church. In particular, the governors have responsibility for overseeing the vision, ethos and strategic direction of the school, as well as its financial performance. A large part of our job is to support and challenge school leaders to deliver the best possible educational experience.

The Local Governing Board meets as a whole at least once a term and there are a number of Working Groups that convene more regularly to focus on particular issues. The Governance Structure at Christ Church, and the relationship between the Local Governing Body and the Chess Valley Primary Learning Trust, is set out below.

Composition

Chair of Governors

The Chair of Governors is elected by the governors and is responsible for chairing meetings of the Local Governing Body, setting the agenda for meetings (together with the Headteacher) and reporting to the Trust Board on relevant matters.

The Chair of Governors at Christ Church is Stephen Jarmain. Stephen lives locally in Chorleywood and is an elected parent governor, with two children at Christ Church. Stephen is a barrister practising in family law and has an academic background in child psychology.

Stephen’s particular roles within governance are on the Governance, Leadership and Development, Finance and Resources and People working groups.

 

 

Vice Chair of Governors

The Vice Chair is elected by the governors and is responsible for deputising for the Chair and assisting in the leadership responsibilities of the Local Governing Body.

Zainab joined the Local Board of Governors in 2019. She is a Chartered Secretary specialising in Corporate Governance. Zainab lives in Rickmansworth with her husband and 2 children and attends Christ Church Chorleywood. Zainab is also vice chair, member of the Governance, Leadership and Development working group and the safeguarding governor.

Foundation, Community and Church Governors

Foundation Governors are appointed by the Trust on the recommendation of the local governing board, based on their specific knowledge, experience and skills and following an interview and referencing process. One of our governors is nominated by the clergy at Christ Church and provides an important link between the Church and the school.

Our Foundation, Community and Church Governors are:

Coralie Naalchigar has been a governor since 2018.Coralie has lived in Rickmansworth for many years and is a Foundation Governor. Coralie has a background in teaching, specialising in SEND. Coralie's particular role within governance is SEND and Inclusion. 

Rachael Speirs has been on the Local Board of Governors since 2019. Rachael lives locally in Chorleywood and is a Foundation Governor, and had one child who previously attended Christ Church. Rachael is a practising solicitor with an expertise in banking regulation and governance. 

Rachael is currently serving as Chair on the People Working Group and has also chaired the Admissions Committee. 

Deborah Roberts lives in Rickmansworth and joined the Local Governing Body at Christ Church in May 2023. Currently, she is a visiting tutor for The University of Buckingham, mentoring students who are training to become teachers. With twenty years working in education in the Primary sector together with four children of her own, she is equipped with the experience and knowledge to oversee Education and Standards at Christ Church School. She also supports the Admissions and Attendance Working Group as necessary. 

Staff Governors

The two Staff Governors are the Headteacher Mrs Selleck (ex officio) and Assistant Headteacher Mrs Allaway (elected).

Local Governing Body Constitution

• Christ Church Chorleywood C of E School Local Governing Board Membership
• Christ Church Chorleywood C of E School Declarations of Interest

Copies of Local Governing Body minutes are available on request. Minutes are redacted to remove any matter which, by reason of its nature, the governors or trustees are satisfied should remain confidential.All our governors are DBS checked. Any enquiries of the governors should be directed in the first instance to the school office. 

• Chess Valley Primary Learning Trust
  Trust website

Trust Governance Levels of Delegation

• CVPLT General Scheme of Delegation (current)
• CVPLT Financial Scheme of Delegation (current)

Governance Structures

• CVPLT LGB Terms of Reference (current)
• CVPLT Governance Portfolios (current)