Our Governing Body


Governors work closely with headteachers, school staff and representatives from the local authority (LA). For further information on who our governors are and what they do, please click on each name below:

Name Position Term of Office start Term
of
Office end
Designation Committee Responsibility
Alison Richardson Headteacher N/A N/A Headteacher Appeals
ECM
Finance & Premises
First/Pay Review
N/A
Jean Doloughan Chair 07/02/2021 06/02/2025 Foundation Appeals
ECM
Finance & Premises
HT Performance
Staffing
Numeracy
Mental Health & Wellbeing
Vacancy       Foundation    
Margaret Clough   15/01/24 15/01/28 Community ECM
First/Pay Review
Staffing
HT Performance
Literacy
Early Years
Outdoor Play
Doreen Booth   17/11/2020 16/11/2025 Community ECM
First/Pay Review
HT Performance
Child Protection/Safeguarding
Early Years
Online Safety
Mrs Linda Edwards   27/02/2023 26/02/2027 Staff - Teaching ECM N/A
Mrs Natalie Wile   05/06/2024 04/06/2028 Parent ECM  
Vacancy       LA Governor    
Mrs Sandra Williamson   17/05/2021 17/05/2025 Foundation Finance & Premises
ECM
Music
LAC
Mrs Dimitra Skoumpopoulou   25/11/2021 25/11/2025 Parent ECM
First/Pay Review
Training & Development
Vacancy x 2       Parent Governor    

Statutory Guidance for Governing Bodies

St Stephen’s CE Primary School adhere to the statutory guidance from the Department for Education. This means that governing bodies must have regard to it when carrying out duties relating to the constitution of governing bodies in maintained schools. For further information please view or download the full document below.

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How To Become A School Governor

Parent governors are a core part of a school’s Board of Governors. The role is voluntary and will appeal to parents who want to make a positive impact on their child’s education and school life. The outcome is indirect, since the governor role has little interaction with the pupils or with daily school life, but is much more “behind the scenes”. As well as parent governors, a school’s Board of Governors consists of:

  • Staff governors
  • Local authority governors
  • Foundation governors
  • Partnership governors
  • Co-opted governors
  • Associate members

Volunteers need to be dedicated people who care about improving education, but they do not need prior board experience. It makes the role perfect for professionals looking to improve their business and leadership skills, give back to society and enhance children’s futures.

If you require further information on the roles and responsibilities of School Governors or you are interested in becoming one, contact the school office or visit the Durham County Council website School Governor section.


Governors Register of Business Interests

Name Other Governor Roles Business Interests Employer
Mrs Alison Richardson None None Durham County Council
Mrs Margaret Clough None None Retired
Mrs Jean Doloughan None None Retired
Mrs Doreen Booth None None Retired
Mrs Linda Edwards None None Durham County Council
Mrs Natalie Wile None None self employed
Mrs Sandra Williamson None None Retired
Mrs Dimitra Skoumpoulou None None Northumbria University

Record of Governor’s Attendance

Schools are now required to display a record of Governor’s attendance at meetings for the last academic year. 

KEY
Y – Attended meeting
A – Apologies sent and accepted by meeting
N – Did not attend
X – Not a member of the committee
N/A – Not appointed or term of office has ended

 

Name Finance & Premises
24/10/24
Pay Review
24/10/24
Full Governing Body
19/11/24
ECM
05/12/24
Finance & Premises
30/01/25
Full Governing Body
04/02/25
ECM
20/02/25
Finance & Premises
30/01/25
Full Governing Body
24/06/05

ECM & Finance & Premises
22/05/25

POSTPONED

Mrs Alison Richardson Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y  
Mrs Margaret Clough X Y Y Y X Y A X Y  
Mrs Jean Doloughan Y X Y Y Y Y Y Y A  
Mrs Doreen Booth X Y Y Y X Y Y X Y  
Mrs Pamela Burnip X X Y Y X Y A X N/A  
Mrs Linda Edwards X X Y Y X Y Y X Y  
Mrs Rachel Musgrove X X Y Y N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Mrs Sandra Williamson Y X Y Y Y Y Y Y Y  
Mrs Dimitra Skoumpopoulu X A A A X A A X Y  
Mrs Joy Burrell Y X Y A Y A Y Y A  
Mrs Natalie Wile X X Y X X A A X Y  
Mrs Kirsty Coulthard X X Y Y X N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A