Governance

What is a Local Governing Board?

A school’s Local Governing Board is a corporate body. This means it has a legal existence separate from that of its individual members. It comprises both appointed and elected members, known as governors, who serve for a term of four years.

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The Local Governing Board works with the leadership team, providing support and appropriate challenge, to ensure that the school operates as effectively as possible.

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Ofsted acknowledges that the most successful schools demonstrate high standards of leadership and management – including that of the governing board.

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The role of the Local Governing Board

The Local Governing Board focuses on school-specific needs and ensures community engagement and accountability.

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It has four key functions:

  • Direction: Ensure there is clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction.
  • Performance: Hold executive leaders to account for the school’s educational performance, pupil outcomes and staff performance management.
  • Expenditure: Have account of key variances to budget and responsibility for holding leaders accountable for pupil premium and sports premium spending.
  • Stakeholders: Ensure the voices of stakeholders are heard.

‍Who can become a governor?

For a school to operate successfully, it requires a governing board with a balance and diversity of knowledge, skills and experience.

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You must be aged 18 and over and do not need to be a parent. There is no requirement for you to have a formal understanding of the education system, just an enquiring mind, the ability to work as part of a team and the time to contribute and attend the half termly meetings.

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Above all else, we are looking for governors who share our values and have a passion for improving the lives of the children and young people we serve.

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As a governor, you will be able to:

  • Draw on your professional and life experiences to inform discussion and decision making.
  • Utilise and develop your skills in a board-level environment.
  • Support and challenge the school to drive improvement for its whole community.

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Interested in becoming a governor?

Click below for further information and to get in touch.

Find out more about the impact you could make by watching this short video from the charity, Governors for Schools.

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Who we are

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Connaire Magee (Chair) – Trust appointed governor

Term of office: 27 August 2025 - 26 August 2029
Responsibilities: Chair

Contact Address: Connaire Magee, Chair of Governors, C/O: Lightcliffe Academy, Stoney Lane, Lightcliffe, Halifax HX3 8TL

Email: contactus@lightcliffeacademy.co.uk

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Neil Badrock (Vice Chair) – Trust appointed governor

Term of office: 12  January 2022 - 11 January 2026

 

John Radcliffe – Co-opted governor

Term of office: 01 March 2023 - 28 February 2027

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Patricia Clarke - Co-opted governor

Term of Office: 22 May 2025 - 21 May 2029

Responsibilities: SEND and Safeguarding

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Karen O’Rourke – Staff governor

Term of office: 25 April  2022 - 24 April 2026

 

Jo Hackett – Associate (Head of School)

Term of office: 01 January 2023 - N/A

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Paul Cooper – Ex-officio governor (Executive Principal)

Term of office: 01 September 2020 -N/A 

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Stepped down in last 12 months:

Naomi King - Parent governor Term of Office: 05 February 2026 - 17 July 2026

Anthony Nicholl - Parent governor Term of Office: 21 May 2025 - 8 July 2026

Sarah Powell – Staff governor Term of office: 25 April  2022 - 24 April 2026

Peter Laurence (Chair) – Trust appointed governor Term of office: 18 October 2024 - 4 January 2026