Hello!

The Governing Body of Bluebell Meadow would like to introduce themselves to you and explain a bit about our role and responsibilities within the school.

The Governors main role is to raise standards of achievement for all pupils, providing a strategic view for the school, acting as a critical friend and ensuring accountability. Through the school development plan, Governors monitor the most crucial aspects of the schools development and do so on a continuous basis. 

The responsibilities of the Governing Body include:

• Developing the strategic plan for the school
• Determining the aims, policies and priorities of the school
• Setting statutory and non-statutory targets
• Monitoring and evaluating the work of the school
• The appointment of the Head Teacher, overseeing the appointment of staff and ensuring the implementation of a range of personnel procedures
• Oversight of the budget
• Securing high levels of attendance and good standards of pupil behaviour
• Ensuring that all children in the school have access to a broad and balanced curriculum which is suitable to age, aptitude and ability which prepares them for adult life
• Ensuring the health and safety of pupils and staff

The key point to note about this list is that the responsibilities have a strategic focus. In carrying them out, the Governors work with the Head Teacher and his team as professional leaders of the school. The day to day responsibility for running the school is of the Head Teacher and the senior leadership team.

We as a Governing Body undertake frequent training to update our skills and knowledge so that we can provide Bluebell Meadow with the most effective governance possible.

We hope in the coming school year that our visibility within the school will be more frequent and hope that you can approach us if you have any queries.

Please feel free to contact me at any time at sgranger@bluebellmeadowprimary.org.uk

Meet the Governing Body at Bluebell Meadow

Sarah Granger 

Sarah is the Chair of the Governing Body and a Parent Governor who works in administration for Durham County Council. Sarah enjoys hiking, outdoor activities and adventures with her family. She makes jewellery and other types of arts and crafts.  She volunteers with the Cub Scouts and loves running activities for the children and taking part in lots of different adventures with them.  Sarah has been a governor since the end of 2018 and has a son in Y3 at Bluebell Meadow – her eldest son all attended but left for secondary school a few years ago. Sarah became a Governor to gain experience and new skills working with children (something she wants to pursue) as well as supporting the school getting back on track from its many changes over the last few years, to provide a positive education and environment for the children.

  Donna Walton

Donna is a Staff Governor having held various Governor roles over the past 10 years. Donna is a Teaching Assistant at Bluebell Meadow and works part time as a youth worker within the local community based at T.C.C.A and has been since she left school. Away from school she enjoys spending time with her family and friends. Donna's sons attended Bluebell Meadow but has since left and started secondary school.  She has always been interested in the running and management of schools and has a keen interest in Pupil Premium and SEN. Donna has lived in Trimdon all her life and is passionate about supporting children locally to achieve and aspire to fulfil their potential both academically, socially and emotionally in a nurturing and encouraging environment. 

  Paula Atkinson

Paula is a Community Governor who has worked in finance for many years. She is now the Commercial Director of Skerne Valley Developments. Having lived in Trimdon all of her life she feels very passionate about Bluebell Meadow and cares deeply about primary education. Paula is also a committee member of Trimdon Village Hall and has the interests of all residents of the Trimdon area at heart. She became a Governor to ensure that the children attending Bluebell Meadow have the best education possible.

Amy Stewart  

Amy is a Community Governor whose work and volunteering roles have been administrative, organisations and SEND (special educational needs and disabilities) focused roles.  She works alongside lead professionals from the local authority and health services to influence and improve services for children and young people with SEND needs in Co. Durham which she finds challenging but rewarding.  Amy has lived in Trimdon all her life and her children attend Bluebell Meadow.  She has also been the treasurer for the school’s PTA (Friends of Bluebell Meadow) for the past few years.   Amy will be using the skills she has obtained in work as a school Governor and wants to ensure the school helps our children thrive whilst achieving their best outcomes for future life.

  Tracey Aldworth

Tracey is a Parent Governor who enjoys long walks on the beach and spending time with friends and family. She has lived in Trimdon for nearly 30 years and has two children who attend Bluebell Meadow in Reception and Y4.  Tracey became a Governor to be more involved with the school and is passionate about ensuring that decisions are made that are beneficial to all children.  She wants to be a critical friend to the school and staff and support them in their progress.

Sharon Lupton

Sharon is a Community Governor and is the Subject Leader for R.E. and Director of Equality and Diversity at Sedgefield Community College. She is passionate about ensuring that students are provided with a high quality, relevant and inclusive curriculum.  As the mother of two teenage daughters herself, she understands the issues faced by young people and is very aware of the vital role schools play in helping students to navigate their way through these challenges and to build self-esteem. She therefore places great importance on the provision of lessons and experiences that support personal development, including educational visits. 

As pupils from Bluebell Meadow generally join Sedgefield Community College in Year 7, Sharon was keen to become a Governor in order to begin supporting them as soon as possible and to help facilitate a smooth transition to secondary school.  She is very much looking forward to working with the staff and students and being part of the school community as it continues to grow and develop.

Sarah Armstrong 

Sarah is a Community Governor and Deputy Headteacher at Sedgefield Community College, having joined the school in 2007.  Within this role, Sarah has responsibility for Teaching and Learning, and Curriculum.  Outside of work, Sarah enjoys spending time with her husband and three children, and can often be found cheering them on at the sides of football pitches and swimming pools!

Sarah has a real passion for teaching and learning, and the role that a strong education can have in shaping the lives of all young people, particularly in the north east region.  This is one of the many reasons she decided to become a governor in December 2023.  Sarah is really looking forward to working with the school to ensure the pupils who attend Bluebell Meadow receive the best possible education and wider experiences during their time at the school.

Julie Thomas  

Julie is our Trustee Governor to represent the trust for us and to represent Bluebell Meadow within the trust. Julie is a retired Head Teacher with over 20 years’ experience of being on a Governing Body as either a Deputy Head or Head Teacher. She enjoys spending time with her family, reading, swimming, walking and camping. As a representative of Eden Academy Trust, Julie felt that being recently retired from education she has a lot to offer the school, having been a National Leader of Education in the past.  Julie has 3 children and has 7 grandchildren who are either in pre-school or primary education.