The purpose of the Governing Body is to conduct the school with a view to promoting high standards of educational achievement. It’s three core strategic functions are:
- Ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction
- Holding the headteacher to account for the educational performance of the school and its pupils and the performance management of staff.
- Overseeing the financial performance of the school and making sure its money is well spent.
Our governors have written the Annual Governance Statement which you can read here. This document outlines the responsibilities of our Governing Body, the actions they have taken in the current academic year and the impact of those actions.
Annual Governance Statement for the Governing Body 2025
Governors must provide information regarding whether or not they are likely to have a conflict of interest which could affect the operation of the school. This is called a Register of Interest which can be read by clicking on the link below.
Sunnybrow Primary School Register of Governors’ Interests
| Name of Governor | Date of appointment | Term of office | Appointed by: | Registered Business Interest | Place of Work | Relationships with staff or other governors | Governor of Other Educational Establishment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Claire Sim | 01.06.23 | Headteacher | Sunnybrow Primary School | None | Yes | ||
| Mrs Julie Phillips | 23.03.22 | 22.03.26 | Governing Body | Retired | None | None | No |
| Carl Vincent | 31.01.22 | 31.01.22-30.01.26 | Staff elected | Teacher | Sunnybrow Primary School | None | No |
| Neil Boyd | 15.10.18 | 14.10.26 | Parent elected | None | N/A | Yes | No |
| Sarah Nixon | 15.06.22 | 15.06.22-14.06-26 | Parent elected | None | M Spence Surfacing LTD | None | No |
| Jeannine Murray | 07.10.22 | 07.10.22-06.10.26 | Parent elected | Hairdresser | Self-employed Hairdresser | None | No |
| Kelly Armstrong | 21.06.23 | 21.06.23-20.06.27 | Governing Body | Headteacher | Parkside Academy | None | No |
| Olivia Richardson | 05.02.24 | 05.02.24-04.02.28 | Governing Body | PA and Business Manager | Parkside Academy | None | No |
| Vicky Curry | 14.11.24 | 14.11.24-13.11.28 | Governing Body | Teacher | Peases West Primary School | None | |
| Natalie Mason | 03.12.24 | 03.12.24-02.12.28 | Governing Body | Teacher | Parkside Academy | None |
Governor Code of Conduct
All members of the Governing Body must adhere to the Code of Conduct. This is to ensure that they fulfil their responsibilities effectively and without bringing the Governing Body into disrepute.
Governor Code of Conduct 2025-2026
Statutory Guidance for Governing Bodies
Sunnybrow Primary School adhere to the statutory guidance from the Department of 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.
Maintained schools governance guide – Guidance – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
How To Become A School Governor
If you require further information on the roles and responsibilities of School Governors or you are interested in becoming one, visit the Durham County Council website School Governor section.
Governing Body Committee Structure
| Name | Position | Committees | Term of Office expires | Representing | Responsibilities |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mrs Claire Sim | Headteacher | First/Pay Review Finance and Premises Appeals Staffing/Curriculum & Standards | Staff | ||
| Mrs Julie Phillips | Vice Chair | Finance and Premises Headteacher Appointment Staffing/ Curriculum and Standards | 22.3.26 | Co-opted | Attendance CIC/PCIC Personal Development & Wellbeing |
| Mr Carl Vincent | Finance and Premises Headteacher Appointment Staffing / Curriculum and Standards | 30.1.26 | Staff | ||
| Mr Neil Boyd | Staffing Curriculum & Standards Headteacher Appointment Headteacher Performance | 14.10.26 | Parent | Pupil Premium / Sports Premium | |
| Ms Sarah Nixon | Finance & Premises Appeals Headteacher Appointment Staffing, Curriculum & Standards | 14.3.26 | Parent | Behaviour & Attitudes | |
| Ms Jeannine Murray | Chair | Headteacher Appointment First/Pay review Staffing, Curriculum & Standards | 13.10.26 | Parent | Personal Development & Wellbeing Training & Development |
| Mrs Kelly Armstrong | First/Pay Review Headteacher Performance Staffing, Curriculum & Standards | 20.06.27 | Co-opted | SEND | |
| Mrs Olivia Richardson | Finance & Premises Staffing, Curriculum & Standards | 04.02.28 | Co-opted | GDPR | |
| Mrs Vicky Curry | Appeals Finance and Premises Staffing, Curriculum and Standards | 13.11.28 | Local Authority | EYFS | |
| Natalie Mason | First/Pay Review Finance and Premises Staffing, Curriculum and Standards | 02.12.28 | Co-opted | Safeguarding, including Online Safety |
Governor Attendance
Record of Attendance 2025-2026
| Governor | FGB 09.10.25 | Finance 09.10.25 | FGB 12.02.26 | Finance 12.02.26 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Claire Sim (HT) | / | / | |||
| Julie Philips | / | / | |||
| Carl Vincent | / | / | |||
| Neil Boyd | apols | apols | |||
| Jeannine Murray | apols | apols | |||
| Sarah Nixon | / | / | |||
| Kelly Armstrong | / | na | |||
| Olivia Richardson | / | apols | |||
| Natalie Mason | / | apols | |||
| Victoria Curry | / | apols |
Archived Information
You can view archived governor information here .
Committee Terms of Reference
Committee Terms of Reference June 2025
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