Governance at Rauceby Primary School

Welcome to the governance page for Rauceby Primary School. As a stand-alone academy serving our rural Lincolnshire village community, we are committed to clear, effective governance that supports high-quality education, strong wellbeing, and ambitious outcomes for every child. This page explains who governs the school, what they do, how they work, and how their work reflects our Christian vision and values.

Our role and purpose

The governing body of Rauceby Primary School provides strategic leadership and accountability. Governors work in partnership with the headteacher and leadership team to:

• Set and review the school’s vision, values and long-term goals in line with our motto #thischildcan and our Christian vision of 'I can do all things through him who gives me strength' Philippians 4:13.
• Ensure high standards of pupil progress, achievement and wellbeing.
• Oversee the school’s finances, staffing and estate so that resources are used to benefit all children.
• Ensure statutory duties (including safeguarding, SEND, admissions and published information) are met.
• Champion inclusion, equality and aspiration across the school community.

Governing bodies in stand-alone academies

As a stand-alone academy, Rauceby’s governance operates with delegated responsibility from the Department for Education. Our governing body:

• Acts as the accountable body for the academy trust.
• Holds the headteacher to account for performance and the quality of education.
• Sets strategic priorities and approves the budget and key policies.
• Ensures compliance with academy funding agreements and statutory guidance.

Members of the Academy Trust

In addition to governors and trustees, our stand-alone academy has Members who provide the highest level of oversight for the trust. Members:

• Appoint and, where necessary, remove trustees (or the governing body where constituted as a local governing body).
• Receive the annual accounts and hold the trustees to account for the trust’s performance and governance.
• Ensure the trust’s objects and charitable status are upheld and that the governance structure operates effectively.
• Typically meet at least once a year (annual general meeting) and on other occasions as required for strategic matters.
  At Rauceby, our Members are drawn from individuals who share and safeguard the school’s vision and values. They do not engage in day-to-day governance but act as a safeguarding layer of accountability, ensuring the governing body and trustees fulfil their legal and financial duties. We publish the names of Members, their roles and attendance records on our governance webpage in line with statutory requirements.

The value of school governance

Good governance makes a measurable difference to childrens’ lives. At Rauceby we believe effective governance:

• Secures high educational standards and supports the school’s high-achieving profile.
• Provides challenge and support to school leaders to drive continuous improvement.
• Protects the welfare and safeguarding of children.
• Builds trust and engagement with parents, staff and the wider Rauceby family.
• Ensures transparency and responsible stewardship of public funds.

Roles and responsibilities

Our governing body is made up of members with defined roles and collective responsibilities. Key responsibilities includes

Chair of Governors

• Leads the governing body, ensuring effective governance and good communication with leaders and the community.

Governor 

• Monitors specific areas such as safeguarding, SEND, curriculum, pupil premium, finance and wellbeing.
• Visits the school to gather first-hand evidence, reporting back to the full governing body.

Committees

Focused committees review detailed work and make recommendations to the full governing body. Typical remits include:

• Teaching, Learning and Curriculum: monitors progress, attainment, curriculum intent and implementation, supports inclusion and equality strategie
• Finance & Resources: oversees budget, staffing and premises.

Clerk to Governors 

• Provides administrative support, ensures meetings are properly conducted and that statutory records are maintained.

Trustees 

• Trustees carry delegated responsibility for governance and ensure compliance with funding agreements and charity law. Our school governors are also trustees.

All Governors and Members are expected to:

• Act with integrity and in the best interests of children.

• Maintain confidentiality where appropriate while ensuring transparency through published information.
• Undertake regular training and self-evaluation to improve the governing body’s effectiveness.

Meetings and transparency

• The governing body meets regularly each term, usually once in every half term. There are between 5 and 6 Full Governing Board meetings each year. Committees meet at least termly, with additional meetings scheduled as required.
• Meeting agendas, minutes and attendance records are maintained to ensure accountability and transparency.
• We publish governance arrangements and key governance information on our website in an accessible format, in line with statutory requirements.

Skills and training

Rauceby’s governors bring a range of professional backgrounds and skills that support strategic oversight, including education, finance, safeguarding and community and church engagement. We prioritise:

• Regular skills audits to identify areas for recruitment and development.
• Ongoing training for all governors (induction, safeguarding updates, curriculum and finance training).
• Appraisal and evaluation of governance effectiveness, so we continuously improve the support and challenge we provide to leaders.

We actively recruit governors who reflect our values: kindness, honesty, forgiveness, aspiration and equality, and who are committed to our vision.

How our governance reflects Rauceby’s vision and values

• Vision-led planning: Rauceby Primary School’s governance provides strategic leadership, rigorous oversight and a values-driven approach to ensure every child flourishes academically and personally. Grounded in our Christian ethos and the belief that “this child can”, governors and Members work with school leaders and the community to sustain high standards, strong wellbeing and equal opportunities for all pupils.
• Inclusive decisions: Policies and resource allocation decisions consider equality of opportunity and the needs of all groups (including SEND, service families, and pupils eligible for pupil premium).
• Community focus: Governance engagement includes listening to parents, staff and children so the school remains the primary choice for local families.
• Christian values: Our governance models and upholds the values of responsibility, compassion and the belief that “this child can” succeed.

Contacting Governors

• Governors can be contacted through the Chair of Governors (Interim) at tim.eccles@rauceby.lincs.sch.uk  or the Clerk to the Governors at  debbie.scott@rauceby.lincs.sch.uk 
• We publish our governance structure, committee remits, governor and Member biographies, attendance at meetings over the last academic year, and relevant policies to ensure openness and to meet regulatory requirements.
• Please contact us if you wish to find out more about becoming a governor at Rauceby Church of England Primary School.

WHO'S WHO

Mr Tim Eccles (Interim Chair) - Parent Governor

Both of my children have attended Rauceby, with my youngest still here, and have thrived in the supportive and enriching environment provided by the school. I was elected as a Parent Governor in January 2022 and have enjoyed using the skills from over 20 years in my industry to work alongside the School on its journey to move forward.

Mrs Julia Waites - Ex-officio (Headteacher)

I joined Rauceby Primary as Headteacher in September 2021 and feel immensely privileged to lead a school of talented staff, committed governors and fantastic children. I have been a Headteacher for 12 years  - my previous school being in the south of Lincolnshire. Prior to headship, I was a teaching and learning consultant for Lincolnshire's school improvement service where I worked with schools across the county and further afield developing good and outstanding practice in English.  Earlier in my 32 year career in education, I spent many happy years as a Deputy Head in another Lincolnshire school. As a school team, we strive to provide the very best opportunities for our children and continually look to improve and develop what we offer our children and parents.

Mark McTiernan - Member Appointed  Governor

I was very pleased to be elected as a Parent Governor at Rauceby in November 2019 and now Member Appointed Governor since May 2022.  Both of my daughters have attended the school, and have now moved on to Kesteven & Sleaford High School, and their time at Rauceby prepared them well for this transition. Our youngest still attends this amazing, supportive and enriching school.

Reverend Georgina Machell - Ex-officio Foundation

I trained for ministry at Lincoln Theological College. I was priested in 2012 and served my curacy in my home parish of North Lafford as an Ordained Local Minister. During my curacy was I was appointed House-for-Duty priest. I bring my enthusiasm for rural ministry to my new role as Rector of East Loveden group of parishes.  I look forward to living and ministering in the East Loveden group of parishes, serving God and his people and the schools in the benefice. I am also looking forward to continuing to strengthen the links between the church and the Schools as an ex- officio governor of Rauceby, Ancaster and Barkston & Syston schools.

Mrs Kate Roche - Co-opted Governor

I joined the Governors as Parent Governor early in 2022, becoming an Associate Governor in January 2026, before being co-opted in July 2026.  I have over 20 years’ experience as a teacher, both at secondary and primary, and I hope that experience and my skills will enable me to support Rauceby in its journey moving forward.

Mrs Sarah Singleton - Parent Governor

I have 2 daughters who have both attended Rauceby Primary School, the youngest still being here, and feel privileged to be a parent governor.  I am a qualified teacher and have taught PE & Sport Science in schools and FE colleges since 20044. Alongside my role as a teacher, since 20447 I have been an Usborne partner & enjoy working with schools around the UK to transform their libraries. I have a real passion for promoting reading for pleasure.

Mrs Jackie Bainbridge - Foundation Governor

My work background is in the health services, and I worked as a general nurse, midwife and health visitor for many years. Lincoln Diocese appoint governors to help Church of England schools maintain their religious character, and after I retired from work a few years ago I was appointed by the Diocese as a Foundation Governor for this school, acting as a liaison between church and the school.

Mrs Kerry Dickson - Parent Governor

I joined as a Parent Governor in 2023. I am a Learning Disability Nurse and have worked in the NHS for over 20 years. I have a special interest in Special Education Needs.

Mr Nicholas Dodgson - Parent Governor

I was delighted to be elected as a Parent Governor in 2023, in order to give something back to a wonderful school that continues to support children, I have a child in Year 3. As a Commissioned Officer in the Royal Air Force Police, I have 15 years’ experience in delivering Governance and Assurance, as well as specialist qualifications in Child Safeguarding. I am looking forward to utilising these specialist skills and experience to support Rauceby Primary School as it continues to evolve and support children in the local community.

Mr Alex Wells - Parent Governor

Mrs Kelly Brooke - Co-opted Governor

Rauceby Members

As an Academy we also have Academy Members who, amongst other tasks, appoint some of the Governors and meet annually to appoint the auditors and receive the Academy's Annual Report and Financial Statement.  Our Members are currently:

Mr N Henderson

Mrs A Naylor

Mr T Eccles - ex-officio as Interim Chair of the Governing Body

Mr P Brewster - representing the Diocesan Board of Finance and the Diocesan Board of Education