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Governors

Adel Primary School Governing Body

Governing Bodies play a vital part in the success of schools and The Department for Education (DfE) sets out information on the role of governing bodies in the Governor's Handbook. Ofsted, the national body that inspects schools, have been placing increasing emphasis on good governance as a key element in the effectiveness of a school.  

School Governors are volunteers who work with the Headteacher and with the Local Authority, to improve standards in their school. They provide both challenge and support to the Headteacher, taking the role of a 'critical friend'. 

The core functions of the Governing Body 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. 

Contact 

The school office can take messages for Governors.  Alternatively, written communications should be sent c/o the school address or by emailing school@adelprimary.org.uk 

Complaints Procedure 

Adel Primary School and its Governing Body follows staged procedures outlined in the Complaints Policy which can be found on our school website.  It is always the school's policy to resolve matters at the lowest level, firstly through discussion. We welcome parental feedback.  

Governors at Adel Primary School 

The individual skills members bring to the Governing Body are essential in informing the decision making of the school. We have some key strengths amongst the Governors including: 

  • Financial Management 
  • Health and Safety 
  • Legal 
  • Strategic Business Planning 
  • Human Resources Management 
  • IT 
  • Education 

Being a school Governor is a voluntary role, but one that comes with a lot of responsibility.  Governors must abide by a code of conduct, which includes points such as attending all meetings and maintaining confidentiality. 

Governors are expected to undertake regular training during their term of office to ensure that they have the necessary skills to fulfil their duties. A record of training completed is held by the Training Governor.  

Becoming a Governor 

You can find information about the role of Governors and how to become a Governor by clicking the following links: 

Meet our Governors

Miss Diane Hallas
Chair of Governors

 
Mr David Gilliard
Vice Chair

 
Mr Ira Jeffers
Co-opted Governor

 

  
Mr Bob Ubhi
Co-opted Governor

 
Mr Ian Smith
Co-opted Governor

 
Mrs Karen Richardson
Co-opted Governor
  
Dr Louise Ellis Jones Parent Governor

 
Mr Georgios Gkiokas Parent Governor
 

 
Mrs Emma Shadbolt
Co-opted Governor

 

  
Mrs Tamsin Benning
Staff Governor
Mrs Julie Cordingley Headteacher
    

Governor Biographies

Diane Hallas  
Chair of Governors

Governor Responsibilities: 

Attendance

PSHE & Wellbeing 

English

Having retired from my career as a High School English teacher, I am now volunteering in the local and wider community. I became a governor to maintain my links to education, about which I am passionate.

 
I have three grown up sons who are busy pursuing their careers in various parts of the country; I spend time visiting them as well as pursuing my own hobbies, one of which is photography. I also like to follow gymnastics (a sport I coached to international level) and a number of other sports and I am lucky to have been able to volunteer at a number of major sporting events, including Wimbledon and the Commonwealth Games..

 

As a Governor, I hope to work with the school community and support the staff using the experience and expertise I have picked up along my journey in education. As a firm believer in the idea of lifelong learning, I am hoping that the staff, governors, parents and pupils of Adel Primary will enable me to learn many new things too.

 
David Gilliard 
Vice Chair

Governor Responsibilities:  

Extended Services 

Pupil Voice

Children Looked After 

I spent fifty years working as a chartered surveyor in a nationalised industry, an American oil company, private practice (some of which was self-employed), university lecturer, and in four local authorities.

My interests are mainly my family; I have two daughters (who both obtained good degrees from Cambridge and went on to successful careers) and four granddaughters (born between 2015 and 2023). Other interests include travel, current affairs, good food, cinema and theatre.

I became a governor on retirement in 2015 because I wanted to do something positive for children. I feel that education is so important and that, no matter how good a school is, there is always room for improvement. I particularly enjoy coming into school and am frequently amazed by the children's breadth of knowledge compared with my (admittedly hazy) recollections of my days at primary school.
Ira Jeffers 
Co-opted Governor

Governor Responsibilities: 

Online Safety including Website monitoring 

My role at Adel is to set the aims and objectives of the school and set and agree policies, along with the rest of the Governing body. As a Governor I will hold the school to account by evaluating performance and progress of our goals. I sit on the resource committee which ensures the school is financially sustainable for the future with the right resources within the school. I am currently allocated to Year 5 and also have responsibility for the PE Premium. 

In my day job, I am Head of HR, which gives me a good understanding of resources, financial and business planning. 
Bob Ubhi  
Chair of Resources Committee 

Governor Responsibilities: 

Health and Safety 

I am a parent to two boys one at a local Primary and the other just started Secondary school. They strive to keep me busy and active and test my patience on a daily basis.  

I have been a Company Director for over 25 years, first within the Petroleum Industry and then moved into the Property Sector where we have continued.   

I am a University Mathematics graduate and enjoy teaching my boys various solutions to complicated questions, although I cannot solve the Rubiks Cube as yet! I am an avid Gamer with my boys and play Golf, when allowed!  

I have been a Governor for over 10 years and have seen many changes and developments over this time through evolving Governments. I am currently the H&S Governor for the school and you will probably have seen me inspecting the premises whilst you were having your lessons. I hope you have seen the many modifications we have implemented and improved for a safer environment for you to learn. I am proud to be a Governor for Adel. 
Ian Smith
Co-opted Governor

Governor Responsibilities: 

Performance Data

Pupil Premium

PE Premium

Governor Training 

I was appointed as a Parent Governor in 2021 and have since become a co-opted Governor. I am proud to be associated with this school and its community.

I have two daughters, one is currently in Year 5 at Adel Primary and one who has since moved on to high school. Unlike when I was their age, they love going to school, which says a lot about the care, development and stimulation that this school provides. I am a governor because I want to ensure that all children continue to receive the support and education that my children have.

I run my own company as a Business Psychologist. My day job is to ensure that organisations select and promote the right people and that employees are the best they can be in their role. When I’m not doing that or spending time with the kids, I enjoy playing as much football and golf as my ageing body allows.
Louise Ellis Jones
Parent Governor 

Governor Responsibilities: 

Early years and Foundation Stage

Sustainability

Equality and Diversity

I became a Parent Governor in May 2023 and currently have two children in School. As a governor I hope to play a role in supporting the further development of an inclusive school community which has at its heart the wellbeing of all the pupils; providing the children with an excellent start to their educational journey and allowing their academic abilities, curiosity and wellbeing to flourish.

I have spent my professional career focusing on environmental and social sustainability, with nearly 30 years experience of working with organisations across education, private and public sector to work in ways which promotes greater equality, social and environmental value and improve their own performance.

I currently run my own business but previously worked at the University of Leeds, I am loving taking what I have learnt from over 18 years’ work in Higher Education, and seeing how this links to primary schools; understanding a person’s educational journey right from its beginning.

Outside work I love sport, especially cricket, walking our dog and of course taxing the kids around!
Georgios Gkiokas
Parent Governor

Governor Responsibilities:

Budget oversight 

Pupil Premium

PE Premium

I was appointed Parent Governor in May 2023 and I have two children in the school, in year 2 and year 4. My main aim for pursuing this opportunity, was to see my children, as well as every pupil in our school, thrive. Getting involved with the school’s governing body, will allow me to support all pupils in achieving exactly that.

I have spent the majority of my professional career in the financial services industry, and more specifically within risk management. This essentially entails supporting my organisation grow in a safe and financially sustainable manner. 

Outside of work and school responsibilities, I usually run after my two little ones, lots of walks and childrens' activities, and I enjoy the odd book, with Lee Child being my go-to author (although spare time for reading books with two small children at home feels like a luxurious commodity nowadays).