Our Local Governing Committee

The role of the Local Governance Committee is to work closely with the Headteacher and staff to provide the very best education for all the children at school. 

The school governors are volunteers and give their time freely.  They bring a range of skills and experience to supporting the school and are committed to the school’s values and standards.

As governors we have a range of roles and responsibilities.

Working with the Executive Head Teacher and Pickwick Academy Trust the Governors establish the school’s aims and objectives and how the school will develop and improve to the benefit of all our children.

The governors are there to support and challenge the school’s leadership team.  It is their job to hold the head teacher to account to ensure the best possible outcomes for the children.  They do this in a constructive and positive fashion by rigorous questioning and challenge.

The governors have a responsibility to ensure that the school complies with all relevant legislation and regulations, especially safeguarding.

Working with the Executive Head Teacher and the school’s senior leadership, the governors are there to ensure that the children are safe and have every opportunity to flourish and grow at St Gregory’s into resilient and confident learners, and that our school remains at the centre of our community into the future.

From September 2025, the Local Governance Committees of St George’s CE Primary School, Bourton and St Gregory’s CE Primary School, Marnhull have come together to form a single Joint Local Governance Committee.

Both schools share an Executive Head Teacher, an Executive Deputy Head, and a SENDCo and are proud members of the Pickwick Academy Trust. The staff across both schools work well together to support the children and families at both schools. By joining our governance teams, the Governors can share ideas, experience and time to give both schools the very best support.

The Joint Local Governing Board:

• Provides cohesive oversight and support across both schools.
  
• Builds on the shared Christian ethos and values.
  
• Helps make the best use of expertise, resources, and opportunities within the Pickwick Academy Trust.
  
• Continues to champion high standards of teaching, learning, and pupil well-being.

For families,  children and staff, nothing change's in the day-to-day running of either school. Parents and carers still see the same friendly staff, routines and events – but behind the scenes the governors work as one team to help both schools' flourish.  

The Governors are all volunteers, giving their time freely to support the development of each school.  

The Chair of the Joint Local Governance Committee is Mrs Harriet Ridout, and she is supported by two Vice Chairs: Mrs Sharon Martin (St Gregory's) and Mr Harry Phillips (St George's). 

What Skills do You Need to be an Effective Governor?

It is important that each governor can use their skills in the governor’s meetings. Some of the skills that are important are as follows:

Listening
Organising
Problem solving
Communication
Leadership
Teamworking 

Governors who have life experience and transferrable work skills can also make an important contribution to the work of the Local Governing Committee (LGC) 

But the most important thing is ENTHUSIASM!  

Interested in becoming a Governor?  Please contact our clerk: clerk@bourton.dorset.sch.uk

Meet Our Governors: