We are volunteers and are parents, staff and trust governors who know the school and its values and ethos well. We are responsible for maintaining and improving the standard of achievement of pupils and the conduct of the school, and do this by providing support and challenge to the Headteacher. Our role is that of a critical friend and we will always act in the best interests of all pupils at the school.
We are delighted to confirm that on September 1st 2016, Kippax North Primary School converted into Academy status alongside some of our Trust partner schools, supported by our own Multi-Academy Trust – The Brighshaw Learning Partnership (BLP). Please visit the Brigshaw Learning Partnership website to find out about the Board of Directors and view the Trust’s Governance and Financial information.
Each school continues to have its own headteacher and governing body, and the Brigshaw Learning Partnership Board, which is now responsible for all of our schools, contains representatives from across our community, as well as very experienced and skilled people who share our values, including headteachers, from further afield.
Parent Governors are elected by the parents of pupils in school.
Community Governors are appointed by the Brigshaw Learning Partnership
Staff Governors are elected by the staff of the school.
Associate Members are appointed by the Local Governing Body and work in an advisory capacity. Associate Members have no voting rights.
**The Headteacher **holds an ex-officio position.
I have been a governor since January 2017, firstly as a parent governor and I became a trust governor in January 2021. I have two children and one still attends the school. I am delighted to have the opportunity to provide support and challenge to the school and ensure that children’s interests are at the heart of decisions. I believe that schools are key in preparing our children to have full and happy roles in our communities and the Kippax North ethos and strategic direction supports this.
My experience as a Chartered Management Accountant in both the Manufacturing and Financial Services sectors has given me skills that can support the school within the Governance framework. As I increase my experience and continue to learn about the academic environment, my aim is to serve the hard-working and enthusiastic community of staff, children and parents at Kippax North.
Over the years since I was first appointed to the governing body in 2003 I have seen Kippax North grow as a school in terms of teaching, support for pupils to achieve their best and enjoy great experiences on the way. I’ve been a governor since 2003 and chair of governors since 2008, I live in Kippax and I am elected as a Leeds City Councillor for Kippax and Methley ward so represent many families and the school’s local community.
There have been considerable changes in national and local education policy in the last decade. Our school has moved from being a Local Education Authority school into one that is now part of the Brigshaw MAT. During this change I have seen the governors and staff always ensure that the achievement and welfare of our pupils is at the heart of life in school.
We have also worked closely as staff, governors and volunteers to bring about big changes to the school building and grounds which has helped make teaching, learning and life in school much richer. I’m proud of the School and the community and playing my part in giving children the best start in life.
I have been involved in school governance for many years at Kippax North, originally becoming a Parent Governor when my children attended here. I currently hold the position of Community Governor.
I am a great supporter of the Kippax North Ethos of ‘Aim High’ and ‘Smile and Learn’. I worked at Kippax Norrth previously for 29 years, and both my children were pupils here. It has made me very proud to see how the school has developed, how every inch of our school is used for learning, and how all our pupils are helped and encouraged to achieve their full potential, whatever their ability, interests or backgrounds, through all the different opportunities and experiences that school provides. This ensures that all our pupils have the opportunity to succeed.
I particularly enjoy being an ambassador for our school, and I support school in all activities that take place. Throughout my time as a Governor, I have always felt that it has been a privilege to be part of such an exciting yet challenging opportunity and feel that the knowledge and experience that I have gained throughout my term of office ensures that I can continue to be a ‘critical friend’. Being a Governor is purely on a voluntary basis, but I enjoy putting something back into our school community, and take pleasure in seeing what a lively, vibrant place Kippax North is.
Having been a member of the team for 19 years, I have witnessed and contributed to Kippax North’s growth and development into the caring, nurturing and successful learning environment we now provide for our children. As a long standing and committed member of the staff team, I am committed to ensuring that all our children experience the best possible provision to equip them for their journey through life. I believe that through encouraging the pupils to make a positive contribution to the wider life and ethos of the school they will themselves become responsible, caring adults.
I have been a Governor at Kippax North for nearly 20 years, originally as a Parent Governor and now as a Community Governor.
I am originally from Bradford and lived in different parts of the country until we moved back 'up north' and settled in Kippax 30 years ago.
I have two grown-up daughters Helen, who is a primary school teacher and Anna, who is a dancer. Both attended Kippax North where they were very happy. My grandson Noah, aged 6, is now very happily settled in Key Stage 1.
I have worked most of my life as a social worker, mainly working with older people. I now work part-time at Bradford University and with the Open University, organising and supporting placements for students on their social work degree courses. I have been a Parent Governor since January 2017 and my two children attend the school.
Kippax North has always been an excellent school and is going from strength to strength. I am particularly pleased and proud that the school maintains high academic success while continuing to value all children and their particular achievements, and continuing to provide a wide range of extra-curricular activities.
My name is Chris Reid and I joined the Governor team in April 2018 as a Community Governor to support the existing team. I have 2 children, both of whom attend Kippax North and live locally.
My background is as a professional engineer and cofounder and director of a rail startup business delivering depot train care services.
Kippax North is a fantastic school and a key part of the community and I am privileged to be able to offer my experiences to support an already outstanding learning environment.
SARAH TUSTIN-SMITH
I joined the Governor team in September 2020 as a Parent Governor.
I am keen to support the education and welfare of our children at school as I have a particular interest in children’s development from an early age throughout the primary age range. In the role of governor I support and challenge the school to maintain its values and deliver the success and performance required.
I have experience with working with children from the ages of 6 months to 12 years both in and out of the school environment.
I am a parent governor and have been part of the safeguarding working group at Kippax North since February 2021. I am a national parent support worker at PACE, and I like a school to be a supportive community that creates different learning settings to make an interesting, fun and safe place to explore and grow. My two boys both go to Kippax North and I wish to use my term as governor to continue to provide inclusivity and rich learning environments.
The Local Governing Body has three core functions:
Lucy Marshall - Chair of Governors
Term of Office: 31/01/2021 - 31/01/2025
Specific Responsibilities: Compliance and Resources
Sarah Tustin-Smith - Parent Governor
Term of Office: 01/09/2020 – 01/09/2024
Specific Responsibilities: Curriculum
Richard Howitt - Headteacher
Term of Office: 01/01/2022
Specific Responsibilities: Ex Officio
Cllr James Lewis- Community Governor
Term of Office: 01/09/2018 - 01/09/2022
Specific Responsibilities: Inclusion, including Pupil Premium
Melinda Hiller - Parent Governor
Term of Office: 23/02/2021 - 23/02/2025
Specific Responsibilities: Safeguarding, Child Protection and Attendance
Janet Montgomerie - Community Governor
Term of Office: 01/01/2019 – 01/01/2023
Specific Responsibilities: Safeguarding, Child Protection and Attendance; and SEND
Chris Clarke - Community Governor
Term of Office: 01/09/2020 – 01/09/2024
Specific Responsibilities: Educational Visits and Curriculum
Beverly Doubtfire - Staff Governor
Term of Office: 09/10/2019 – 09/10/2023
Chris Reid - Community Governor
Term of Office: 06/02/2018 – 06/02/2026
Specific Responsibilities: Resources and Health and Safety
David Ball - Staff Governor
Term of Office: 01/09/2022-01/09/2026
Local Governing Body
2022-23
All company documentation relating to The Brigshaw Learning Partnership, including:
Tuesday 6 September to Friday 21 October
Monday 20 Feb to Friday 31 March
Wednesday 4 January to Friday 10 February
Monday 31 October to Friday 16 December
Monday 17 April to Friday 26 May
Christmas Holidays
Monday 19 December to Monday 2 January
Half Term
Monday 24 October to Friday 28 October
Half Term
Monday 13 February to Friday 17 February
Easter Holidays
Monday 3 April to Friday 14 April
Half Term
Monday 29 May to Friday 2 June
Summer Holidays
Wednesday 26 July to Friday 1 September
Monday 5 June to Tuesday 25 July
Here are our curricular plans for each class. This year we are currently on cycle B.
Kippax North Primary School aims to enable all young people to become;
The below timetable applies to applications made to Leeds City Council. If you apply to another local authority, they may have different dates