Our Governors
What does the Governing Body do?
The Governing board make key strategic decisions about Rivelin. Examples include appointing the head teacher; setting the budget, deciding on staffing structures and monitoring the school’s improvement plan.
In line with the Governments requirement for having a strong focus on three core strategic functions, the Governors responsibilities are:
- To set the vision and strategic direction of the school.
- To hold the head teacher to account for the educational performance of the school, its pupils and the performance management of staff.
- To ensure financial resources are well spent.
- Ensuring the voices of school stakeholder are heard.
The Governing board does not manage the school on a day-to-day basis. The Governors are very careful to leave everyday decisions about the children and the staff to Mrs Wright.
As a Governing board we believe are always trying to strike the right balance between supporting the senior leaders in their efforts to improve the school and monitoring the decisions they are making.
Keeping you Informed
As a Governing board we are always looking for better ways to communicate with parents, carers and everyone else with an interest in the success of the school. We want to ensure that the website keeps parents informed and hopefully, encourage some feedback. This can be sent directly to enquiries@rivelin.sheffield.sch.uk, and we will aim to act upon all feedback received.
Why not take a look at our 'Frequently Asked Questions' (FAQ) section. This will be a useful tool for answering any questions you may have.
If you have a question that you would like to ask, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us. Please also look out for us at Rivelin events and come say hello.
Warm regards,
Who is on the Governing Board?
The governing board is made up of a number of different types of governors who are appointed in different ways, but they all have the same responsibility to work for the best outcomes for the children of Rivelin.
Parent governors are voted for by our families. The staff goveror is voted for by everyone who works in the school.Rivelin is a maintained school, and one governor is appointed as local authority governor. Coopted governers are appointed by the board itself because they have relevant skills and experience. The headteacher is an ex-officio member of the board.
All board members, except the head, serve four-year-long terms.
The chairs of governors at Rivelin is Dave Higgens, and the vice-chair is Andy Caine.
This is the current make-up of the board:
Anna Baker (Staff)
Andy Caine (Local Authority)
Tony Cater (Coopted)
Dave Higgens (Coopted)
Sarah Lacey (Parent)
James Mckinlay (Coopted)
Tracey Naylor (Coopted)
Kat Rothwell (Coopted)
Alison Stothard (Coopted)
Jaimin Thakar (Coopted)
Hayley Wright (Headteacher)
Kat Rothwell is the Safeguarding governor. Sarah Lacey is the SEND governor.
How often do the governors meet?
Unlike some goering bodies, Rivelin's board board does not have committees. All deciscions are made at full board meetings which are attended by all governors. The board meets twice a term, so six times a year.
Statutory Information
The government requires governing bodies to publish the following information about governors on its website. This includes information about our current governors and anyone else who has been on the governing board in the last 12 months.
The following governors have stepped down in the last year: Jill Collins (July 2025), Peter Jow (June 2025) and Kamiran Hussain (October 2024).
Who is on the board?
| Name | Appointed by | Current term start | Term ends | Board Roles |
| Anna B | Staff | 10/5/23 | 9/5/27 | |
| Andy C | Local Authority | 21/6/25 | 20/6/29 | Vice Chair |
| Tony C | Board (Coopted) | 24/3/25 | 23/3/29 | |
| Dave H | Board (Coopted) | 17/1/25 | 16/1/29 | Chair |
| Sarah L | Parent | 4/12/24 | 3/12/28 | SEND |
| James M | Board (Coopted) | 24/3/25 | 23/3/29 | |
| Tracey N | Board (Coopted) | 15/3/23 | 14/3/27 | |
| Kat R | Board (Coopted) | 5/2/24 | 4/2/28 | Safeguarding |
| Alison S | Board (Coopted) | 12/6/21 | 11/6/25 | |
| Jaimin T | Board (Coopted) | 24/3/25 | 23/3/29 | |
| Hayley W | Headteacher | N/A | N/A |
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FAQ's What is the chair of Governors role?Being a chair of governors is a key leadership role and governing bodies are central to the effectiveness and accountability of schools. The Governors’ handbook, published by the Department for Education, quoted that governors “are the strategic leaders of our schools and have a vital role to play in making sure every child gets the best possible education”. What is the difference between a parent Governor and a co-opted Governor?Parent Governors are elected by the parents of children at school. A Parent Governor must have a child at the school at the time of their election. A co-opted Governor is a person appointed by the governing body and who, in the opinion of the governing board, has the skills required to contribute to the effective governance and success of the school. How long does a parent governor serve for?A Parent Governor serves typically for a term of four years, after which they can stand for re-election if they still have a child at the school. How can I get in touch to ask a question? We are extremely keen to hear from parents and carers, and there are a number of ways you can get in touch with us. Firstly, you can contact us via the email address enquiries@rivelin.sheffield.sch.uk Secondly, on the reception desk, there are some’ get in touch’ cards. These cards have an overview of the Governing body role and on the back of the card, there is space for you to write your question down. There is a post box situated in the reception foyer, so please post it through, and we will pick up and get back to you as soon as we can. I am interested in being a parent governor, how do I get involved?Please email enquiries@rivelin.sheffield.sch.uk and this will be forwarded onto our chair of governors, Dave Higgens.
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Rivelin's governing body currently has no associate members.