Governance
Governance
For full details of YLT’s governance arrangements and information regarding the Trustees and Members, please see the MAT website.
A single local governing body was created in March 2023 to provide governance across both Bishopthorpe Infant School (BIS) and Archbishop of York’s Church of England Junior School (AYJS), working closely with the Executive Headteacher appointed to lead both schools.
Our Governance Structure
Our school is part of Yorkshire Learning Trust. The Trust can be contacted at Yorkshire Learning Trust, Rose Cottage, Toulston, Tadcaster LS24 9NB; email: enquiries@ylt.org.uk; phone: 01937 538538.
Within Yorkshire Trust, each school has a Local Governing Committee (LGC) that supports the work of the school and the Trust. The LGC has certain delegated authority to oversee the running of the school under the Scheme of Delegation as defined by our Board of Trustees.
Further information about our governance structure, including details of our Trustees and Members, is available via the Yorkshire Learning Trust (YLT) website.
Our Local Governing Committee (LGC)
Our Local Governing Committee (sometimes called our Local Governing Board or Local Governing Body) is responsible for working with the school to ensure that it delivers a high-quality education and safe environment for all our children. Together with the Headteacher, who is responsible for day-to-day management of the school, the Governors set the school’s aims and some school specific policies.
Governors are people who volunteer their time to work together as part of the LGC team and who wish to make a positive contribution to their communities. Governors do not need an education background; they have an interest in the role of schools in society and have enquiring minds which contribute to the effective running of the school and the educational achievements and wellbeing of its pupils.
Main aims of our Governing Board
The purpose of governance is to provide:
· Strategic leadership
· Accountability and assurance
· Strategic engagement.
LGCs carry out a number of important duties alongside the Trust, which include:
· Ensuring our children are safe.
· Working with school staff to ensure inclusion and equality for all.
· Reviewing policy on the school’s curriculum.
· Setting standards for pupils’ behaviour.
· Making sure school buildings are welcoming and safe.
· Setting and monitoring the school’s aims and ethos.
· Agreeing the school’s development plan and monitoring progress against clear objectives.
· Monitoring the school’s budget to ensure it is spent in the best way for our young people.
· Understanding the views of our stakeholders, including children, parents and staff.
· Hearing appeals and grievances.
Our meetings and membership
Our LGC usually meets six times a year. Minutes of the LGC meetings are available on request from the School Office or via clerktogovs@ylt.org.uk
Attendance at LGC meetings is recorded and published annually on the YLT website.
Governors are expected to declare any relevant business and financial interests they may have. This Register of Business Interests is available via the YLT website.
Membership of the governing body is made up of a number of different types of governor, reflecting each school’s heritage and our key stakeholders. Our LGC consists of :
- 2 Parent governors (1 BIS and 1 AYJS)
- 2 Staff governors (1 BIS and 1 AYJS)
- 3 Foundation governors (reflecting AYJS’s status as a Church of England school)
- 4 Trust appointed governors
Local Governor’s Name Category of Local Governor
Mrs Jane Flint (Joint Chair of Governors) Foundation appointed
Revd Simon Bray (Joint Chair of Governors) Foundation appointed & Ex-Officio
Miss Sophie Cunningham (Vice Chair) (SEND) Trust appointed
Mrs Kate Freer Parent appointed (BIS)
Mrs Alpa Mistry Parent appointed (AYJS)
Mrs Angela Rhodes Staff appointed (BIS)
Mrs Joanne Block Staff appointed (AYJS)
Dr Rosamund Boddington Foundation appointed
Mr Simon Sykes (Health & Safety) Trust appointed
Megan Greenwood Trust appointed
Hannah Harris Trust appointed
Our Joint Chairs of Governors are Mrs Jane Flint and Reverend Simon Bray who can be contacted by writing to the school address, or emailing: j.flint@ayjs.co.uk
If you are interested in volunteering for the school or Trust as a school governor, please see our latest vacancies and application form available on the YLT website.
Diversity statement
At YLT we believe that diversity and inclusion are integral to our success. We are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered to achieve their full potential.
We actively seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most talented individuals from a wide range of backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences. We celebrate the unique contributions of each team member and are dedicated to fostering a culture of equality, where differences are not only embraced but are seen as a source of strength.
Our commitment to diversity and inclusion is reflected in our policies, practices, and the way we do business. We strive to ensure that our recruitment processes are fair, unbiased, and inclusive, and we are continuously working to improve them.
We understand that diversity drives innovation and creativity, and we are dedicated to building a diverse team that reflects the communities we serve.
Yorkshire Learning Trust – additional governance and financial information
Details of our Trustees and Members and governance arrangements are on the YLT website.
There are statutory obligations for Trusts to publish additional governance and financial information online.
This includes our Articles of Association; Annual Reports and Accounts; funding agreements Executive Pay reports; and Gender Pay Gap reports. This information is published on our Trust website