Governors
As Chair of the Governing Body, I’m delighted to welcome you to Ellingham Primary School. Ellingham is a wonderful school with an amazing team and children. I am very well supported by an experienced Governing Body with a range of expertise.
The Governing Body works collaboratively and have a general responsibility for supporting and challenging the leadership team to ensure that the school is run effectively. We all enjoy visiting the school to offer our support, but to also see the learning taking place and the Ellingham School values in action.
We all have a shared commitment alongside the staff to support your children at the start of their school life to become successful learners and confident individuals, who enjoy learning, make progress and are able to live healthy and fulfilling lives. This is a commitment that we know parents and carers will share too and the school looks forward to working alongside you.
Kirsty Ruthven
Chair of Governors
Kirsty Ruthven joined the Governing Body as Chair in January 2025. She is an experienced primary school teacher, school leader and governor having worked in a range of schools. Kirsty now works the charity The Children’s Society and in her free time can often be seen walking her dog around Epsom and Chessington!
Could you be one of our Governors?
Ellingham Primary School is looking for new governors to join our friendly school in Chessington. We are seeking enthusiastic individuals with an interest in children’s education, who would like to contribute to their local community. We are ambitious for our school and would like someone who is keen to help our school and its pupils become the best they can be. You do not need experience in governance, although it is helpful if you are looking to Chair a committee, however we would welcome applications where you can offer the skills and experience below to strengthen our existing governing body:
education
finance
HR
risk management
marketing and communications skills
leadership and management skills
chairing or non-executive experience
experience of being in education in the past 10 years.
We are looking for volunteers who: can ask effective questions, think strategically, have excellent communication skills, can understand data, are adept at problem solving and can be a critical friend. As well as making a significant difference to the school, the role offers personal and professional satisfaction as well as opportunities to expand your skill set.
Please contact the Governance Professional clerk@elp.rbksch.org for further information or to express an interest in this role. Further information is also available at Governance for Schools.
Role of the Governing Body
The role of the governing body is a strategic one, its key functions are to:
Set the vision and strategic direction for Ellingham Primary School
Hold the Headteacher to account for the educational performance of pupils
Ensure financial resources are spent well
We are constituted of 10 individuals from different groups with an interest in the school:
2 parents
2 staff members
1 Local Authority nominated member
5 co-opted members
Co-opted members are recruited based on the skills that they offer to help the Governing Body carry out its functions e.g. Financial, Legal , HR, Education Management
The Full Governing Body meets 5 times per year.
The Governing Body also works in committees, where smaller groups focus on specific areas:
The Children & Achievement Committee monitors the academic attainment and progress of all pupils, and considers their personal development, behaviour and welfare.
The Resources & Finance Committee oversees the setting and management of the school budget, supports the school's HR strategy, and ensures health and safety and accessibility responsibilities are met.