Local Governing Body

Meadowside has been part of Elevate Multi Academy Trust from the outset and is happy to be part of the educational vision of the Trust, whilst retaining their own strong identity.  The Trustees have allowed its Academies to retain the same composition for their local governing bodies, which is set out below. 

The three core functions of the local governing board are:

To ensure clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction;

To hold the head teacher to account for the educational performance of the Academy and its children;

To oversee the financial performance of the Academy and make sure its money is well spent.

 And to monitor the Ofsted Framework priorities of intent, implementation, impact, behaviour & attitudes, personal development and leadership & management.

Responsibilities:

Together, the Governors are responsible for:

• Setting aims and targets for the Academy and checking the Academy’s progress towards attaining these.

• Monitoring how well the Academy’s policies and plans are working.

• Accounting for the performance of the Academy and the Local Governing Body.

• Working with the Head teacher to make sure that teaching at the Academy is effective and good quality and the children are making the best possible progress.

• Taking general responsibility for the Academy and its budget.

• Challenging and supporting the senior management team and taking opportunities to show interest in and appreciation of staff and children.

• Promoting the interests of the Academy and its children in the wider community.

 Types of Governors 

There are several different types of Governor:

• Parent Governor

  Elected from parents at the Academy by parents at the Academy.

• Staff Governor

  Elected from staff at the Academy by staff at the Academy.

• Co-opted Governors

  Appointed by members of the Local Governing Body. They are intended to be representative of the local community and may add particular kinds of expertise.

   

 Chair of Governors: Jean Carter

 Contact: cofg@meadowsideacademy.org  or

Meadowside Academy, Halfpenny lane, Knaresborough, North Yorkshire, HG5 0SL

Rebecca Maiden: Head teacher

Rebecca was born in Manchester and lived and studied in the City until she moved to Yorkshire in 2006. She attended Manchester University and completed a BSc in Psychology then later a PGCE in Primary Education at Manchester Metropolitan University. Rebecca moved to Yorkshire in 2006 after taking a gap year to travel around the world.  

Rebecca began teaching in Mannigham, Bradford and during this time she completed an MA in Special Educational Needs at Leeds University. Rebecca then moved to Harrogate and began teaching at Meadowside as well as taking on a Senior Leadership role. She became an SLE for the North Star Teaching School Alliance and has worked with other schools to support their school development priorities as well as providing training across the Alliance. 

Alongside teaching at Meadowside, Rebecca was the SENDCo for many years then became the Associate Headteacher, whilst studying for an NPQH. In 2019, Rebecca became the substantive Headteacher at Meadowside and has since continued to develop further, with the ILM Coaching qualification. 

Rebecca works closely with other schools in Elevate to support collaboration and continue to develop improvement and research in education.

Helen Corkhill: Staff Governor

Having worked at Meadowside since 2011, Helen feels very privileged to have been part of such a dedicated team who work tirelessly to bring about changes for the benefit of all.  Helen previously worked as an SLE (Senior Leader in Education) for Elevate, where she worked to support other schools in the development of Outstanding practices in Key Stage 2 and in Mathematics. 

On securing the role of Assistant Head teacher, Helen has remained focused on in-school development as she leads on all Pastoral aspects of school, Pupil Premium and Disadvantaged, along with teaching full-time in Year 5. Helen is extremely proud to be able to lead her Meadowside family in her role as all stakeholders are nurtured in the development and growth of their curiosity, courage and kindness. 

Jean Carter: Co- Opted Governor and Chair of Governors

I am a local Knaresborough resident and am a proud community member and supporter.  As a graduate I entered the teaching profession and enjoyed a long career in Secondary Education within many roles, including Headteacher.  In my early career I also had experience in Primary and Middle schools.  After retirement I worked in the charity sector in a variety of management roles and latterly as a Senior Business Development Manager.

Most importantly I am a very proud mother of three adult children and the very proudest Grandma.

Whilst I can give experience drawn from a wide working background, I hope to bring to Meadowside Academy a real passion for the children in school and their experience of learning.  I believe a good school should equip children for a lifelong learning journey that will prepare them for a healthy, happy and prosperous future life.  My life has been so enriched by working with children, being with children and helping them on their journey.
 
I hope to continue this at Meadowside Academy.

John Hutchinson: Co Opted Governor

John has worked in several business areas in Yorkshire and the Northeast - a National Utility Company, Unitary Authority, Housing Association and currently works in the Charitable sector.  He  has several Business and ILM qualifications and experience as a business mentor working through Businesslink for small and medium enterprises employing up to 250 staff.   John is currently the Chair of both his local Area Partnership and Parish Council and lives near Leyburn in Wensleydale.

Malcolm Gardiner: Co-Opted Governor

Malcolm is a qualified accountant who has held a number of high profile positions in industry and commerce. He relocated to North Yorkshire in 2016 with his wife from Peterborough to be near his two daughters who live in Harrogate and Knaresborough.  In addition to being a governor, Malcolm plays an active part in the running of Friends of Meadowside.

Barry Blake: Co-Opted Governor

Barry, now retired, had a career in two parts. For the first part he was in sales and marketing - in construction, and then energy (coal, oil and gas). The second part was as a University Lecturer, lecturing in Marketing, Finance, Entrepreneurship and Creative Thinking. He was also Course Director for a distance learning online Master’s Degree with a cohort of students from around the world. 

When LMS (Local Management of Schools) was introduced, Barry was a parent governor for two years at Aspin Park School which was attended by his two daughters.

Barry has an HND in Business Studies, an MBA from the University of Leeds, the Diploma in Marketing, and a C&G Certificate in Further Education Teaching. He is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Marketing.

Barry strongly feels, “early years education” sets the foundation for lifelong behaviour and health, it helps children to get along with others and cope with daily stresses and challenges. As a Governor he hopes to contribute to these objectives, with the future of his own grandchildren very much in mind.

His interests include: jazz, drumming, golf, sailing, food science, walking the dog, volunteering for The Prince’s Trust and a charity called Dementia Forward.

Jo Crouse: Parent Governor

Jo is one of two parent governors at Meadowside Academy, having taken on the role in September 2019. She lives in Knaresborough, having moved back to Yorkshire from London in 2014 with her husband and child. She works as a solicitor in Leeds at a large commercial law firm. When she is not in the office or running her child around to their various activities,  she likes to play golf, walk her dog, Betsy, and cook.

 Jo wanted to take the opportunity to stand as a parent governor so that she could better understand how the Academy is run and ensure that the parents’ views continue to be heard. Jo strongly believes that the early school years should be a positive experience and that they have a huge influence on the development of our children. She is looking forward to playing an active part in helping the staff at Meadowside achieve that goal.

Clerk to the LGB: Dianne Mousley

Resignations: 

Sophie Smith 01.08.2022

Grant Woodvine 16.03.2022

Tessa Beaumont Co-opted 25.09.18 to 25.09.2022

Sam Turner Chair of Governors 22.01.2022

Keri Standen Co opted 29.09.2020

Dan Styles Associate Member 

Governor Attendance: 

Governor Attendance 2021-2022

Governor Attendance 2020-2021

Governor Attendance 2019-2020

Governor Attendance 2018-2019

Governor Attendance 2017-2018