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St Barbara Way,
Hilsea, Portsmouth, Hampshire, PO2 0UR Tel: 023 9269 4412 Fax: 023 9266 7134 Headteacher: Carole Roberts NPQH email us! |
The Governing Body
The governing body is responsible for the running of the school. Representatives from the governing body are present at parents meetings and other events and are always pleased to talk to parents. Members of the governing body can be contacted via the school office.
The following links will take you to information on the Portsmouth City Council Website:
Gatcombe Park Primary Governor Vacancies
Gatcombe Park Primary Governor List
Report from Lynne Gauntlett, LEA Governor, Governor of the Month for December 2006.
On 12th December I was delighted to have the chance to visit the school to sit in on the Dress Rehearsal of the Goldfinch and Kingfisher Nativity Play and the Barn Owl and Osprey Pantomime.
I thoroughly enjoyed both performances in which everyone participated so well. Everyone in the Nativity from innkeeper and wife, Mary and Joseph and kings - all were excellent!
The Pantomime was so professional everyone taking part so enthusiastic - I found the Wicked Witch quite scary! I was glad I had met Sam beforehand as I would not have recognised him in his 'cow' outfit!!
Another detail of my visit with which I was impressed was the Reception staffed by the 2 young male pupils. Carrying out the welcome routine with gusto, they politely asked me to wait and they would get someone to see me. All very impressive!! All in all I took away a very favourable impression of the school.
Following the reconstitution of the Governing Body an additional Parent Governor was appointed on Monday 20th February 2006. He is Mr. Martin Terry and he can be contacted via the school office.
Here are some of his experiences as a new Parent Governor so far:
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Becoming a School Governor was something I had not considered until quite recently. In fact I left school in 1979 vowing NEVER to set foot in a school again. However over the past 9 years I have seen my children attend Gatcombe Park School where they have always been happy, they obviously enjoy all aspects of school and the after-school activities on offer and this has changed my opinion. My wife told me about a Parent Governor vacancy that had arisen and after careful consideration I decided to apply. My application was successful and in February I attended my first meeting as Parent Governor. |
I was quite nervous on the night but I was welcomed by everyone at the meeting, they were all supportive and I soon felt at ease. It wasn't daunting at all and it was obvious that everyone there had the best interests of the school and the children at heart. The Governors have been very helpful. I have also found a lot of information on being a School Governor on the internet, there are local training courses and literature available and I am finding it a rewarding and worthwhile experience.
My best experience so far has been as Governor of the Month. I attended school for a day on Tuesday 23rd May and had the pleasure of sitting in on an assembly by the Deputy Headteacher, I attended a meeting to go through the replies to the Pupil Questionnaires sent out to the children a short while ago, I watched and enjoyed a tennis training session with the Reception class, observed a Year 6 literacy lesson with use of the interactive whiteboard, I watched the children play in the playground at playtime and at lunchtime - I even joined in! It was great to see the children being so active and enjoying the playground equipment to the full. I was really impressed with the enthusiasm and commitment of all the teaching and support staff - I even enjoyed having a school dinner - I ate mine with the Reception class - however being 6'4" I could have done with a bigger chair!
I would encourage anyone thinking of becoming a Governor to do so. I was worried that I would have to come from an academic background, or that as a Parent I would feel out of place at the meetings with the School Governors but I can honestly say that I don't feel out of place at all. I have been welcomed and supported by all the Governors. All you need is the enthusiasm and desire to do your best to ensure that Gatcombe Park Primary School stays a happy and caring environment for our children so that they enjoy the time they spend as Gatcombe Park pupils to the full.
If anyone would like more information about the role of a School Governor please do not hesitate to contact me or any of the School Governors.
