The Governing Body 

Overview 

Longmeadow Primary School has a maximum of eleven governors. Some governors are parents of children at the school, some are members of the local community and some are members of staff. They key factor all governors have in common is that we all care about Longmeadow and the individuals and families who make up our community. Currently Longmeadow has a committed team of 11 governors who play an important role in the leadership, performance, development and everyday life of the school. As governors, we are unpaid volunteers and are either elected or appointed to serve a four-year term of office. Our membership consists of: 

2 parent governors  

1 Local Authority (LA) governor (appointed by the LA, but candidates can be suggested by the governing body) 

1 staff governor (elected by the school staff) 

1 Headteacher 

6 Co-opted governors (appointed by agreement of the whole governing body) (2 vacancies) 

All of our governors have equal rights to participate in the work of the governing body and to state individual views and are very much encouraged to do so, but we work as a team and are bound by the collective decisions of the team. Governors may serve for more than one term of office if they wish to nominate themselves again (for parents or members of staff), or are invited to do so by the full governing body (for the co-opted and LA roles). 

Governors are required to comply with statutory safeguarding regulations and are only eligible to serve on our governing body with clearance from the Disclosure and Barring Service. 

More information on the role of a school governor can be found on the Herts Direct website:http://www.hertsdirect.org/services/edlearn/getinvolved/governors/ 

We support the school, the children, staff and parents to make this a school of choice. 

What is required to become a school governor at Longmeadow Primary School? 

As individuals we each have different reasons for becoming a governor, we come from a variety of backgrounds, and between us bring a wide range of useful skills, experience and expertise to the governing body. It is not necessary to be an expert on educational matters to become a school governor, although it is vital to seek to understand fully the role and responsibilities involved to be able to support the school effectively and enable it to continue to develop and flourish. Enthusiasm, commitment and being a good team player are the key underlying personal qualities needed. It is expected that both new and experienced governors take full advantage of the wide range of training opportunities and information available. A record is kept of all training undertaken. 

Underpinning all of this, governors at Longmeadow Primary School fully respect the requirement to act in the best interests of the school at all times, being open and transparent, operating with integrity and honesty. At the start of each academic year, all governors sign the Code of Conduct, and complete the Declaration of Interests in which any business or pecuniary interests are declared, details of any other educational establishments they govern, together with any close links or relationships between governors and members of the school staff including spouses, partners and relatives. In addition, it is routine practice for any conflicts of interests to be declared if and when they arise during any governor discussions or meetings. Governors are also very aware of all e-safety issues; in addition to ensuring that all appropriate guidelines, policies and procedures are in place, each governor also signs the school’s ICT Acceptable Use Agreement. All Governors have read and are very aware of the DFE Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) Policy. 

All parties have declared interests, including where they have none. All interests that exist have been recorded on the register. 

Jo-Ann Staniforth: Works for a company that the school might engage the services of, EICR (Electrical Installation Conditions Report), namely the Fixed Wire Report and the EL Emergency Light Testing.  

What is our role?

We work in partnership with the Headteacher, who is our principal professional advisor, to ensure that the best possible all-round education is being provided for all the children in a high quality learning environment, making the most effective use of the resources available to the school and in compliance with all statutory regulations and procedures. Whereas the day-to-day management and teaching and learning are the responsibility of the Headteacher supported by his/her senior leadership team, the governors have a strategic role holding the school to account for overall standards and acting as “critical friends” by offering encouragement, guidance and support. We measure achievements against targets, and also provide honest and candid feedback  by challenging constructively. 

How do we work? 

The role of school governor does involve a significant commitment, but our work is planned in a structured way to recognise and accommodate other work and personal commitments. The full governing body has at least 3 formal evening meetings during the school year, and an additional planning meeting at the start of September/October. Minutes of the meetings are available. Please contact the clerk. 

Longmeadow governors follow the ‘Circle Model’ having moved to this approach in February 2026. The Circle Model is a focused and streamlined approach where the monitoring of specific areas is assigned to individual or pairs of governors, instead of committees. This approach still allows for working parties to be established to address specific issues as required. 

Governors communicate with parents via the school weekly newsletter on a variety of issues, including notification of vacancies on the governing body. We also meet informally with parents at a variety of school events throughout the school year. 

There is a very high level of attendance by governors at Governing Body meetings. Apologies are required when attendance at a meeting is not possible and any non-attendance is always considered by governors and recorded in the minutes. There have been no occasions where meetings have not been quorate and no unacceptably low levels of attendance or commitment by any governor. 

All full governing body Minutes are available to read upon request to the our clerk. 

This year, our full governing body will be meeting on the following dates: 

16 October 2025 

27 November 2025 

10 March 2026 

26 May 2026 

18 June 2026 

Please find below details of how our current governing body is structured, including the names, categories, attendance, responsibilities and terms of appointment for each governor. 

Governing Body Profile 2025/26 

Jo-Ann Staniforth, Parent Governor 

First appointed 23/5/2024; Current term of office expires 22/5/2028 

Responsibilities: Chair of Governors, Disadvantaged pupils link, Safeguarding link 

Committees: Curriculum & Attainment, Finance & Resources 

I am a parent to 3 and a grandmother to 7, one of whom attends this school.  When my children were young, I helped in the classrooms with reading and mathematical games.  My occupation is an office manager, although I am a lady with many professional attributes. I enjoy my family and love doing activities with the children, watching them grow and learn.  I am open-minded, confident, passionate, fair, caring and my morals and values will be an asset to this school.  I believe in Longmeadow Primary School. 

Meeting attendance 2024/25: FGB 5/5, F&R 3/3 

Meeting attendance 2025/26: FGB 2/2, F&R 1/1, C&A 2/2 

 

Lucy Canney, Parent Governor 

First appointed 23/5/2024; Current term of office expires 22/5/2028 

Responsibilities: Vice Chair of Governors, Attendance & Behaviour link 

Committees: Finance & Resources (Chair), Curriculum & Attainment  

I work as the operations and facilities manager at The Nucleus (a life science facility in town) which develops CAR T cell therapy for patients with cancers. I ensure the building is fully compliant and runs smoothly. This is something I am incredibly proud to be a part of. I have worked in this industry for over a decade and have a passion for Health and Safety and compliant related issues (boring I know).     

This is my second time as parent at Longmeadow. I’ve been gone for a while and have seen the changes and look forward to working towards making Longmeadow an outstanding school, one where all our children thrive. In my limited spare time, I enjoy reading and working on the PTA planning events and bringing an injection of fun and community back to the school. 

Meeting attendance 2024/25: FGB 5/5, F&R 2/3, C&A 3/3 

Meeting attendance 2025/26: FGB 2/2, F&R 1/1, C&A 2/2 

 

Neil Houlihan, Local Authority Governor 

First appointed 24/4/2025; Current term of office expires 23/4/2029 

Responsibilities: SEND link 

Committees: Curriculum & Attainment  

Meeting attendance 2024/25: FGB 2/2, C&A 0/1 

Meeting attendance 2025/26: FGB 2/2, C&A 1/2 

 

Tanya Goddard, Staff Governor, Chair of Governors 

First appointed 6/5/2024; Current term of office expires 5/5/2028 

Responsibilities: Attendance & Behaviour link, Governor Development link, ICT/Website/e-Safety link 

Committees: Curriculum & Attainment (Chair), Finance & Resources  

I have been a teaching assistant at Longmeadow since 2007. I'm also a member of the school's 'Wellbeing Team'. I love supporting our children to have a positive school learning experience. When I'm not at work I enjoy meditating, watching films at the cinema and spending time with my two grown-up sons. I wanted to become a staff governor at Longmeadow as I feel it is an additional way I can support the children and staff. 

Meeting attendance 2024/25: FGB 5/5, F&R 0/3, C&A 2/3 

Meeting attendance 2025/26: FGB 2/2, F&R 1/1, C&A 2/2 

 

Linda Friis, Co-opted Governor 

First appointed 7/10/2024; Current term of office expires 6/10/2028 

Responsibilities:  

Committees: Finance & Resources  

I moved to Stevenage in 1984 and my three daughters were educated locally. They now live elsewhere in England and I have six grandchildren. After graduating, I qualified as a solicitor and ran my own practice in the Old Town until retirement. Since then, my current interests and hobbies have included being a member of the Stevenage Lytton Players where I have acted in, and directed, many productions and served as secretary and treasurer. 

I have always felt that children should be shown that education can be exciting and fun and that school should be a welcoming and inspiring place during their time there. 

I hope that, as a governor, I can use my time and experience to get to know and contribute to life at Longmeadow. 

Meeting attendance 2024/25: FGB 5/5, F&R 3/3 

Meeting attendance 2025/26: FGB 2/2, F&R 1/1 

 

Michelle Gardner, Co-opted Governor 

First appointed 16/10/2025; Current term of office expires 15/10/2029 

Responsibilities:  

Committees: Curriculum & Attainment, Finance & Resources 

I am Michelle Gardner and I have lived in Stevenage for over 50 years.  In the past I have worked as a secretary at a large corporation in industry, then as a primary school teacher at both Burydale and Longmeadow schools here in Stevenage.  I then became a local councillor and had the opportunity to get involved in numerous community run projects.  I also took on the role of school governor in a local primary and secondary school.  I have always been interested in education and how it shapes our children, community and our world, with a particular interest in equality and diversity and SEND issues.  I believe all children have a right to equity and inclusivity in education.   

 

I enjoy reading, cooking, listening to music, visiting museums, travel and spending time with my daughter Natalie.   

 

Now that I have retired, I am ready to be a part of a team in a supporting role as a governor at Longmeadow Primary School and look forward to the year ahead. 

 

Meeting attendance 2025/26: FGB 2/2, F&R 1/1, C&A 2/2 

 

Sharon Lewis, Co-opted Governor 

First appointed 16/10/2025; Current term of office expires 31/8/2028 

Responsibilities:  

Committees: Finance & Resources  

Meeting attendance 2025/26: FGB 0/2, F&R 0/1 

 

Darren Lovelock, Co-opted Governor 

First appointed 1/9/2016; Current term of office expires 31/8/2028 

Responsibilities: Health & Safety link, GDPR link 

Committees: Finance & Resources 

I work for a large Retail Bank as a Technology Transformation Manager. My role looks at what technology can be deployed or improved to help customers and colleagues. I own the end-to-end process from idea to delivery. I have scale leadership experience from my time as a Branch Manager. I have been a governor since 2010 and is the current lead on Health and Safety as well as the lead for GDPR. My outside interests include running, football and music. 

Meeting attendance 2024/25: FGB 5/5, F&R 3/3 

Meeting attendance 2025/26: FGB 2/2, F&R 0/1 

 

Governors who have stepped down in the last 12 months: 

Ania Moissey Co-opted Governor 

First appointed 8/4/2024 Current term expired 19/11/25 

FGB Meeting attendance 2024/25: 2/5 

C&A Meeting attendance 2024/25: 1/3 

 

Laura Wilkinson Co-opted Governor 

First appointed 7/10/2024 Current term expired 29/8/25 

FGB Meeting attendance 2024/25: 4/5 

C&A Meeting attendance 2024/25: 3/3 

Longmeadow governing body also benefits from the expertise of Observer and Deputy Headteacher Bronwyn Janes who attends Governing Body meetings and Committee meetings as and when appropriate. 

How to contact the governing body 

If you wish to contact the governors or would just like to find out more about the work of the governing body, please do so via the school office by telephone or email to the Clerk sscott-henson@longmeadow.herts.sch.uk or the Chair of Governors:  jstaniforth@longmeadow.herts.sch.uk