Meet our Governors

At Chaucer Infant and Nursery School, we have a team of governors that work as volunteers to support the school. Their role is to develop a vision and strategy for the school; oversee financial performance and make sure that money is well spent; hold the headteacher to account for the educational performance of the school and to engage with young people, staff, parents and the wider school community to understand their views. 

Governors are expected to attend 6 Local Governing Team (LGT) meetings each year for approximately 2 hours per meeting. During these meetings governors look at a wide range of information to monitor how well the school is performing. Detailed reports including safeguarding, data and finance are discussed at these meetings, as well as a more general headteachers report.

Governor Support

To support the work that goes on, governors are encouraged to participate in school visits twice a year for approximately an hour. Governors observe what is happening in school, look at the school environment and talk to the young people about their school.

New Governors

If an individual is interested in being a member on our LGT they would meet with their chair and headteacher and discuss what they could bring to the team. Following the recruitment process they would then be invited to attend the LGT meeting where they wouldbe appointed. Governors are appointed for a 4-year term of office. Once appointed governors receive an induction and training for the role.

Our Local Governing Team

We are proud to have a committed team that is made up of individuals with a range of backgrounds and experience.

For more information, please contact the Governance Professional, Louise Rowland at l.rowland@embarkfed.org.uk

Role Name Appointed by/Elected by Term of office Business interests Relationships with other governors/staff
Chair of Governors Jason Smith Appointed by GB 01/09/2025 - 31/08/2029 None Yes
Vice-chair of Governors Wendy Disley Appointed by GB 01/09/2025 - 31/08/2029 None N/A
Headteacher Tiffany Smith By virtue of office None N/A
Interim Head of School Lisa Nappin By virtue of office None N/A
Staff Governor (Teaching) Gaynor Topley Staff 15/10/2025 - 14/10/2029 None N/A
Co-opted Governor Katie Smith GB 01/09/2025 - 31/08/2029 None N/A
Co-opted Governor Councilor James Dawson GB 01/09/2025 - 31/08/2029 None N/A
Parent Governor Laura Muirhead GB 01/09/2025 - 31/08/2029 None N/A

LGT Attendance 25-26

LGT Meeting - School Name - 25-26 9/17/2025 10/15/2025 1/7/2026
Jason Smith (Chair) Attended Attended Attended
Wendy Disley Attended Attended Attended
Katie Smith Attended Apologies Attended
Councilor James Dawson Apologies Attended Apologies
Laura Muirhead Attended Attended Attended
Hayley Shelton Attended Attended Attended
Kirsten O'Ryan N/A N/A Attended
Adam Walters N/A N/A Attended
Gaynor Topley (staff) N/A Attended Attended