Governance

The Governing Board

The Governing Body plays a vital role in the leadership and strategic direction of Beeston Primary School. Governors work closely with the Headteacher and senior leadership team to ensure the school provides the best possible education for all pupils.

Governors are volunteers drawn from a range of backgrounds, including parents, staff and members of the local community. They bring valuable skills, experience and perspectives which help support and challenge the school to continue improving.

The Governing Body does not manage the day-to-day running of the school. This is the responsibility of the Headteacher and staff. Instead, governors focus on the strategic leadership of the school and hold school leaders to account.

The three key roles of the Governing Body are to:

Set the Strategic Direction

Governors work with the Headteacher to set the vision, ethos and long-term priorities for the school, ensuring that the school continues to improve and that pupils receive a high-quality education.

Hold Leaders to Account

Governors monitor the performance of the school by reviewing data, visiting the school and asking questions to ensure that pupils are making good progress and that the school is meeting its objectives.

Ensure Financial Accountability

Governors oversee the school’s finances to ensure that public money is spent effectively and that resources are used to support the best outcomes for pupils.

At Beeston Primary School, our governors are committed to supporting the school community and ensuring that every child has the opportunity to succeed.

Meet our Governing Body

 Mr Edensor (Headteacher)

I have worked in education for almost 30 years, teaching across the primary age range in six Leeds schools and now serving in my second headship. During this time, I have successfully led two schools through four Ofsted inspections, each one affirming our commitment to high standards and strong leadership.

In 2013, I became a Local Leader of education, a role that has enabled me to support and develop leadership capacity across a number of primary schools in Leeds. I have also previously served as Chair of Governors at a local primary school. providing me with valuable insight into effective governance and strategic school improvement from multiple viewpoints.

I currently sit on the REACH Panel, working in close partnership with this excellent alternative provision. This role allows me to contribute to securing the right support and pathways for some of the city's most vulnerable learners, ensuring decisions are made with fairness, dignity, and a strong commitment to inclusion.

I joined Beeston Primary School as Headteacher in 2015, and it remains by far my favourite school to lead. There is something truly special about the Beeston community. Our vibrant school is shaped by enthusiastic pupils, talented and dedicated staff, and wonderfully supportive families. The heartbeat of our school is a shared passion for learning, ambition, and the drive to achieve our very best.

Outside of school, I am a proud father of two children and the owner of one cat and two lively pet rats, who keep family life entertaining and full of character.

 Mr Scopes (Chair of Governors)

 Andrew Scopes is the Chair of Governors.

He lives locally and represents the area as an elected Councillor for the Beeston and Holbeck ward. He became a parent Governor when his daughter started at the school in 2012 and his younger children also attended Beeston Primary.

Andrew has a desire to ensure the school is the best it can be and is passionate about encouraging the love of learning!

Ms Hegarty (Vice Chair of Governors)

I joined the Governing Board in 2015, originally as a Co-opted Governor and more recently as a Parent Governor. 

Professionally, I am the Business Development Director for Robertson Construction supporting the Managing Director as part of the Senior Leadership Team and accountable for the delivery of the Company’s budget and the management of the business. Transferable skills from my professional career are proving to be beneficial in my role within the Governing Board. 

Of the roles I cover on the Governing Board, ensuring that Beeston Primary School has a child centred and co-ordinated approach to safeguarding is my top priority.

Mrs Tidey (Senior Deputy Head, Associate Governor)

I have been the Deputy Headteacher at Beeston Primary School since 2008 and have been instrumental in driving school improvement.

I have led the school through three 'Good' Ofsted Inspections as well as successfully supporting its expansion from a two- to a three-form entry school; there have been significant changes to the building and the staffing structure throughout this time but the heart of the school has remained strong and passionately focussed on the wonderful children and ensuring that they are safe, engaged and ready to enjoy and achieve. I love working at Beeston Primary School and I am always so proud of the children, staff and parents who make it an exciting and happy place to learn.

As a Local Leader of Education and Lead Moderator for Leeds Local Authority, I am also able to use my skills to support school improvement across the city of Leeds.

Outside of school, I am a Mum to two girls. Technology is changing and advancing at such a fast pace, it is certain that they will grow up in a very different world from the one which I grew up in. My hopes are that they develop the resilience, independence, collaboration skills and the Growth Mindset needed for a lifelong love of learning.

School forms the foundation and building blocks for the future. I know how important my role as part of the Leadership Team and Governing Body is in shaping the future of the children at Beeston Primary School and remain focussed on giving all children the very best start in life.

Mr Nicholson (Deputy Headteacher, Associate Governor)

I have worked at Beeston Primary School for over 15 years now.

When I first arrived, I taught Year 6 for several years and have since taught across school. I have played an instrumental part in leading Curriculum, Computing and English across the school and have worked closely with many key advisors across the Local Authority.

Prior to Beeston Primary, I worked for Kirklees Council and taught Years 3, 4 and 5 and lead PE across the whole school – I have absolutely loved teaching all of these year groups and believe that these experiences have provided me with excellent foundations in order to lead and drive whole school improvement.

I am currently in my fifth year as Deputy Headteacher and was Assistant Headteacher in KS1 and KS2 for a number of years prior to this. I have built strong relationships with many of our families, having taught many of your children over this time. I believe that Beeston Primary supports children to be wholly rounded individuals, ready to be life-long learners and to make a positive difference in an ever-changing world.

I strongly believe that school is the opportunity for children to discover and unlock hidden talents and I am looking forward to seeing your children flourish here, focussed on giving all children the very best start in life.

Miss Atherton (Staff Governor)

As a staff Governor, I bring over a decade of teaching experience, primarily at Beeston Primary School, where I have played a key role in driving high standards in teaching and learning.

I have led Science and Design & Technology across the school, using my subject expertise to strengthen curriculum provision and improve outcomes for pupils. In addition to my subject leadership roles, I am an ECT (Early Career Teacher) Mentor and Department Lead, supporting teachers in developing strong, confident practice. Through my work as a Department Lead, I now have experience of Leading Year 1 through to Year 6. I have contributed to whole-school improvement and remain committed to ensuring that every child receives the highest quality education.

Outside of school, I am a mum to my one-year old daughter, which further strengthens my commitment to fostering a nurturing, high-quality learning environment for all children.

Ms Watson (Parent Governor)

I am a parent governor with one child at Beeston Primary School - my other children are now at High School. I'm also a mature Law student with a keen interest in Education Law.

After many years of education and raising children, including kinship and SEND children, I have much experience of the trials and triumphs of the education system from the perspective of a parent/carer and a student.

I believe that every child deserves to learn in an engaging, supportive and impartial environment that encourages resilience and curiosity.

Co-opted Governors

Mrs Rose

My first connection with Beeston Primary School was via a volunteering programme which I arranged through my employer. This was a reading programme supporting Year 1 and Year 2 pupils. I was so impressed by the school’s culture and ethos that I continued to volunteer on my non-working day and ultimately, this led me to a governing role. 

I am a Co-opted governor with monitoring responsibility for SEND. This entails me liaising with the SEN co-ordinator and her team, and reporting back findings to the full governing board. Although I am not employed within the educational sector, my varied skillset has evolved from 34 years working within the banking sector, and is proving useful, enriching the school's governing board with a diverse set of skills, backgrounds and views.

The staff at the school are exceptional, committed professionals, eager to ensure all pupils thrive and achieve to the best of their ability which is why I am delighted to support the school in a governing capacity. 

Mrs Jones

I am a HR Business Partner currently working for Leeds Community Health Trust supporting Children’s Business Unit.

I am interested to know and understand how the work  of community health supports children and families. Prior to my current position I worked for over 30 years for Leeds City Council, latterly providing HR services within schools across the city.

My HR experience developed my interest in becoming a school governor, using my skills and knowledge to support the Headteacher and his team to deliver the best outcomes for all children.

I have specific Governor responsibility for Formal Complaints and Data Protection within school. 

Mr Bell

I am a local resident and former pupil of Beeston Primary School.

My career has been in the information technology sector, defining solutions in the financial services sector. I currently work for a Leeds based charity that helps people with problem debt. I recognise Beeston Primary School as a tremendously valuable part of the fabric of our community.

I have joined the governing board as a co-opted member in the hope that I can provide some support and assistance to the school as it strives to deliver successful outcomes for our children. 

Rev. Cockburn

I am Reverend June Cockburn. I am the Vicar at the Local Church - St Mary the Virgin in Beeston. I have been in post since January 2025.

Before training to be a Priest, I was a primary school teacher for 25 years. I worked mainly in Years 5 and 6 for most of my teaching career and specialised in Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening in primary school children. I taught SATs Booster Groups in Reading, Writing and Spelling, Punctuation (SPaG) for many years, and pupils in my care always made good progress. I was also trained as a Reading recovery/Every Child a Reader (ECaR) specialist teacher.

I believe children should be taught to become independent learners and teaching and learning should be enjoyable - even if it is hard at times. My mantra regarding children's learning is: "If a child can, they must."

I have served as a Governor in schools across Bradford and Leeds and Huddersfield over the years, covering monitoring responsibilities in Community Engagement and Reading and Writing. 

Mrs Baxter

I am a Co-opted Governor, joining the Governing Board in 2025.

I have two grandchildren who attend Beeston Primary School, one in Year 6 and one in Early Years. I’ve always been impressed with the school whenever I’ve attended events of a varying nature over the years. The ethos of the school is fabulous, the staff are caring and highly professional, committed to the wellbeing and academic progress of their pupils. Hence, I am delighted to have this opportunity to support the school in my capacity as a governor.

I am currently semi-retired and work as an academic tutor for English and English Literature. Previously, I worked in secondary education as an English teacher for over 30 years. During that time, I was head of department in two schools for over ten years and Assistant Headteacher for fourteen years. I had a wide range of responsibilities as a Senior Leader but most significantly I led on Teaching and Learning and Literacy across the curriculum, my passions. I was also responsible for Primary Transition on curriculum matters for a number of years.

Hence, I have a wealth of experience and expertise with regard to leadership and monitoring in the quest to secure school improvement. I am hoping that I will have much to offer Beeston Primary School as a member of the Governing body in terms of my skills set, my energies and my enthusiasm.

I am passionate about child-centred education with inclusivity as a high priority. I believe strongly that every young person has the right to receive a fully rounded educational experience of the highest quality.

Mrs Callaghan

I am a Co-opted Governor, having recently joined the Governing Board, and I serve on the Teaching and Learning Committee.

I live in East Leeds and have two children, which strengthens my commitment to supporting high-quality education in our local community. Having previously taught at Beeston Primary School, I know the school's strong values, high expectations, and dedication to every child's progress, and I am pleased to support this work as a Governor.

I have over fifteen years of experience in Primary Education, with leadership roles in Maths, Assessment, Pupil Premium, Science, Geography and Eco Initiatives. My professional background includes curriculum development, assessment, staff training, and reviewing teaching practice - areas  central to raising standards and improving outcomes.

During my time at Beeston Primary School, I also supported the PTA, helping to coordinate events and strengthen links between staff, parents, and the wider school community. Additionally, I led the school’s sustainability work, contributing to its Eco Schools Award with Distinction. Alongside leadership training, including the NPQSL, I bring a clear understanding of how high-quality teaching and effective monitoring support school improvement.

I am passionate about inclusive, child-centred education and ensuring that all pupils access a broad, ambitious curriculum. As part of the Teaching and Learning Committee, I look forward to contributing my experience, professionalism, and commitment to supporting excellent teaching across the school.

 Meeting Attendance 

 

Committees 

 Governing Body 

Chair: Andrew Scopes (Co-opted Governor)

Vice Chair: Lindsey Hegarty (Parent Governor)

• Headteacher
• One Local Authority (LA) governor (recommended by the LA and appointed by the governing body)
• Two parent governors formally elected through a ballot of parents.
• Seven co-opted governors, nominated and appointed by the governing body
• One staff governor formally elected by staff employed at school
• Two partnership governors from the local community
• Any number of associate members as required to bring specific skills into the governing body (they are not governors but appointed by the governing body)

 

Resources Committee

This committee helps to ensure that the school is run efficiently and that the budget is used wisely. They look after such things as staffing, health and safety and the provision of all the things needed to support learning. Members of the committee may help to interview new staff and help to conduct an annual health and safety check. They work with the headteacher to resolve any staff disciplinary issues.

Our Resources Committee includes:

• Andrew Scopes (Chair) (Co-opted Governor)
• Maureen Jones (Co-opted Governor)
• Lindsey Hegarty (Parent Governor)
• Richard Bell (Co-opted Governor)
• Nicholas Edensor (Headteacher)
• Beth Tidey (Associate Member)
• Gemma Taylor (Associate Member)
• Jess Oxley (Associate Member)
• Sean Nicholson (Associate Member)

 

Teaching and Learning Committee

This committee ensures that standards of teaching and learning are as high as possible by taking an overview of performance management. They look at what is taught in lessons, how it is taught and how all pupils are helped to achieve the best they can, whatever barriers there might be to their learning. They meet with subject leaders to find out about developments in the curriculum and how it is delivered. They also visit school to see what is happening in classrooms.

Our Teaching and Learning Committee includes:

• Kate Baxter (Chair) (Co-opted Governor)
• Sean Nicholson (Associate Member)
• Nicholas Edensor (Headteacher)
• Beth Tidey (Associate Member)
• Meghan Atherton (Staff Governor)
• Lisa Callaghan (Co-opted Governor)

 

Pupil Support Committee

 

This committee is responsible for all the things that happen in school to ensure that pupils are safe, happy and developing as they should. The committee takes an overview of such things as attendance and punctuality, safeguarding and equality. Members of this committee sometimes meet with parents to support improvements in behaviour or attendance. One member of the committee meets regularly with school council.

Our Pupil Support Committee includes:

• Lindsey Hegarty (Chair) (Parent Governor)
• Beth Tidey (Associate Member)
• Keely Rose (Co-opted Governor)
• Sean Nicholson (Associate Member)
• Sasha Watson (Parent Governor)
• June Cockburn (Co-opted Governor)

Governing Board Strategic Meetings

 

 

 Governors Roles and Responsibilities

Chair and Vice Chair

 

Name	Category	Committees Served	Date Appointed & Term of Office	Relevant Business/Personal Interest	Any Other Educational Establishments Governed
Andrew Scopes	Chair Co-opted Governor	Resources Committee, Strategic Committee, Performance Management and Pay Committee, Sports Premium, Pupil Premium Governor.	Oct 2012– 28	Elected Councillor Board of Trustees for Leeds United Foundation	Governor at Cockburn Academy
Lindsey Hegarty	Vice Chair Parent Governor	Resources Committee, Pupil Support Committee, Child Protection/Safeguarding, Children Looked After, Health and Safety, Pay Appeals, Relationships and Sex Education Governor.	Jun 2015 - 27	Nothing to declare
Helen Clark	Clerk		June 2024 - 28	Nothing to declare

 

Co-opted Governors

 

Name	Category	Committees Served	Date Appointed & Term of Office	Relevant Business/Personal Interest	Any Other Educational Establishments Governed
Maureen Jones	Co-opted Governor	Resources Committee, Performance Management and Pay Committee, British Values and Equality,  Formal Complaints Governor.	May 2017 - 29	Nothing to declare
Keely Rose	Co-opted Governor	Pupil Support Committee, Pay Appeals Committee, Special Educational Needs, Relationships and Sex Education Governor.	May 2019 - 27	Nothing to declare
Richard Bell	Co-opted Governor	Resources Committee, Data Protection, Website Governor.	Nov 2023 - 27	Nothing to declare
Rev. June Cockburn	Co-opted Governor	Pupil Support Committee, English: Writing, Relationships and Sex Education Governor.	Jan 2025 - 29	Nothing to declare
Kate Baxter	Co-opted Governor	Teaching and Learning Committee, Early Years, English: Reading Governor.	Nov 2025 - 29	Nothing to declare
Lisa Callaghan	Co-opted Governor	Teaching and Learning Committee, Maths, Early Career Teacher Governor.	Nov 2025 - 29	Nothing to declare

 

Parent Governors

 

Name	Category	Committees Served	Date Appointed & Term of Office	Relevant Business/Personal Interest	Any Other Educational Establishments Governed
Sasha Watson	Parent Governor	Pupil Support Committee, Attendance and Behaviour, Relationships and Sex Education Governor.	Nov 2023- 27	Nothing to declare

Staff Governors 

 

Name	Category	Committees Served	Date Appointed & Term of Office	Relevant Business/Personal Interest	Any Other Educational Establishments Governed
Nicholas Edensor	Head teacher	Resources Committee, Teaching and Learning Committee, Strategic Committee.	September 2015 -	Nothing to declare
Meghan Atherton	Staff Governor	Teaching and Learning Committee.	Oct 2022- Oct 26	Nothing to declare
Beth Tidey	Associate Member (Voting Rights)	Resources Committee, Pupil Support Committee, Teaching and Learning Committee, Governor Training, Relationships and Sex Education.	July 2015 -	Nothing to declare
Sean Nicholson	Associate Member (Voting Rights)	Resources Committee, Pupil Support Committee, Teaching Committee, Relationships and Sex Education.	July 2019 -	Nothing to declare	Governor for Safeguarding at Reach (AIP) Cockburn Academy
Sue Knowles	Associate Member (No Voting Rights)			Nothing to declare
Lianne Jackson	Associate Member (No Voting Rights)			Nothing to declare	Parent Governor at Newton Hill Community School, Wakefield
Ruth McAvoy	Associate Member (No Voting Rights)			Nothing to declare
Gemma Taylor	Associate Member (No Voting Rights)	Resources Committee.		Nothing to declare
Jess Oxley	Associate Member (No Voting Rights)	Resources Committee.		Nothing to declare

 

 

No Longer Serving

 

Name	Category	Committees Served	Date Appointed & Term of Office	Relevant Business/Personal Interest	Any Other Educational Establishments Governed
Sophie Bevan	Clerk		Oct 2021-Mar 22
Rachael Andrews	Co-opted Governor	Pupil Support Committee, Relationships and Sex Education, Attendance and Behaviour Governor.	Jul 2021-Nov 22	Undertaking MSc Corporate Governance
Zarif Karimli	Co-opted Governor	Pupil Support Committee, Relationships and Sex Education, Early Years, Pupil Voice Governor.	July 2021-July 22
Luke Cosford	Staff Governor	Teaching and Learning Committee.	Sep 2021- Jul 22
Jenny Martin	Co-opted Governor	Teaching and Learning Committee, English/Reading Governor.	Feb 2022- Oct 24
Shaun Waldron	Associate Member (No Voting Rights)	Resources Committee.
Dr. Samiya Ambreen	Co-opted Governor	Pupil Support Committee, Relationships and Sex Education, Pupil Voice, Early Years Governor.	Nov 2019- Jun 25
Lorenzo Molinari	Co-opted Governor	Teaching and Learning Committee, Website Governor.	Jun 2022- Sep 25	Technology Consultant, 'Big Four'
Ashley Lund	Co-opted Governor	Teaching and Learning Committee, Sports Premium, Curriculum Governor, Early Career Teachers Governor.	Jul 2019- Oct 25