The local academy council are responsible for the strategic direction of our school. They have to make sure that all statutory obligations for pupils and staff are met.
At our school we have different types of governors:
FOUNDATION GOVERNORS, who are elected by the Parochial Church Council.
PARENT GOVERNORS, who are elected by parents and carers of pupils at the school.
STAFF GOVERNORS, who are elected by staff at the school.
LOCAL AUTHORITY GOVERNOR, who is nominated by North Yorkshire County Council.
CO-OPTED GOVERNORS are invited to become Governors by the Governing Body.
Our Local Academy Council
All Governors were appointed in accordance with our Instrument of Government

Nick Baird (chair/foundation)
My wife and I have lived in Roecliffe since August 2016 following our retirement from teaching. This was in the Primary range and , for the last 21 years, I was the head teacher of 3 different schools. We have 3 grown up children and so I hope that at least some of this experience, both as a parent and as a practitioner, can be of use to Roecliffe School.
I keep in touch with schools as a volunteer within the learning team at Ripon Museums Trust, both at the Court House and Work House and also as part of an Outreach Team.
I am passionate about sport, golf and try to keep fit generally. Travel, music and history are other interests and I am attempting to improve my French as we also spend time in France on a regular basis.
- Governor since: 22.11.2022 – 22.11.2026
- Attendance at Full GB Meetings during the last academic year:100%
- Business or pecuniary interests: NONE
- Governance Roles in other schools: NONE
- Relationships with school staff: NONE
Contact: nick.baird@roecliffeschool.co.uk

Lesley Briggs (Headteacher)
- Attendance at Full GB Meetings during the last academic year: 100%
- Business or pecuniary interests: NONE
- Governance Roles in other schools: NONE
- Relationships with school staff: NONE

Beth Lewis (Staff)
I joined the school as class 2 teacher in September 2021 and I am delighted to have joined the Governing body as staff governor. I am keen to support the development of the school to give the children the best possible start in life.
- Governor term: 01/09/2021-01/09/2025
- Attendance at Full GB Meetings during the last academic year: TBC
- Business or pecuniary interests: NONE
- Governance Roles in other schools: NONE
- Relationships with school staff: NONE

Stephen Jarvis (Community)
I have lived in the village for nearly 30 years during this time i have been involved with the pc and for the last 6 years have been a church warden at st mary`s church. I have been a governor for 12 years carrying out many roles. During this time have enjoyed seeing school flourish and the progression of the children through the school. I have been married for 18 years to elizabeth works full times as a hospital doctor and we have 4 children, our eldest now at the grammar school and we still have three children at roecliffe.
In my role as foundation governor i have strong links with church and school and work closely with vicar to ensure consistent christian ethos across school.
I have been chair of governors at roecliffe for over 5 years work closing with the headteacher to ensure the school development plan is delivered across the school, providing the best for all children.
- Governor term: 22.11.2022-22.11.2023
- Attendance at full gb meetings during the last academic year: 100%
- Business or pecuniary interests: none
- Governance roles in other schools: none
- Relationships with school staff: none

Rev Karen Gardiner (Foundation)
I am the Vicar of Roecliffe (along with Boroughbridge, Aldborough, Dunsforth and Minskip) and am delighted to be a Foundation Governor at the school. Outside theology, I have a background in music therapy and the creative arts, and am presently studying for a PhD in theology and childrens literature.
I bring 10 years of experience as a Church school governor in Hertfordshire, and value the opportunity to support the development of the Christian ethos throughout the school, community links, and creative enterprises, as well as being link governor for SEN from January
- Governor since:01.09.2019-31.08.2024
- Attendance at Full GB Meetings during the last academic year: N/A
- Business or pecuniary interests: NONE
- Governance Roles in other schools: NONE

Rachel Mackay (Parent)
My children currently attend Roecliffe after moving from another school in 2018. They have been both nurtured and challenged by the staff at the school and we enjoy being part of the school community. Being a school governor enables me to support and contribute to the work of the school in a range of ways.
I work part-time as a Special Needs Coordinator (SENCo) having taught across the primary age range, and I have an interest in phonics and reading, which I also teach outside my school role. I hold the National Award for Special Needs Coordination and other postgraduate certificates related to teaching. As something different, I enjoy tap dancing and teach an adult class! Dance and performing arts are aspects of the curriculum that are valued at Roecliffe, and I fully appreciate their inclusion in the children’s learning journeys.
- Governor term: 01.09.2020-31.08.2024
- Attendance at Full GB Meetings during the last academic year: N/A
- Business or pecuniary interests: NONE
- Governance Roles in other schools: NONE
- Relationships with school staff: NONE

Tom Ibbetson (Parent)
To follow
- Governor term: 27.09.2021 – 26.09.2025
- Attendance at Full GB Meetings during the last academic year: N/A
- Business or pecuniary interests: NONE
- Governance Roles in other schools: NONE
- Relationships with school staff: NONE
Governors who have stepped down during the last year:
Sue Ind (LA) 31.08.2021
Hannah Clarke (Staff) 01.09.2021
Steven Kowal (Co-Opted) 31.07.2022
James Scholes (Parent) 30.06.2023
Alex Lake (Parent) 12.03.2023