Our Governance Structure

Our school is part of Yorkshire Learning Trust. The Trust can be contacted at Yorkshire Learning Trust, Rose Cottage, Toulston, Tadcaster LS24 9NB; email: enquiries@ylt.org.uk; phone: 01937 538538.

Within Yorkshire Trust, each school has a Local Governing Committee (LGC) that supports the work of the school and the Trust. The LGC has certain delegated authority to oversee the running of the school under the Scheme of Delegation [RG1] as defined by our Board of Trustees.

Further information about our governance structure, including details of our Trustees and Members, is available via the Yorkshire Learning Trust (YLT) website. [RG2] 

Our Local Governing Committee (LGC)

Our Local Governing Committee (sometimes called our Local Governing Board or Local Governing Body) is responsible for working with the school to ensure that it delivers a high-quality education and safe environment for all our children. Together with the Headteacher, who is responsible for day-to-day management of the school, the Governors set the school’s aims and some school specific policies.

Governors are people who volunteer their time to work together as part of the LGC team and who wish to make a positive contribution to their communities. Governors do not need an education background; they have an interest in the role of schools in society and have enquiring minds which contribute to the effective running of the school and the educational achievements and wellbeing of its pupils.

Main aims of our Governing Board

The purpose of governance is to provide:

• Strategic leadership
• Accountability and assurance
• Strategic engagement.

 LGCs carry out a number of important duties alongside the Trust, which include:

• Ensuring our children and young people and staff are safe.
• Working with school staff to ensure inclusion and equality for all.
• Reviewing policy, such as on the school’s curriculum and collective worship.
• Setting standards for pupils’ behaviour.
• Making sure school buildings are welcoming and safe.
• Setting and monitoring the school’s aims and ethos
• Agreeing the school’s development plan and monitoring progress against clear objectives.
• Monitoring the school’s budget to ensure it is spent in the best way for our young people.
• Understanding the views of our stakeholders, including children, parents and staff.
• Hearing appeals and grievances.

Our meetings and membership

Our LGC usually meets six times a year. Minutes of the LGC meetings are available on request from the School Office or via clerktogovs@ylt.org.uk.  

Attendance at LGC meetings is recorded and published annually on the YLT website. 

Governors are expected to declare any relevant business and financial interests they may have. This Register of Business Interests is available via the YLT website.

Our LGC consists of  9 governors: the Headteacher, elected Parent Governors, elected Staff Governor, and Trust-Appointed Governors. The Register of Business Interests includes a list of our current and recent governors, how they were appointed to the LGC, and their term of office.

Our Chair of Governors is Clare Eckford and can be contacted by writing to the school address, or emailing admin@sm.starmat.uk 

If you are interested in volunteering for the school or Trust as a school governor, please see our latest vacancies and application form available on the YLT website.

Diversity statement

 At YLT we believe that diversity and inclusion are integral to our success. We are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered to achieve their full potential.

We actively seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most talented individuals from a wide range of backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences. We celebrate the unique contributions of each team member and are dedicated to fostering a culture of equality, where differences are not only embraced but are seen as a source of strength.

Our commitment to diversity and inclusion is reflected in our policies, practices, and the way we do business. We strive to ensure that our recruitment processes are fair, unbiased, and inclusive, and we are continuously working to improve them.

We understand that diversity drives innovation and creativity, and we are dedicated to building a diverse team that reflects the communities we serve.

Yorkshire Learning Trust – additional governance and financial information

Details of our Trustees and Members and governance arrangements are on the YLT website.

There are statutory obligations for Trusts to publish additional governance and financial information online.

This includes our Articles of Association; Annual Reports and Accounts; funding agreements; Executive Pay reports; and Gender Pay Gap reports. This information is published on our Trust website

Meet the Governors

Chair of Governors
Clare Eckford

I moved to South Milford when I was 10 years old and attended the school for year 6 before moving onto Sherburn High School.  Following my law degree in Sheffield, I then moved all the way to Church Fenton and had 2 girls with my first husband.  They went to Barkston Ash primary school and I joined the governing body there when my eldest was 5.  This was followed by a divorce, a new marriage and 2 more children!  I stayed with Barkston for a number of years and chaired the GB there before joining the GB at Sherburn High where I also became chair.  I helped with the formation of the STAR multi academy trust and became a trustee, chairing it for 5 years.

STAR then merged to form YLT and I remained a trustee for another year but as my children have now all grown up (and I even have 2 new grandchildren) I found myself missing the more direct involvement with a school which governance brings.  So I put myself forwards to be a governor at South Milford which is the first time I have been involved with my local school.  I have retired from my job as a solicitor and am loving having more time to be in school supporting the wonderful staff with the amazing job they do in teaching our young people and preparing them for a very different looking future from the one my generation grew up looking forward to.

Trust-appointed Governor
Amy Beadnell-Bevan

I have been a teacher for 11 years. During my career I have worked in two of the other schools within the STAR MAT, one of which is linked very closely to South Milford. As well as working as a Year 2 teacher, I also work as a Literacy Specialist for the Jerry Clay English supporting schools in their phonics and early reading journeys. I have a real passion for helping children to achieve and to be the best learner they can be.

When I am not at work, I love to spend time with my family; my husband and my young son. We love going on holidays and having fun days out as a family.

Trust-appointed Governor
Helen Bryan
I have lived in the village for 20 years and both my sons attended South Milford Primary School. I have had many roles in the school as a parent; PTA member and member of the teaching staff and so understand the importance of the school within the community. I now work at another local North Yorkshire primary school in the Early Years Unit which I thoroughly enjoy but still feel a strong association with South Milford. I am delighted to now have the role as a governor where I can use my experience and skills to support the school and ensure all our children shine.
The school has an exciting future as the village continues to grow. I look forward to the journey and challenges ahead and the contribution I can make as a member of the Governing Body.

Trust-appointed Governor

Adrienne Burrow
I have lived in South Milford for over 40 years, moving here after I got married. We happily settled into village life and made new friends, many of whom had children at South Milford Primary School.
These children developed into well-rounded, confident young people and this is a tribute to a village school which I can see is continuing to nurture and educate its pupils.
Having worked in the book trade for 45 years I recently retired and now have the time to read more books. I am passionate about literacy and believe that reading is a key to learning, having been inspired by a brilliant teacher many years ago.
The opportunity to become a governor for me means I can contribute to an essential part of village life.

Staff Governor
Natalie Carter

I have lived in Sherburn-in-Elmet and the surrounding area for most of my life. I completed my Master’s Degree in Environmental Geography at the University of York before moving to London to work in higher education at University College London. My work in the widening participation team developed my interest in supporting young people to achieve their goals of continuing their education at university. However, I felt that my true passion lay in working with primary-aged children, to give them the best start in their educational journey. I therefore decided to move back home and completed my PGCE through the STAR Teaching School Alliance and the University of Hull. My very first teaching placement was at South Milford and I’ve never left! I’ve been the Year 5 Class Teacher for the last four years and have taken on other responsibilities in that time, from Computing and Maths lead to ECT mentor. I have now taken on the role of Staff Governor as I understand the importance of maintaining the high-quality teaching and learning provision within our school and I want to support the school in developing and continuing to improve our wonderful school environment.

Executive Head Teacher
Melanie Lawrence
After qualifying from Kingston-upon-Thames University in 1998, I started my teaching career in Richmond-upon-Thames. In total I spent seven years living, studying and teaching just outside London before I returned home to Yorkshire and my hometown of Snaith to marry my husband.
On my return ‘up north’, I accepted a teaching position in a large primary school in Goole where I stayed for 11 years progressing from class teacher to phase leader and eventually Deputy Head Teacher. I loved my time at the school, but after three years of being Deputy, I felt ready to take on the challenge of my own school. I realised this ambition when I became the Head Teacher of a small rural primary school just outside Goole in 2012. These varied roles and settings have provided an invaluable breadth of causes to celebrate and challenges which have informed my educational vision and aspirations.
I have two children of my own and their experiences inspire and motivate me to be the best head teacher I can be!

My boys have always been excited to share the experiences they have had. I hope to be able to provide a similarly enthusing experience for children in our school.My aim is to work with the children, staff and governors in order to make South Milford Primary School an “Outstanding School” and one that staff, children and parents can be so proud to call their own.

Parent Governor
Andy Sloan

Originally from south Manchester, I moved to Sherburn in 2010 and to South Milford in 2012.  My wife, Sally, and her family have lived here for over 30 years. I have two boys: Seth now attends Sherburn High School and Luca is in Year 4. My parents were always involved with my primary school and helped where they could and looking back I can see the importance of their input. It is part of the reason I put myself forwards for the role. It can be said there is little point standing on the sidelines but rather to make a difference to be involved and this is again a reason to take on such an important role. I wish to contribute towards the school's success to deliver well-educated and rounded individuals who will be to the benefit of the school and the wider community.  I want my children to enjoy their schooling experience and the school to thrive in delivering its objectives.

By day I am a catastrophic personal injury solicitor dealing mainly with brain injury, fatal or amputation actions, representing the injured party against the insurance industry.  Outside of work I am a qualified running coach and welfare officer for Tadcaster Harriers and a long-suffering Stockport County fan. 

Trust-appointed Governor

Sammi Wadsworth

I have lived in North Yorkshire all my life. I grew up in a little village near Harrogate, very similar to South Milford. I loved the community spirit of my village and the connection my school had across the community, so when my husband and I found a house in South Milford we knew it was a village we wanted to grow our family in. I am currently on maternity with my first child, however when I am not on maternity, I am a primary school teacher and senior leader at a school in Garforth, I have seven years' experience teaching from Nursery, all the way to Year 6. My passions are SEN, Early Years, Thrive and Phonics. 

Parent Governor

Hannah Robinson 

I came to live in South Milford with my husband over ten years ago and now our two boys attend the school. One of our sons has SEND, which involves us working closely with staff to achieve the best outcomes for him. Being a governor enables me to challenge and support the school to make sure that every child has the opportunities they need to thrive, in an environment where they feel valued and safe. I’m also keen to help develop strong links with parents and the community, so we can collaborate effectively, giving all children the best possible experience of school.