What does the Governing Body do?

As a maintained nursery school, all the services offered by Lanterns are overseen by the governing body.   

Governors are strategic leaders within schools and have a vital role to play in making sure every child gets the best possible education.  Governing bodies have a strong focus on three core strategic functions:

• Ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and direction;
• Holding the headteacher to account for the educational performance of the school and its pupils, and the performance management of the staff; and
• Overseeing the financial performance of the school and making sure its money is well spent.

The Lanterns Governing Body has a flat governance structure, with nine meetings during each academic year.  Ad-hoc committee meetings (for example, the Pay Committee) also take place as required.

Meet the Governing Body

Lanterns Governing Body is constituted to include at least two parent governors, a local authority governor, a headteacher, a staff governor and up to seven co-opted governors. Each governor takes on a specific role to monitor key governance areas, including safeguarding, curriculum, and special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

Mini Biographies

Briony Allder, Chair of Governors and Co-opted Governor

I became the Chair in October 2021, having joined initially as a parent governor, and absolutely love being part of the Lanterns Governing Body. In my day job I am a co-Director of a medico-legal business and bring 15 years experience of working in the public sector as a senior manager, in both operational and strategic roles, to the governing body. My daughter attended Lanterns and thrived, which makes me even more committed to ensuring that the nursery school offers all children the opportunity to achieve their full potential. In my spare time I enjoy reading and creative pursuits.

Teresa Kopec, Parent Governor

I am a busy mum of 2 who moved to Winchester from London in March 2020. My daughter started in the Bumblebees class at Lanterns, progressing to Ladybirds and is currently in Butterflies.  As an experienced teacher in post 16 and Adult Education, currently on a career break, I am very passionate about all aspects of education. I hold the belief that all children should have the opportunity to access good quality learning and support.  In March 2022 I joined the governing body as a Parent Governor to use my experience to help, support and inform all stakeholders. In my spare time I enjoy regular trips to the beach and exploring what the surrounding area of Winchester has to offer.

Hayley Nation-Smith, Co-opted Governor

I am the curriculum governor for Lanterns after joining the governing body in 2022.  My daughter attended Lanterns back in 2020, my first son is currently in Butterflies room and my second son will start when he turns two.  Having been a Reception class teacher and PreSchool Room Leader in a number of settings in and around Winchester, I can really see just how special Lanterns is and want to support this unique and nurturing nursery in any way I can.

Emily Townsend, Co-opted Governor

I am the Safeguarding Governor for Lanterns and joined as a Governor in January 2023. I have worked in the education industry for twelve years so am very passionate about the importance of the early years in shaping children for their futures in education and the valuable impact that practitioners have on children of this age. As a local Mum, I have experienced first hand the support from many of the extended services that have partnered with Lanterns over the years, it's a very special place that impacts so many local families. I have a number of years experience in area management, including leading on recruitment, training and development, safeguarding and managing a large team so I bring operational insight and a breadth of transferable skills to the governing board.

Jan Harris, Local Authority Governor

I initially joined Lanterns as clerk to the governors, and really enjoyed being part of the Lanterns Governing Body. As I started to understand Lanterns I found the work and challenges the Nursery faces inspiring. Seeing how much of a critical role they played in the development of their children. and how they prepared the children for their first formal educational step.

I retired from the public sector and worked in both operational and strategic roles with strong links to the safeguarding of both children and adult as well as investigation. I clerk for other schools so benefit from the breadth of knowledge and expertise observed with my other boards and can share best practice and ideas from other schools facing similar challenges. In my spare time I can be found out with my camera or (trying) walking and training my springer spaniel.

Ellie Jennings, Staff Governor

I joined the governing body March 2023 and am appointed as Staff Governor. I am the assistant SENCO and senior practitioner here at Lanterns. My journey at Lanterns began in 2017 as I started off as a volunteer whilst completing my degree in special and inclusive education. Shortly after this I became an EYP and began working full time in each of the different classes over the years. I left Lanterns in 2020 to study my Masters in SEND education and returned just before I had completed to be in my current role. I feel my experience working in each different class at different levels of position supports me as a governor in sharing the lived experiences as a member of staff at Lanterns and what practice looks like at that ground level. My passion lies within the field of SEND and I strongly believe in the importance of early intervention ensuring that these children have the best start possible and are given equal opportunities to achieve alongside their peers. Underpinning my motivation for supporting SEND is a desire to aid communication for those who do not have a voice, to advocate on the behalf of those who cannot express their needs and ensure that these children get the support that they need. Within my role I support the journeys of our SEND children, this involves working with the children, their families and other professionals. The variety of my role allows me to experience different elements of the Lanterns community, this then supports me in my role as staff governor in feeding back to the board. 

Chloe East, Co-opted Governor

I joined the Lanterns governing body in September 2023 as the SEND governor. 

My first career was as a drama teacher, working for 20 years in secondary schools in Hampshire.  Ready for a new challenge, I left teaching to return to university, studying firstly for a master’s degree in psychology, then a PhD.  My thesis involved working with autistic young people to explore their experiences in education.  Collectively we designed resources to help pupils and staff better understand the perspectives of autistic girls.  I now work supporting schools and families with inclusive education.

I have been involved with Lanterns for many years, starting off helping with Friends of Lanterns events before working as supply staff while studying for my master’s.  I am really pleased to continue supporting the wonderful work that Lanterns does for children and families in Winchester.

Emily Fraser-McKenzie, Parent Governor

Mini bio coming soon!

Vacancies

Do you know someone who wants to make a difference to children and their families, give something back to our community, and use and develop their life skills?

If the answer is yes, then they may be interested in becoming a governor at Lanterns.  We have vacancies for what is termed a co-opted governor, which simply means a governor who is not a parent or staff member at Lanterns.

Governors do not need experience in education, but rather the skills, character, enthusiasm, and time to contribute. We would be particularly interested in recruiting someone with bid writing and marketing skills and/or someone prepared to one day chair the board.  A full range of training is available through Hampshire Governor Services and all members of the Governing Body take part in an annual training session on a specific topic.

For further details, please email adminoffice@lanterns.hants.sch.uk or call the friendly administrative staff on (01962) 860393.