Governing Body
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. The Governing Body is supported by a Clerk to the governors, who administers the Full Governing Body meetings.
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.
I can be contacted directly on email at chairofgovernors@lanterns.hants.sch.uk for any queries relating to the Governing Body
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.
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.
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. We would also like to increase the diversity of our Governing Body to ensure we fully reflect the makeup of the children and families who we serve. 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.