School Governance
Our Local Governing Committee Meetings & 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 7 governors; the Headteacher, elected Parent Governors, elected Staff Governor; X Foundation Governors; 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 Dr Claire Wensley, who can be contacted by writing to the school address, or emailing cofg@ar.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.
Our LGC (Local Governing Committee)
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.
Our LGC Structure
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 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.
LGB Structure (Quorum: 50% current membership = 4 governors
Our Local Governing Committee Aims
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 are safe.
- Working with school staff to ensure inclusion and equality for all.
- Reviewing policy on the school’s curriculum.
- Setting standards for pupils’ behaviour.
- Making sure school buildings are welcoming and safe.
- Setting and monitoring the school’s aims and policies.
- Agreeing the school’s development plan and monitoring progress against clear objectives.
- Determining how the school’s budget is spent.
- Understanding the views of our stakeholders, including children, parents and staff.
- Hearing appeals and grievances.
Contacting the Chair of Governors, Dr Claire Wensley
You can contact our Chair of Governors, Dr Claire Wensley, by telephoning the main school office on 01904 501906. Alternatively you can email cofg@ar.starmat.uk.
Alternatively, you can write to Claire. Her address is:
Chair of Governors, Appleton Roebuck Primary School, Appleton Roebuck, North Yorkshire, YO23 7DN.
YLT - Additional Governance & Finance Information
Details of our Trustees and Members 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.
Our Local Governing Committee
Dr Claire Wensley
Chair of Governors
Dr Claire Wensley is a paediatrician and mother of two. She brings an expertise of safeguarding experience to her role, with a strong commitment to the wellbeing of children and young people. Alongside her clinical work, she has previously held the position of Honorary Lecturer at Hull York Medical School.
Claire is committed to supporting the school’s vision and ensuring high standards for all pupils.
Mr David Boyes-Watson
Trust Governor
Ms Caroline Mitchell
Clerk to Governors
Ms Lucy Robertson
Trust Governor
I joined Appleton Roebuck Primary School as a Trust Appointed Governor in January 2025. My main reason for wanting to carry out this role is to be able to give back to the local community and to support the quality and success of the school that our children attended (many years ago!).
In my professional career I have been an Operations Director within the Logistics Industry for over 20 years, working for some well-known names such as DHL, Argos, Amazon and Yodel as well as in Chemicals and Pharmaceuticals. For the last 3 years I have been working within the News and Magazines Industry on a diversification program.
My role involves day to day operations as well as Governance, Safety, Coaching, Mentoring, Team development and delivering Change programs.
I beleive I have many transferable skills that will benefit both my role at ARPS and the team, and am looking forward to supporting the development of the school for the future.
I live locally in Colton with my husband and our two grown-up children, dogs, a cat and some chickens.
Ms Georgia Wainwright
Parent Governor
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.
