Governors

Meet our Chair of Governors

Helen Freeborn

Helen is a very experienced teacher and former secondary headteacher, with teaching and leadership experience in London, Sheffield and Greater Manchester. She was an LA officer, with responsibility for SEN services for the City of Manchester, for two years between her headships. Helen has worked for the national Future Leaders programme and currently works in school-centred initial teacher training for TES Institute; she also works as an assessor of trainee teachers for Qualified Teacher Status. Helen has been a primary school governor since 1996, in a range of schools in Sheffield, Manchester and the East Riding.

Welcome Message from the Chair of Governors

Dear Parents, carers and members of the community,

At Riston CE Primary Academy, governors, staff, parents, children and families work together in a happy and creative environment, where Christian values are at the core of everything we do. As a member of the Ebor Academy Trust, we benefit from being part of a family of primary schools in the East Riding who work collaboratively to support each other.

I have been Chair of Governors since 2020 and have been privileged to watch the school thrive – Ofsted described the school as “Good” after an inspection in January 2023 and a Statutory Inspection of Anglican and Methodist Schools (SIAMS) Report in November 2013 stated that “Riston is a very caring and inclusive church school. Pupils and adults feel welcomed as members of the Riston family. In line with their vision, the uniqueness of everyone is valued.” 

I chair a governing board which works closely to support the head and staff, whilst ensuring that the school meets its obligations and responsibilities and provides an exciting, engaging curriculum which fosters in each child a passion for knowledge and learning, whilst meeting each child’s unique learning needs. I visit the school regularly and am delighted on each visit by the friendly, enthusiastic and caring atmosphere and culture in each classroom. 

Being a small village school, Riston provides an environment where all children and staff know each other well, care about each other’s happiness – We strive to promote a Christian ethos where care and respect are shown to everyone, whatever their faith, culture or background. The teachings of the Bible are central to our Christian vision and values.

As a governing board, we provide strategic direction for the improvement of the school; monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of the school; and hold the school to account for the standards achieved and the quality of education. Our key concern, however, is for the welfare, happiness and progress of the children and this is at the centre of everything that we do.

We welcome warmly any visitors who would like to see our school first hand – please feel free to make an appointment to visit.

Yours faithfully

Helen Freeborn

Governor Roles Overview

Our Governors are elected in accordance with our Instrument of Government

Staff Governors: Mrs J Marsden (Head), Mrs S Prosser, Mrs K Wrightson

Foundation Governors: Revd D Messer, Mr C Whitehead, Mrs N France

Parent Governors: Mrs L Barmby-Hannah, Miss S Ward, Mrs S Rhodes

Trust Governors: Mrs H Freeborn (Chair), Mrs A Mitchel

The governing body has a range of duties and powers and a general responsibility for the conduct of the school with a view to promoting high standards of educational achievement.

Its responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• setting targets for pupil achievement
• managing the school’s finances
• making sure the curriculum is balanced and broadly based
• appointing staff
• reviewing staff performance and pay

Governor Information

Our Governing Body is a shared body with Sigglesthorne Church of England Primary Academy

If you need to speak to one of the Governors you can contact them through the school office.

To view our local governing body information please click on the link below:

Sigglesthorne and Riston Governor Body – Declarations of Interest 2024-25

For information regarding Ebor Academy Trust Governance please click here

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