Welcome to our Governance Section
As Hopton Church of England Primary is an academy which is part of the Diocese of Norwich Education and Academies Trust (DNEAT) Multi-academy Trust, legal responsibility for the schools lies with DNEAT. It is governed by the Directors, who rely on advice and support from the Local Governing Board (LGB). The Directors are the charity trustees and responsible for the general control and management of the administration of the Company in accordance with the provisions set out in the Articles of Association of the Company. Further information regarding the structure of governance within DNEAT can be found on the DNEAT Website.
A message from Chris Grogan, Chair of Governors:
Welcome to Hopton Church of England Primary Academy. Governance at Hopton Primary Academy is the joint responsibility of the Diocese of Norwich Education and Academies Trust (DNEAT) and the Local Governing Board (LGB).
School governors provide strategic leadership and accountability in schools. They ensure that there is a broad and balanced curriculum offer for the children, which is relevant and engaging.
Each individual governor is a member of the governing board. Individual governors may not act independently of the rest of the governing board and decisions are the joint responsibility of the governing board. Whilst many decisions are down to the DNEAT Trust Board, lots of functions are delegated to the Local Governing Board. Details and details of this can be found in the Scheme of Delegation below.
The role of the governing board is a strategic one with three key functions:
- Ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction
- Holding executive leaders to account for the educational performance of the organisation and its pupils, and the effective and efficient performance management of staff
- Overseeing the financial performance of the organisation and making sure its money is well spent.
Governors set the aims and objectives for the school. They set the policies and targets for achieving those aims and objectives. They monitor and evaluate the progress the school is making and act as a source of challenge and support to the headteacher. The headteacher is responsible for the internal organisation, management and control of the school and the implementation of the strategic framework established by the governing board.
The Governing Board is also responsible for ensuring that the school meets the required standards for Church Schools, assessed by the Statutory Inspection of Anglican and Methodist Schools.
Please do contact me via grogan.chris@gmail.com if you would like further information or have any questions at any point.
I am delighted to confirm the details of the governors in post at the present time below.
Chris Grogan
Chair of Governors
Hopton CE Primary Academy
The Local Governing Board
At Hopton Church of England Primary Academy, the members of the Local Governing Board are:
Governor appointed by the DNEAT Trust Board.
Term of office until 31/07/2022.
No business interests. Chris has 1 child in school.
I am Chris Grogan, Chair of the Local Governing Board (LGB) and have been a governor for 8 years – in that time I have been chair of the Resources Committee and Vice Chair of the LGB. I am a Chartered Accountant working for Aviva.
Both of my children have been to Hopton Primary, with Harry still in Year 5.
My main interests are running (slowly!!), reading, cooking and trying to finish various DIY projects at home.
Governor appointed by the DNEAT Trust Board.
Term of office until 31/07/2022.
Business interests: Multi-Academy Trust Finance Manager and EAST MAT Trustee
Although born in Yorkshire, I grew up in locally in Norfolk and returned to Hopton after living away at University. I am a qualified Human Resources (HR) Professional and experienced School Business Leader. As well as HR and payroll, I have expertise in finance, health and safety and premises management. I am currently a Finance Manager in a Multi-Academy Trust. I am also a qualified Governance Professional and Trustee of another Multi-Academy Trust.
I have been a Governor since 2010 and joined the Governing Board at Hopton Primary in July 2013. I was Chair of Governors from September 2016 to July 2022. During my time as Governor at Hopton we secured a ‘good’ judgement from Ofsted and joined the Diocese of Norwich Education and Academies Trust (DNEAT).
I am passionate about state education and believe that every child has the right to attend a primary school that gives them the best start and supports their aspiration to achieve whatever they want to in life. I’m a firm believer in lifelong learning and preparing children for this.
In addition to being a Finance Manager, Trustee and Governor, I love to spend quality time with my family enjoying life. I have two children who attended Hopton Primary but are now at High School.
Governor appointed by the DNEAT Trust Board
Term of Office until 31/07/2026
No Business Interest
Hi everyone, my name is Rosemary, though some of you might remember me as Mrs. Barker.
Starting school in the early 1950s, I effectively never left until I retired in 2008. During this time, I have worn many different hats – pupil, student, teacher, parent, governor, headteacher, and diocesan school inspector.
Following a short break after retirement, I am back in school again as a governor at Hopton Primary Academy. It is a privilege to work with the whole team – pupils, staff, governors and parents who all contribute to the ongoing success of the school.
Out of school, I have many hobbies and interests: dancing, singing and music –making; concerts and theatre events; and boating on the Broads.
Governor elected by the staff body
Term of office until 28/11/2022
Business interests: Employed at the academy
Governor appoint by the DNEAT Trust Board
Term of office until 28/04/2026
No business interests. Kit has two children in school
My Name is Kit Edwards, I currently sit on the Local Governing Board (LGB) and Community and Ethos Committee.
I’m a mum of three boys. Jack, my eldest has just started a degree in Business Studies at Newcastle University and my youngest two, Dexter and Freddie, are at Hopton in years 5 & 6.
With over 15 years’ PR, marketing and events experience I now work freelance specialising within retail and the third sector.
My passions include photography, art and walking my dogs.
Governor appoint by the DNEAT Trust Board
Term of office until 28/04/2026
No business interests. Patrick has one child in school
My wife Julie is Vice Chair of the Hopton PTA and our son, Robin, is in Year 4
My links to Hopton school date back to the 1950’s when my Mum attended the village school.
I am a keen golfer, playing off a 5 handicap and self proclaimed Lego geek.
This role is currently open to recruitment.
Meetings
The Local Governing Board meets once per half term. The meeting dates for 2022/23 are:
6th October 2022
8th December 2022
2nd February 2023
23rd March 2023
18th May 2023
13th July 2023
Once formally accepted, the minutes from these meetings will be published below.
The attendance records for governors can also be found below.
Local Governing Board Minutes
Governor Attendance Records
Governor Committees and Responsibilities
Some work of the Local Governing Board is delegated to our committees; Resources, Standards & Curriculum and Ethos & Community. These committees meet termly and report to the Local Governing Board. The Terms of Reference for each committee can be found below.
Resources Committee
Emma Plane (Chair)
Patrick Greaney
Chris Grogan
Justine Petersen (Clerk)
Standards & Curriculum Committee
Currently covered as part of LGB, in line with DNEAT approach
Ethos & Community Committee
Rosemary Barker (Chair)
Kit Edwards
Diane Moore
Justine Petersen (Clerk)
Link Governors
Some governors also have a specific responsibility
| EYFS | |
| Headteacher Performance Review | Rosemary Barker and Emma Plane |
| Health and Safety | Chris Grogan/Patrick Greaney |
| Pupil Premium / Sports Premium / Catch-up Premium | Chris Grogan |
| Relationships, Sex and Health Education (RSHE) | Rosemary Barker |
| Religious Education & Collective Worship | Rosemary Barker |
| Safeguarding | Emma Plane |
| Attendance | Emma Plane |
| SEND | Emma Plane and Kit Edwards |
Contact the Governors
Governors actively seek parents’ views throughout the year through parent questionnaires. In addition to this, any parent can consult the Governors, or put forward ideas for consideration at any time. Please contact us via the school office or directly by email at grogan.chris@gmail.com
