The Governors work closely with the Headteacher, school staff and representative from the Local Authority (LA). The information contained on this page was accurate as of May 2026. This page is monitored by the governing body.
The Governing Body of Tow Law Millennium Primary School has a strong focus on its three core strategic functions:
1. Ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction;
2. Holding the Headteacher to account for the educational performance of the school and its pupils, and the performance management of staff; and
3. Overseeing the financial performance of the school and making sure its money is well spent.
Governors have had a very bust year and are completing training on strategic leadership linked to the new Ofsted Framework in summer 2026. We are currently advertising for a parent governor and have one co-opted governor vacancy.
As well as meeting as a full body, the governors also meet in smaller committees whose decisions are then confirmed by the full Governing Body. Effective use of working parties strengthened the effectiveness of the Governing Body ensuring accountability and timeliness of decisions. .
Some governors take a particular responsibility for an area of the school’s work, for example, our Chair of Governors is responsible for Safeguarding. Governors’ current focus is currently on the development of the curriculum and attendance . For more information relating to this, please contact the Headteacher.
Michelle Fernandez is our Chair of Governors and Richard Manchester is Vice Chair. If you need to contact them please address correspondence c/o the school and the Clerk to the Governing Body (TBC), School & Governor Support Service, Education Department, County Hall, Durham, DH1 5UJ.
Michelle Fernandez can also be contacted via this email address: towlaw.durhamlearning.net
Governor Spring Newsletter 2024
Governor Newsletter Spring 2022
How To Become A School Governor
If you require further information on the roles and responsibilities of School Governors or you are interested in becoming one, visit the Durham County Council website School Governor section.
Statutory Guidance for Governing Bodies
Tow Law Millennium Primary School adhere to the statutory guidance from the Department for Education. This means that governing bodies must have regard to it when carrying out duties relating to the constitution of governing bodies in maintained schools. For further information please view or download the documents below.
The Constitution of Governing Bodies of Maintained Schools (2017)
Induction Policy for Governors 2021
Instrument of Governance November 2019
Governing Body and Visits Policy 2024
Governor Code of Conduct 2024
Annual Statement of Governance 2024
Committee Structure
| Name | Date of appointment - Current Term of Office | Term of Office Ends | Representing | Committee | Responsibilities | Register of Interest | Governance roles in other Educational Establishments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lisa Croft (Chair) | 05/04/2025 | 05/04/2029 | Co-opted | Finance, Premises & Personnel First / Pay Review Headteacher's Performance Safeguarding & curriculum | More Able and Talented Safeguarding EYFS Core Subjects (English and Maths) Assessment | None | |
| Cllr Richard Manchester | 07/02/2022 | 06/02/2026 | Local Authority | First / Pay Review & Headteacher's Performance | Foundation Subjects (Humanities) Sports Premium | Durham Hens Durham County Council Durham & Darlington combined fire authority Three Towns Partnership Chair | LA Governor Stanley Crook Primary School |
| Nicola Mawson (Head Teacher) | First appointed 01/09/2025 | Safeguarding & curriculum | Core Subjects (Maths, English, Science and IT) Foundation Subjects (Humanities) Sports Premium Safeguarding & Prevent GDPR | None | |||
| Michelle Fernandez | 25/11/2022 | 24/11/2026 | Parent | ||||
| Amanda Shaw | 4/12/2023 | 3/12/2027 | Co-opted | Shaw's of Durham - Coach service used by TLMPS | |||
| Kirsty Duffy | 25/11/2022 | 24/11/2026 | Co-opted | ||||
| Avril Wilkinson | 11/02/2025 | 10/02/2029 | Co-opted | ||||
| Vacancy | Staff | ||||||
| Vacancy | Co-opted | ||||||
| Vacany | Parent | ||||||
| Kris Shaw | Stepped down 22/10/2025 | ||||||
| John Hart | Stepped down July 2025 | ||||||
| Stephen Hall | Stepped down September 2025 | ||||||
| Lisa Jackson (Head Teacher) | Retired 31/8/2025 | ||||||
| Jenny Mountain | Stepped down January 2025 | ||||||
| Jenny Linsley | Stepped down 03/12/2023 | ||||||
| Steven Matthews | Stepped down 21/10/2023 | ||||||
| Claire Ritson | Stepped down 4/10/2022 Vacancy | ||||||
| Clare Wild | Stepped down 3/3/2021 | ||||||
| Russell Bell | Stepped down 16/07/2019 | ||||||
| Steve Peat | Stepped down 06/02/2018 | ||||||
| Lorraine Collier | Stepped down 07/07/2019 |
Related Party Transaction Register 2023-2024
Governor Pen Portraits
Richard Manchester
Nicola Mawson
Michelle Fernandez
Amanda Shaw
Governor Attendance
Schools are now required to display a record of Governor’s attendance at meetings for each school academic year. You can also view previous years attendance on our website.
TLMPS Governors – Attendance Register 2024 – 2025
TLMPS Governors – Attendance Register 2023 – 2024
TLMPS Governors – Attendance Register 2022 – 2023
TLMPS Governors – Attendance Register 2021 – 2022
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