Governance

In order to support the achievement of our vision Respect Trust and Service, Richard Taylor Primary School’s Local Governing Board plays a key role in ensuring the school is strategically well led.

Governor posts are voluntary, their dedication to the role is to collectively make a positive contribution to all children’s education.

The three core functions of governance are;

  • 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 financial performance of the organisation and making sure its money is well spent.

Local Governing Board Membership Designations

  • Two elected parent governors
  • Two elected staff governors
  • Two Headteachers
  • Four foundation governors
  • There is also the scope for the board to co-opt additional governors to support their work

All of our governors work collectively on the priority of supporting, upholding and developing the distinctiveness of the school, in particular as a Church of England School.

Local Governing Board Operation

The Governing Body meets at least once a term in full, with much of its work is carried out through sub-committee meetings within the term cycle.

The Governors at Richard Taylor Primary School also regularly visit school, utilising their wide range of skills and experience, meeting their link classes and observing their link subjects.

They play a key role in monitoring and evaluating the impact of provision though the lens of the schools vision.


Meet our current Local Governing Committee members:

All governors can be contacted through the School Office via the clerk to the Local Governing Body, Richard Taylor School, Bilton Lane, Harrogate, HG1 3DT.

Dr Jan Johnson – Chair of Governors

Foundation Governor appointed by Ripon Diocese/ Richard Taylor’s Educational Trust 

I have been a Foundation Governor since 2008 and elected Chair of Governors in 2021.

It’s been my privilege to have been both a parent of children who have attended and a member of staff at the school, so I know the importance of having good supportive governance for Richard Taylor. In addition to being a critical friend, I have a specific interest in Safeguarding, Worship and Inclusion, as well as Special Education Needs. Visiting the school regularly, meeting classes, chatting to staff, pupils and parents when I can, allows me to get as much knowledge on how Richard Taylor School is doing and how we Governors can help support it to grow and flourish.

Niki Hutchinson – Vice Chair

Foundation Governor appointed by Ripon Diocese/St John’s PCC 

I am a purchase ledger clerk/Accounts assistant in my day job and I am also training to be an accountant.  I am on the premises, personnel and finance committees.

I am also class governor for Nidderdale class alongside being governor for equal opportunities, wellbeing and inclusion.

Steve Scarisbrick 

Foundation Governor appointed by Ripon Diocese 

I have been a governor for 20 years and have two children who attended Richard Taylor School and are now both adults! I have undertaken a variety of roles in my time as a governor and I am currently Chair of the Personnel Committee.

I am committed to ensuring that all staff members are fully supported to provide the best education for all the children in our care. I am delighted to represent a school of which we can all be proud. 

Phillip Richardson

Foundation Governor appointed by Ripon Diocese 

I am an active member of the Christian Fellowship at Woodfield Gospel Hall. I have a BA in English Studies and a PGCE in Secondary Education. I am a teacher of English and Computer Science. I currently have four children who attend Richard Taylor and also provide worship assemblies for the school throughout the year.

I am a governor at the school because I believe in the school’s journey; RTS is a thriving education community with a care for each individual student and I am proud to be involved in the school.

Lucy Shaw

Elected Parent Governor

I am an Attendance Family Support worker in two local High Schools as well as being the Children’s Pastor at Church. I love to work with and alongside young people and their families to support them achieving the best outcomes possible. I have 2 children who both attend Richard Taylor.

I am link Governor for Bishopdale class and I am on the Curriculum and Worship Committees.

Robert Bath

Foundation Governor appointed by Ripon Diocese 

Lynsey Barraclough

Foundation Governor appointed by Ripon Diocese 

Catherine Phelan

Elected Teaching Staff Governor

I have been at RTS since 2014 and am one of the elected staff governors.  I currently teach in year 2 and am part of a job share team, working in class Monday, Tuesday and Wednesdays.   I am the KS1 Maths Curriculum Leader and, as such, I work with the Yorkshire Ridings Maths Hub in a Teaching For Mastery work group.  In addition, I hold the role as MFL lead in school and have a passion for learning  languages! I am part of the premises and personnel committees.

Netty Young

Elected Non-Teaching Staff Governor

I have worked at RTS for 9 years and have spent most of that time supporting Key Stage One and in particular, working closely in Airedale class.

I really enjoy working with the younger children to support them on their learning journey and seeing the progress that they make within Key Stage One is very rewarding.

I joined the Governing Body of RTS in 2024 and am on the Worship and Curriculum committees.

Andrew Symonds

Headteacher

I qualified as a teacher in 1990 and hold a degree in Theology and PGCE, both from Westminster College, Oxford.  My first teaching post was at Richard Taylor School where I worked as a class teacher before moving on to schools in Lancashire where I held various positions, including a successful time as headteacher.  I returned to RTS in 2006 and have been proud to lead the school over the last 18 years.  During my 35 years in education, I have fulfilled many roles including maths consultant in Lancashire, founding Trustee of the Yorkshire Causeway Schools Trust and in 2024 I was recognised by Leeds Development Centre for promoting Fairtrade in Education.
I am a passionate advocate for the children and staff at Richard Taylor Church of England Primary School and am proud to lead such a special community.

Emma Crisell

C0-Headteacher

I qualified in 1994 from The University of Warwick and subsequently achieved a masters in Education from The University of York.  My teaching career started in Early Years and KS1 before working as a maths Advisor for the Local authority. I returned to the classroom in 2007 as a Deputy Headteacher of a large junior school and have now taught all the primary age range.

Like Mr Symonds, I returned to Richard Taylor (as Mrs Crisell, not Miss Dale!) as the school’s Deputy Head in 2014, teaching in Coverdale Class (Year 4 and 5).

I am passionate about the curriculum, with a special interest in Maths and Science. I led school through the implementation of The teaching for Mastery approach as a cohort one Teaching for Mastery Specialist, working with The Yorkshire Ridings Maths Hub.  In 2019 I was made a fellow of the Primary Science Teaching Trust and have represented the UK at three Science on Stage festivals, winning a prize on behalf of school for our work on sustainability.

It is a privilege to work as part of the Richard Taylor School family and to work alongside Mr Symonds leading the school.

Hannah Manwaring

Clerk to Governors

I have worked in schools and in the administration sector for the large part of my working life.  It has been a natural fit to join the Office team here at school in 2022.  The clerk role is a super extension of this and allows me the chance to support another vital section of the RTS family, our fabulous governing body.