Polam Hall School

• Admissions
• About Polam Hall School
• Special Features
• History
• Destination of Leavers
• Academic Performance
• Structure
• Ethos
• Mission Statement
• Governance and Management
• Staff List
• Policies
• Inspection Reports
• Head's Letters
• Rewards and Sanctions
• Student led video tour
• Views of the school
• Teaching and Learning
• Parents
• Parents Association
• Old Scholars
• Practical Information
• MyDaughter
• May Ball
• Job Vacancies
• Gallery

Governance and Management

The leadership structure of the school is outlined below: -

• Board of Governors (including Trustee Governors)
• Full Senior Management Team:

Headmistress
Bursar
Junior School Headmistress
Deputy Headmistress
Senior Teacher
Business Development Manager

The members of the Governing Body are:

CHRISTOPHER D W PRATT BSc – Chair of Governors & Trustee

A Governor since 1989 , Chair since 2004 and Deputy Chairman of the Finance and Management Committee. A local farmer in Blackwell, Darlington;married to Carol, who is also a Trustee of the school. His daughter Katie is a former Polam Hall student who studied Biochemistry at Bristol University and his son Martin studied at Durham University after attending Hurworth House School and Polam Hall Sixth Form.



DR MARY M CARR M.D., B.SC., F.R.C.P. – Vice Chair

A Governor since 1995, Chair of the Health and Safety Committee and a member of the Finance & Management Committee. A Consultant Dermatologist at the University Hospital of North Durham and Bishop Auckland General Hospital. Married to a Consultant Physician at Darlington Memorial Hospital. Mother of 2 daughters and 1 son. Hannah was at Polam Hall from 1992-1999 and read Law at Oxford University. Emma also attended Polam Hall and is now a well qualified graduate.

MRS FRANCES WEDGE - Vice Chair

A Governor since January 2003 and serves on the Finance & Management Committee. A partner in a local media consultancy.

MRS DAPHNE BATEMAN - Vice Chair

Attended Polam Hall from 1959 – 1962 and went on to The Birmingham College of Food and Domestic Arts. After gaining a diploma, held several positions in schools and private houses including at one time working as a shepherd in Northumberland. Secretary of Polam Hall Old Scholars Association from 1988 – 2001 and represented PHOSA on the Governing body for 9 years. Became a Governor in 2001. Mrs Bateman is Chair of the House and Boarding Committee and a member of the PHPA . Interests include Natural History and reading.



MRS BARBARA M BROWN

Polam Hall Old Scholars (PHOSA) representative on the Governing body since 2001. Teacher of German and English as a Foreign Language (EFL), now working freelance and is a Coach Operator. Was guardian to two of Polam Hall's Hong Kong boarders. Member of the House and Boarding Committee and an active member of Darlington Soroptimist Club. Interests include cabin cruising on Inland Waterways.

MRS ANNE ELLIOTT LLB Hons TEP

Became a Governor in 2007. Is a partner in a prominent local law firm. Serves on the House and Boarding and Nominations committees. Mrs Elliott is the nominated Governor for Child Protection issues.

MRS ANGELA ELLIOTT

Represented the Parents Association on the Governing Body from 2004 to 2008. From January 2009 was elected as a full School Governor. Serves on the Education Committee.

MR KEVIN GORDON

Appointed a Governor in 2001. Initially trained in Accountancy, now runs an Executive Recruitment & HR Consultancy based in Leeds and London. Has a son and a daughter; the latter studied at Polam Hall. Interests include skiing, tennis, golf and music.

MRS JULIE JOHNSON

A Governor since 1991 and now serving her second term. Is on the Education Committee and was previously Governor for 15 years at Abbey Junior School. Married to a local Solicitor and has 3 daughters who have all been at the school. Elizabeth is a doctor, Kathryn a Solicitor and Susan who read History and Politics at Nottingham University. Interests include golf, Learn Direct, reading and education.

MISS DOROTHY MOUNSEY - Trustee

Elected Chair of Governors in 1972, taking over from her mother, and served in the role until 1985. Was at Polam Hall from 1928 – 1936 and worked as a gardener at the school for part of the war years. Interests include gardening and the Women's Institute weekly market.

MRS SALLY PELHAM BA (OXON)

Appointed to the Governing body in 2006. Serves on the Education and Nominations committees. Has two daughters, the younger a current pupil at the school.

MRS MARGARET L PRATT - Trustee

A governor since 1977 and member of the Finance and Management Committee. A retired farmer's wife, her husband Eric Pratt also served as a Governor. Daughter of Reginald and Mary Mounsey who were founder Governors. Both her grandmother and mother were pupils and she, along with her two sisters,was at Polam Hall in the 1930's. Since 1960 has had three daughters and two grandchildren at the school. Interests include natural history and gardening.






DR N J G WRIGHT MA DPhil - Chair of Education Committee

Durham University Representative since 2007.

The full Governing body meets four times each year.

Sub Committees meet as follows:

• Finance and Management - quarterly
• Education - September and May
• Health and Safety - termly
• House and Boarding - termly

All governors may be contacted via the Clerk to the Governors, Mr M N Carr, at the school.

All governors are welcome to visit the school at any time. We hold regular Governors' Open Days when the governors can see the school in action. They attend many school events and meet frequently with staff and students.