Governors

The School Governors play a strategic role in making decisions and taking action to improve the standards of teaching and learning for all pupils at the school in a safe and stimulating environment.

Who are the school Governors?

The governors are made up of 10 people and are drawn from different parts of the school community which ensures that a sufficient diversity of views and experience is represented:

Our School Governors are:

Governor Information & Register of Business Interests 

What do the school Governors do?

Governors have 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. This includes setting targets for pupils achievement, managing the school’s finances, making sure the curriculum is balanced and broadly based, the learning environment is safe, appointing staff, reviewing staff performance and pay, and many more.

There are three sub-committees of the governing body which facilitate its work and they are:

The Pupil & Curriculum Committee

The Curriculum Committee comprises of Lara Angell, James Williamson, Bill McLoughlin, Lisa Matthews, Katie Grainger and Claire Evans. This ensures that a wide range of experience and viewpoints are taken into consideration when we meet to discuss the following aspects that impact on teaching and learning and the opportunities that are available to pupils. The committee has responsibility for:

 Achievement:

• Monitoring & reviewing information on School Performance to include Raise Online & Data Dashboard.
• Monitoring & reviewing school targets
• Monitoring and reviewing in year progress for all year groups and all groups of pupils
• Comparing school performance against national data
• Reporting to parents according to statutory requirements
• Monitoring achievement for all groups of pupils (inc. pupil premium)
• Monitoring pupils work and carry out pupil conversations

• Monitoring school target setting systems and how this is reported to parents.

Teaching & Learning:

• Reviewing Raise Online / Data Dashboard, ensuring the school is meeting standards
• Ensuring targeted support and action plans are in place for all teachers who are not at least good
• Monitoring and reviewing quality of teaching across the school.
• Monitoring teaching for groups of pupils (inc. pupil premium)
• Monitoring intervention groups for all groups of pupils
• Monitoring homework arrangements

Curriculum:

• Ensuring the school is meeting National Curriculum requirements and to review the Curriculum Policy Statement ensuring it meets pupils needs
• Monitoring and reviewing the curriculum with a focus on basic skills
• Monitoring skills coverage of curriculum in all subjects
• Parental engagement
• Reviewing & updating SEF (Self Evaluation Form)
• Monitoring & reviewing School Improvement Plan
• Monitoring how school are developing pupils spiritual, cultural, social and moral awareness

The Resources Committee:

The Resources Committee comprises of Jagjeet Padam, Bill McLoughlin, Jackie Whitehouse and Pippa Somervell.  The committee provides guidance to the governing body and Headteacher on all matters relating to finance as outlined in the School’s Financial Regulations & Standing Orders.  These will include:

Finance:

• Producing & approving the annual budget and present it to the full Governing Body for ratification.
• Reviewing the actual expenditure and monitoring statements at least once a term.
• Receiving & Reviewing financial projections.
• Approving expenditure and virements of sums over £10,000, sums below that amount are delegated to the Head Teacher
• Conforming to the Schools Financial Value Standards in Schools.
• Assessing the financial progress towards achieving the objectives in the School Improvement Plan.
• Reviewing of leases & contracts – including traded services.
• Ensuring Best Value principles apply.
• Reviewing the financial implications on the budget of the Pay & Conditions document.
• Receiving LA Budget and Out turn Statement (Section 122)
• Receive the annual accounts and certificate of audit of the School Fund Account and other voluntary funds held within school
• Assessing the schools insurance cover to ensure that it provides adequate protection against risks.
• Reviewing and approving the petty cash to be held by the school.
• Ensuring LA financial procedures are complied with.
• Obtaining quotations with a view to placing contracts./.orders, once the relevant Committee has drawn up a specification.

Staffing:

• Considering applications from staff for variation to contract (secondments, early retirements, leave of absence, reduced working hours etc.)
• Ensuring all personnel records are held securely.
• Reviewing annually the staffing structure of the school ensuring that it meets the requirements of the curriculum and is in line with the School Improvement Plan.
• Reviewing staff work / life balance, working conditions and well-being, including the monitoring of absence.
• Implementing the Appraisal Policy and monitor teacher appraisal process.
• Equal Opportunities
• Establishing & maintaining a rolling programme for Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) Checks.
• Staff training and CPD
• Staff Grievance and Discipline (in line with school policies)
• Staff dismissal, redundancy and redeployment

Premises Health & Safety:

• Review the schools Health & Safety Policy on an annual basis.
• Receive a regular report on accident statistics, near misses and incidents of violence or aggression.
• Comply with current fire safety legislation & regulations: ‘level one’ fire risk assessment should be carried out by the school on an annual basis; ‘level 2’ or technical fire risk assessment is reviewed bi-annually.
• Ensure Risk Assessments are carried out and reviewed on a regular basis.
• Inspect the school site and buildings to enable maintenance and improvement, including security. (Site visit)
• Review and Authorise upcoming offsite activities, ensuring that health and safety planning and risk assessments that have been undertaken for them.
• Receive reports  and audits from Health & Safety representatives (to include Caretaking & Cleaning)
• Ensure staff & Governors undertake appropriate Health & Safety Training.
• Monitor all safeguarding procedures.
• Ensure that Health & Safety documents and records are up to date:

–        Fire log book

–        Asbestos on site

–        Premise log book (PAT Testing, Glazing Inspections, An annual check of PE Equipment / Playground Equipment

• Establish & review an Accessibility Plan
• Review e-safety policy & procedures