Annual Statement of the Governing Body 2022-23
The major focus of the governors is to ensure that our pupils progress appropriately in their education. The Governing Body appreciate that for this to happen the pupils must be supported by a well led, enthusiastic, professionally competent and motivated staff all working together within a safe, supportive, stimulating environment. Governors appreciate too the requirements of our children’s parents and carers and their need to be satisfied about the overall leadership and management of the school and how it affects safety, learning and enjoyment of their children.
To achieve their objectives governors too must continually evaluate the role they have played within the live of the school, and publish relevant information to all interested parties.
This statement is part of that evaluation and publication process.
The Governing Body consists of 11 members, details of which can be found here.
The Governing Body has three core Strategic Functions which are:
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Ensuring the vision, ethos and strategic direction
Governors are responsible for setting the school’s strategic framework, identifying priorities for school improvement and monitoring progress towards these goals. We are also responsible for setting a school ethos of high expectations of behaviour, progress and attainment of all pupils and of conduct of staff and governors.
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Holding the Headteacher to account for the educational performance of the school and its pupils, and the performance management of staff.
Governors must provide challenge to the school and hold the headteacher and senior leaders to account for improving the quality of teaching and learning and school performance. We do this through questioning and through regular monitoring and analysis of data on children’s performance and progress. Governors hold the headteacher to account for the performance management of teachers. (the headteacher’s performance management is conducted by governors.)
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Overseeing the financial performance of the school and making sure its money is well spent
Governors look at the financial statements and ask questions to ensure that the school makes efficient use of its budget and provides best value for money.
Each year the Governing Body considers:
- Standards and attainment and progress of all year groups and groups of children across the school
- Attendance and Punctuality
- Staffing
- Finance
- Health and Safety
- Regular review of the School Development Plan and the School’s Self Evaluation
During the 2022-23 school year, the Governors have in particular focused on:
- Early reading
- Curriculum development
- Development of emotional and mental health and wellbeing support
- The use of the Pupil Premium allowance and its impact on pupils
The following are some ways in which the Governing Body impact on the strategic management of the school:
School Improvement Development Plan (SIDP)
Governors work co-operatively with the head teacher and senior management in the writing and monitoring the School Improvement and Development Plan (SIDP). The SIPD sets aims for the school. The current SIDP is based on priorities identified from data, school-evaluation and Ofsted priorities. The SIDP is set out with clear aims, the key tasks which will be completed in order to achieve these aims and the success criteria in order to measure outcomes. The SIDP is monitored and reviewed termly, with an evaluation overview being completed and presented to governors within the HT report.
Governor Visits
The Governors are invited to visit the school as part of their monitoring of the SIDP and of specific issues. Guidance in terms of the roles and responsibilities of statutory link governors are provided to relevant governors and regular training is available in order to up skill our team.
Data Analysis
Data is made available to governors through termly meetings with verbal and written presentations followed by question and answer sessions with the head teacher and members of the senior management team. Governors are able to benchmark their data against similar schools, the Local Authority and schools nationally to ensure the schools standards and expectations are high and are able to be closely scrutinised. Particular scrutiny is placed on pupil progress across all ability groups including vulnerable groups and on the effective use of the Pupil Premium. Yearly data is also produced on our school website.
Policies
Governors review all relevant policies on a programmed basis to ensure that all guidance is current and up to date. Specific attention is paid to ensure the school complies with the Department of Education mandatory policy list and the Local Authority recommended list.
Financial Management
Members of the governing body have been trained in School Finance Management. The impact of the governors’ role in the school ensures that the budget is managed effectively and improvements are effective and continuous. Governor expertise – the governors bring a wide variety of expertise to the school and this helps to ensure the school is moving forward.
Governor Meeting Attendance
Governor attendance has been of a good level, with absences explained and approved by the Governing Body. There are no causes for concern at the level of commitment shown by any member of the Governing Body.
Review
The Governing Body, the head teacher and all members of staff are constantly striving to improve and develop the school. The school continues to be successful with ongoing improvement in pupil progress and attainment which reflects a whole school drive to constantly raise standards.
Future Plans for 2023-24
Please see our current SIDP.