GOVERNORS REPORT TO PARENTS ACADEMIC YEAR 2022- 2023

Our role as governors is wide ranging and requires various skills to carry out our work effectively. The job is voluntary, most governors work full time and bring their skills learnt in the workplace to carry out their role effectively.  We welcomed a new parent governor this year, Ms Maiden and she will bring her perspective as a parent to the board.  We welcome enquiries from all members of the community who would be interested in serving on the Governing Board.

Our core functions include ensuring the school has a clear vision and strategic direction, ensure resources are well managed and hold leaders to account for the quality of education. 

During full and interim governing body meetings held termly, governors have discussed all aspects of school life to ensure that, as stated in our vision statement, ‘ the firm foundations set down through our beliefs, curriculum and teaching will help our children to be successful now and in the future’. Governors have applied an enquiring and inquisitive approach to validate proposals and ensure outcomes could be achieved.  Every governor has a key role to play based on their strengths and experiences.

The attendance of governors at board meetings can be found on the governors section on the school website.

The governors have reviewed policies to ensure they are relevant, are compliant and fit for purpose. At our meetings the headteacher has provided a comprehensive report on the progress made in all areas of school life in order that we can be assured that the policies are being put into practice and are effective.

In September 2022 we welcomed new children and returning children who were full of anticipation and ready to learn.  Induction meetings had been held in the previous July to ensure a smooth transition from their nursery schools and parents were well informed.

An important strategic decision was made to keep seven classes rather than reduce to six classes which would have included a mixed year group.  This stretched the school budget, however it gave the children a real boost to be taught in classes with lower numbers.   By the summer term the numbers on roll in Year 1 had reduced and the three classes were amalgamated into two.  Initially all staff from the original classes supported the amalgamated classes to ensure a smooth transition for the children.  These children will now remain with their peers for Year 2 which will prevent any further disruption.

Holding the head teacher to account for the school’s educational performance is a key role.   Progress made within the School Improvement Plan informs future strategies. Governors have met with relevant members of staff to find out about how improvements are being secured in Early Years, Safeguarding, SEND, Attendance and Curriculum and Standards.  Their finding were reported at termly governors’ meetings where there were opportunities for challenging questions to be asked.

Information from these meetings assisted the Governing Board in the Headteacher’s Performance Management process, where the Headteacher is held to account for the Federation’s progress. The Governors continue to set challenging targets for the Headteacher, guided by the School Improvement Partner, that have a ripple affect across the Senior Leadership Team and teaching staff within both settings.

Governors have focussed on the further development of the Federation through link monitoring roles.  Good practice and professional development has been successfully aligned across the Federation and joint working has ensured best practice across both settings.  Training and support has been given to teachers to ensure they are secure in their roles leading the foundation subjects and informative presentations were given to the governing board.  Early Careers Teachers have been well supported and have successfully completed their first or second year.

An additional teacher was employed with the Recovery Plan funding from the government to provide intervention to help children catch up following disruption to their education during the pandemic and to improve standards.

Governors supported the development of the new SEND Hub on the school site and have been pleased to see the children from the Bridge School using the facility.  Children from the Hub have visited school for different activities.

A further key role for Governors is ensuring financial resources are well spent. Budgets have been closely monitored and scrutinised to ensure spending is aligned to school development priorities in order that the curriculum can be taught effectively. Governors have an in-depth working knowledge of the school’s budget and income streams.  Unfortunately, due to the government not funding the teaching and support staff pay increase through an increase in schools funding formula, the budget at the end of the financial year showed a shortfall.  This overspend along with anticipated falling numbers of school pupils will mean that governors have to find ways to balance the budget next financial year, without affecting the quality of education the children receive.  We will continue to work with the Local Authority to ensure that budget planning is sustainable in the long term.  Governors have ensured that the annual budget was set and submitted to the Local Authority on time.  Governors seek opportunities to challenge best value through their finance meetings and full Governing Board meetings.

Safeguarding is at the heart of all governor monitoring and is an embedded culture across the Federation.  Governors monitored and reviewed safeguarding policies and procedures, including risk assessments.  Training has ensured that all governors understand their responsibilities in respect of safeguarding.  The governor with responsibility for safeguarding has taken part in the completion of the Section S175/157 Safeguarding Audit and an external audit by the Local Authority in the summer term which validated the school’s audit.

Governor training equips governors with the knowledge to provide strategic challenge to test and assure themselves that the policies and practices in place are effective and support the delivery of a robust whole school approach.  Governors have attended training courses or events focussing on safer recruitment, managing school finance, specific safeguarding updates, Ofsted, keeping children safe on-line and information on their key roles eg music.

Governors have observed a culture of wellbeing in school.  Mental health and wellbeing of both children and adults in school is a high priority and there is a wealth of information available for staff to access.  Feedback from a recent questionnaire confirmed that staff feel that adult and children’s mental health is valued.  They feel supported and would know who to approach with any issues.

Governors were invited into school to help with Sports Day and see an end of year assembly.  It was a delight to see children enjoying themselves and to meet with parents.  Governors recognise the efforts and good work of all staff in contributing to the success of the federation. Thank you to all children, parents and the communities we serve that make the federation flourish.

Gill Stubbs

Chairperson of Governors