Given the close relationship between the school finances and the primary areas of expenditure (staffing and our school buildings), these aspects of the school are led by a single, co-ordinated committee. The principal functions of that committee are outlined below:

Staffing:

• Agree staffing levels and make appointments
• Responsible for redundancies and dismissals
• Decide levels of pay
• Oversee performance management
• Responsible for the performance management of the Headteacher
• Ensure on-going teacher development and training
• Review policies regarding supply staff and class room cover and the induction process for teachers.

Finance:

• Manage the school budget
• Make sure accurate accounts are kept
• Determine pay policy in accordance with School Teachers’ Pay and Conditions

Premises:

• Update the Full Governing Body on Health and Safety issues
• Manage the school premises
• Oversee and update the school’s maintenance plan

The committee is chaired by Ben Hamer.

The Curriculum Committee is an overarching committee for the development of many policies and procedures in the school, and is fundamental to the school's commitment to providing the best possible teaching and learning. The committee confirms and monitors the following activities:

• The National Curriculum is implemented in a broad and balanced framework, with reference to the Government's guideline of 'Every Child Matters'.
• Quality of teaching and learning and reports back to the Full Governing Body.
• The progress of Special Educational Needs (SEN) pupils
• Continuous programme of assessment, reporting and monitoring of the School Improvement Plan.
• As a Church of England school, review and revise policies for Collective Worship and R.E. classes

The committee is chaired by Eric Price.

Pupil Welfare ensures that policies are in place that relate to the following areas of school life:

• cultural diversity
• sex education
• behaviour
• health and the safeguarding of our school community

The nature of these policies is such that they have to be legally compliant as well as reflecting the ethos of our school community. Training and development needs for the relevant areas are identified and communicated to the Senior Leadership Team and other committees as appropriate.

The committee is chaired by Nina Jackson, who is also the named Governor for Child Protection. Brenda Sealy is the DT (Designated Teacher) for Child Protection.

This Team comprises the Chair of Governors, Headteacher and the Chairs of each committee. The team covers crosscutting committee issues, important matters of protocol, and the school's ethos. It meets once a term, prior to committee meetings.

CHAIR of GOVERNORS

Ben Hamer leads the governing body and ensures that it fulfils all its statutory responsibilities. He builds the team and leads the Full Governing Body Meetings.

VICE-CHAIR of GOVERNORS

Graham Shingleton acts as the chair when the chair is unavailable.

HEADTEACHER

Rachael Brotherton works in close partnership with the Governing Body and has responsibility for the internal organisation, management and control of the school. She reports regularly to the Governing Body.

THE CLERK

Beccy Santhouse organises and minutes meetings, maintains records of membership, attendance and appointments and also advises the governors on constitutional issues, statutory duties and powers.

  

    Highlighting the  success of the Governing Body
    2009-2010

FINANCE,PREMISES & STAFFING COMMITTEE

FINANCE

✓  Julian Stapleton has attended termly meetings with the Local Authority (LA) County Technician to discuss financial issues and monitor the budget.
✓  Ben Hamer monitors and discusses the monthly finance updates with the Headteacher.

PREMISES

✓  Julian has carried out a successful induction as a new Governor – including the hand over of duties. He is working hard to secure and number of improvements to the premises. (Through the minor and major maintenance works plan).
✓  Julian has attended Health and Safety training with the LA.
✓  Julian has played a key role in the development of a partnership with the site manager at Kingdown School.

STAFFING

✓  Staffing Committee has carefully monitored the induction of new staff – in particular the induction of two newly qualified teachers.
✓  Appointed a new Headteacher through a process that was commended by the Local Authority for its rigour and professionalism.

CURRICULUM COMMITTEE

✓  Have reviewed a number of key School Policies including: Assessment Recording & Reporting, Home & School Agreement, Homework Policy, Marking, Learning Policy, Modern Foreign Languages Policy, More Able, Report Writing, Social, Moral and Cultural Development Policy and the Special Educational Needs (SEN) Policy.
✓  Eric Price (Chair) has successfully passed his Safer Recruitment Training for Governors
✓  Eric Price has led the Lego Robotics club for year 6. The school entered the Annual National Lego Mind Storms Competition in November 2009 at Port Regis. Year 6 with stewardship from Adam Lewis won the coveted Team Prize.
✓  Eric Price has led the successful and popular KNEX club for Year 5 and 6.
✓  Caroline Bourne (SEN Governor) has met members of the Local Authority Support Team for Children with Special Education Needs. Including the school’s Local Education Support Team, Educational Psychologist and Behaviour Support Service.
✓  Caroline Bourne has worked closely with Adam Lewis (the school SENCO – Special Educational Needs Coordinator) to monitor and improve provision for children with Special Educational Needs and to produce a revised detailed SEN policy. ✓  All members of the Curriculum Committee are in school weekly (and often daily!)
✓  Eric has attended meetings with the LA’s School Improvement Partner (SIP) to conduct Performance Management and analyse school data.
✓  Key Priorities from The School Development Plan are reviewed continuously with presentations from staff as follows:

• Assessing Pupil Progress—Oct 2009
• SEN –Nov 2009,
• School Council—Jan 2009
• Broad & Balanced Curriculum-- June 2010

✓  Caroline Bourne has attended a range of relevant training in her SEN Governor role, including:

• The New Governor
• Role and Responsibilities as a Governor
• Safeguarding and Promoting Pupil Welfare
• Admissions and Pupil Discipline
• Community Cohesion
• 'Value for Money' in SEN provision.

PUPIL WELFARE COMMITTEE

✓  Nina Jackson (Chair) led successful Child Protection training for teaching staff in September 2009.
✓  Ongoing updates and reviews of all policies relating to pupil welfare continue throughout the school year.
✓  Nina Jackson has provided considerable support to the school when there has been a concern for a child’s safety or welfare. (Providing expertise and advice).

SENIOR LEADERSHIP TEAM

✓  Ben Hamer, Nina Jackson, Graham Shingleton, Eric Price and John Tomlinson have spent a considerable amount of time preparing and conducting the Headship Interviews.
✓  Ben Hamer (Chair) meets weekly with the Headteacher.

FOUNDATION GOVERNORS

✓  John leads weekly Collective Worship (on a Thursday) alongside our Christian Celebrations – leading worship during Harvest, Remembrance, Christmas, Easter and ANZAC services.
✓  In April, Julian submitted a report on the school for the Parochial Church Council.
✓  Ongoing updates and reviews of all policies relating to pupil welfare continue throughout the school year.
✓  John leads Prayer time with children and families that need support. The Prayer Tree acts as a focus point for this time. Excellent feedback and appreciation from parents.
✓  John has agreed to lend part of his garden to the development of a Vegetable plot for gardening club.
✓  John has supported classes when they have been learning about Christianity in RE lessons – through visits to the Church and through class visits.