The Governing Body has three strategic functions which are:

• Ensuring clarity of 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.

• 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 systems of teachers. The Headteacher’s performance management is conducted by governors with support and quality assurance.

• Overseeing the financial performance of the school and making sure it is money well spent

Governors look at financial statements and ask questions to ensure that the school makes effective use of its budget and provides best value for money.

Each year the governing body considers:

• Standard of attainment and progress of all year groups and groups of children across the school

• Attendance and punctuality

• Safeguarding and Health and safety

• Regular review of the school development plan and the school’s self-evaluation

The following are some of the ways in which the Governing Body impact on the strategic management of the school:

School Improvement Plan (SIP)

Governors work co-operatively with the head teacher and senior management in the writing and monitoring of the SIP. The SIP sets aims for the school. The current SIP is based on priorities identified from the data, school self-evaluation and Ofsted priorities. The SIP is set out with clear aims, the key tasks which will be completed in order to achieve these aims and success criteria in order to measure outcomes. The SIP is monitored and reviewed termly, with an evaluation overview being completed and presented to Governors within the Headteacher’s report.

Governor visits

Governors are invited to visit the school as part of their monitoring of the SIP 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 regular meetings with verbal and written presentations followed by question and answer workshops with the Head Teacher thus the 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 Pupil Premium to close the gap.

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 that 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. The school's spending is benchmarked against similar schools, the Local Authority and schools nationally to ensure best value is being achieved in the financial decisions made by Governors. Governors prepare and review the SVFS annually to ensure audit regulations are met. 

Safeguarding and Health and Safety

Governors undertook a Safeguarding audit and supported in writing an action plan to tackle the results of the audit.

Governor Meeting Attendance

Governor attendance has been of a very high level, with any absences having been fully explained and accepted 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.  The Governing Body has been reconstituted, streamlining the committee and making the meetings more effective.

Review

The Governing Body, the headteacher and all members of staff are constantly striving to improve and develop the school.