At the most recent meeting of the full Governing Body, on 13th September 2023, the following discussions/decisions took place:

• Chair of Governors, Vice Chair of Governors and Clerking appointments were made.
• Link governor roles were agreed.
• Governor monitoring visits were planned for.
• The school priorities, set by the Headteacher, were approved.
• A date was agreed for the full Governing Body to carry out self-evaluation and set priorities for the forthcoming academic year.
• Governing Body communication with parents was discussed.
• Governing Body meeting dates for the year were agreed.

Our dedicated team of governors help make important decisions about the running of the school:

• Mr Daniel Downes, Chair of Governors, Chair of Teaching & Learning Committee, Foundation and SEND Governor
• Mr Matthew Graham, Vice Chair of Governors, Foundation, Behaviour Governor and Health & Safety Governor
• Mrs Gillian Ellis, Headteacher Ex-officio Governor
• Mrs Fiona Trewartha, Foundation, Looked After and Pupil Premium Governor
• Mr Garry Taylor, Foundation, Wellbeing Governor
• Ms Jennifer Bracegirdle, Staff Governor
• Mrs Amanda Nellist, Parent, Safeguarding Governor, Web Filter Monitoring Governor
• Mr David Bougler, Parent and Curriculum Governor
• Mrs Susan Brown, Chair of Finance Committee, Foundation Governor
• Mrs Karen Stanton, Diocesan Governor

The three core functions of effective governance:

• Ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction;
• Holding executive leaders to account for the educational performance of the organisation and its pupils, and the effective and efficient performance management of staff; and
• Overseeing the financial performance of the organisation and making sure its money is well spent.

The main duties and responsibilities of a Governor are to:

• Know and support the aims of the school, its mission statement and ensure that these are achieved.
• Determine the overall direction and development of the school through good governance and clear strategic planning.
• Promote and develop the school in order for it to grow and maintain its relevance in society.
• Ensure that the school and its representatives function within the legal and regulatory framework of the sector and in line with the school’s governing document.
• Act in the best interest of the school, beneficiaries and future beneficiaries at all times.
• Maintain sound financial management of the school’s resources, ensuring expenditure is in line with its objectives, and investment activities meet accepted standard and policies.
• Assist in the interviewing, appointing and monitoring of the work and activities of the senior staff.
• Maintain absolute confidentiality about all sensitive/confidential information received in the course of governors’ responsibilities to the school, and to accord with the conflicts of interest policy.
• Contribute his or her expertise to the discussions of the Governing Body.

The full governing body meets once per term.  In addition we have several sub committees that meet on a regular basis.

Diversity Statement

As a school we recognise that a diversity of thought, voices and perspectives is essential to good governance and the effective running of any organisation.  We collect diversity information from our governors and depending on current data, can use this to:

• target recruitment to address gaps in experience and diversity
• develop and adapt board practices to ensure full participation
• prioritise training and awareness raising in identified areas
• address potential 'blind spots' through seeking wider advice and perspectives on current and upcoming opportunities, challenges and risks.

However, we are currently unable to publish this information as it would mean that individual members of the governing body are identifiable.