Governors Annual Statement

Annual Governance Statement for the Governing Body of

Michael Syddall C of E Primary School – September 2017

Mission Statement

Michael Syddall C of E (Aided) School is a learning community built upon the values of respect, kindness, trust, forgiveness and friendship. Inspired by the Christian Faith, we encourage everyone to embrace life in all its fullness. It is our mission to equip every individual to step into their future with hope, courage and perseverance.

In accordance with the Government’s requirement for all governing bodies, the three core strategic functions of Michael Syddall C of E (Aided) School Governing Body are:

1. Ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction

2. Holding the headteacher to account for the educational performance of the school and its pupils

3. Overseeing the financial performance of the school and making sure its money is well spent

 

Governance Arrangements

The Governing Body of Michael Syddall C of E (Aided) School consists of:

  • Parent Governors (2) – Elected
  • LA Governor (1)
  • Staff Governors (1)
  • Foundation Governors (8)
  • Co-opted Governors (1)

The governing body has a programme of meetings throughout the school year, and a committee structure that focuses on specific areas of governance.

Governing Body Meetings

Autumn Term Time Committee
Tuesday 12 September 2017 4pm School Improvement Committee
Monday 18 September 2017 4pm Resources Committee
Tuesday 26 September 2017 4pm Full Governing Body
Monday 6 November 2017 4pm School Improvement Committee
Monday 4 December 2017 4pm Resources Committee
Tuesday 12 December 2017 4pm Full Governing Body

 

Spring Term Time Committee
Monday 15 January 2018 4pm School Improvement Committee
Monday 26 February 2018 4pm Resources Committee
Tuesday 6 March 2018 4pm Full Governing Body

 

Summer Term Time Committee
Monday 23 April 2018 4pm School Improvement Committee
Monday 21 May 2018 4pm Resources Committee
Monday 9 July 2018 4pm Full Governing Body

Agendas for the meetings will be designed and agreed in partnership with the Headteacher, Chair of Governors and Clerk.

The expectation is that the key focus will be the dominant area for discussion and decision-making.

Attendance Record of Governors

The clerk keeps a record, on behalf of the governing body, of governors’ attendance at meetings, details of attendance can be found at the end of this document and on the school website.

All meetings need to be ‘quorate’ to ensure that decisions can be made.

Work Done in the Governing Body Meetings

Approved minutes of the GB are available in the school office for inspection.

Governor Visits

The governors visit the school as part of their monitoring of the SDP and specific issues. These visits are considered a valuable opportunity for governors to work closely with staff members. In addition, subject governors both monitor and review activities undertaken by subject/phase leaders who follow an agreed code of practice.

The development of a governor monitoring timetable has ensured that governors have an accurate picture about the performance of the school and can support and drive forward school improvement as well as evaluate both current school policies and practice.

Governors regularly attend school open evenings, assemblies, presentations and information evenings including sports and musical events in order to engage with parents and seek their feedback. Furthermore, they actively seek opportunities for our children to be ambassadors for the school both within our community and further afield.

Data Analysis

Data is made available to governors through regular meetings with verbal and written presentations followed by question and answer sessions with the Headteacher and members of the senior leadership team. In addition to this process, link governors meet with subject leaders termly for a subject update which includes scrutiny of the curriculum, standards and data from all year groups in order to heighten their awareness of focus groups and vulnerable areas, whilst maintaining governor knowledge.

Policies

Governors review all relevant policies on a scheduled basis to ensure that all guidance is current, relevant and up to date. Specific attention is paid to ensure that the school complies with the Department of Education mandatory policy list.

Staff Recruitment

The Headteacher and a number of governors are trained in Safer Recruitment.

Governors are involved in the recruitment and selection of all teaching staff and use the appointment process to ensure that high quality staff, who share the schools’ vision statement and aims, are appointed.

Governors work hard to recruit quality teachers and leaders. They have considered a wide range of strategies to ensure that the right staff are appointed to drive forward the actions that are necessary to improve the school.

Financial Management

The governing body has been trained in School Finance management.

The governors work with school staff to achieve ‘The Schools Financial Value Standard and Assurance’ (SFVS) on an annual basis.

The impact of the governors’ role in the school ensures that the budget is well managed and improvements are effective and continuous.

External audits confirm that finances are well managed.

Safeguarding

Governors take responsibility for ensuring that safeguarding arrangements meet current statutory requirements.

They evaluate and review the annual safeguarding audit.

Strategic Planning for the future

Governors work co-operatively with the Headteacher and senior leaders in the writing and monitoring of the School Improvement Plan (SIP). The SIP details aims for the forthcoming year and is based on priorities identified from data, school self-evaluation and Ofsted priorities. The SIP lays out clear strategies and tasks, details who is responsible for carrying these out and the resources required. Monitoring procedures and tasks for the governing body are also included.

The main priorities for school development in 2017 -2018 are:

  • Ensure the best possible progress for all learners (particularly disadvantage &vulnerable pupils)
  • Ensuring ALL teaching is at least good or better
  • Continue to strengthen school leadership to secure outstanding judgement
  • Continue to improve provision in Early Years Foundation Stage

Contacting the Governing Body

Information about the school’s governing body is available on the governors’ page of the school’s website. The Chair of Governors can also be contact via the school admin team at the following address:

Michael Syddall C of E (Aided) School

Noels Court

Mowbray Road

Catterick Village

North Yorkshire,

DL10 7LB

Tel: 01748 818485

E-mail: admin@michael-syddall.n-yorks.sch.uk 

The Michael Syddall C of E (Aided) School Governing Body – Membership

Name

Term of Office Expiry Date

Category

Committee Membership

Position

Mr Graham Bannister 04.04.21 Foundation
Mrs Alex Kilvington 17.05.20 Parent School Improvement
Mr Robert Knowles 31.08.17 Foundation Resources Chair of Governors
Cllr Carl Les 31.08.21 LA Resources          School Improvement
Mrs Jackie McGilp 11.05.19 Co opted Resources
Mrs Alison McHarg Ex-officio Head Teacher Resources          School Improvement
Mrs Susan Nicholson 13.03.21 Foundation Resources          School Improvement
Mr Neil Saunders 21.11.20 Staff School Improvement
Rev Lindsay Southern Ex-officio Foundation School Improvement Chair of School Improvement
Mr Doug Todd 09.02.19 Foundation School Improvement
Mrs Ceri Tucker 09.06.19 Foundation School Improvement
Vacancy Parent
Vacancy Foundation
Vacancy Foundation
Resigned Governors
Mrs Helen Robson 12.01.20 Foundation Resources          School Improvement

Chair of Governors

Resigned July 17

 

In Attendance

Dianne Mousley Clerk

School Improvement

Full Governing Body

 

Panels

  • Staff Discipline Committee
  • Staff Discipline Appeals Committee
  • Pupil Discipline Committee
  • School Complaints Panel

Link Governors

Subject Governor Link Teacher
English Graham Bannister Neil Saunders
Mathematics Robert Knowles Neil Saunders
SEN Doug Todd Alison McHarg
H & S Jackie McGilp Alison Meacher
ChildProtection/ Safeguarding/Prevent Robert Knowles Alison McHarg
Early Years/class Alex Kilvington Vicky Wright
RE/Collective Worship Lindsay Southern Hannah Long
Pupil Premium Carl Les Alison McHarg

Curriculum

(Hist/geog/art/DT)

Graham Bannister

Neil Saunders

(Emma Cable/Steph Smith)

PE/Extended Schs Carl Les Neil Saunders
PSHE/SMSC/BV Carl Les Neil Saunders
RE/CW Rev Lindsay

Alison McHarg

Vicky Wright(Hannah Long)

Computing vacancy Mel Moss
Science Sue Nicholson Jen Bell
Y1 + Y2 Ceri Tucker Rebecca Storey/Emma Cable
Y3 + Y4 Jackie McGilp Aby Graham/Steph Smith
Y5 + Y6 Rev Lindsay Neil Saunders/Mel Moss

Governors’ Attendance Record for 2016 – 2017

Governor Category Full Governing Body Resources Committee School Improvement Committee Comments
Mr Graham Bannister Foundation 100% N/A 100% Appointed June 17
Mrs Alex Kilvington Parent 50% N/A N/A
Mr Robert Knowles Foundation 100% 100% N/A
Cllr Carl Les LA 75% 50% 50%
Mrs Jackie McGilp Co opted 100% 100% N/A
Mrs Alison McHarg Head 100% 100% 100%
Mrs Susan Nicholson Foundation 100% 0% 0% Appointed March 17
Mrs Helen Robson Foundation 33% 75% 100% Resigned July 17
Mr Neil Saunders Staff 66% N/A 100% Elected Dec 16
Rev Lindsay Southern Foundation 75% N/A 100%
Mr Doug Todd Foundation 75% N/A 100%
Mrs Ceri Tucker Foundation 100% N/A 100%