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% |