Role of the Governing Body

Our Purpose: Improving the quality of education and standards of achievement for St John’s children.

The Governing Body answers for its actions to parents and the wider local community for the school’s performance. It is accountable for holding the leadership to account within the Ofsted judgements and the Church of England framework. We achieve this through our goals and by being challenging and supportive to the school.

Goal 1: Setting Strategic Direction	Goal 2: Creating Accountability	Goal 3: Ensuring Financial Correctness
Ensure clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction Working alongside colleagues in the school Setting high standards and targets for improvement Planning, developing polices and school review Engaging all relevant people Meeting statutory duties and changing threats Not intervening in the day-to-day management of the school unless weaknesses are identified Looking outward for local, national and international trends in order to make effective decisions	Achievement and progression (raising standards) Quality of teaching, behaviour and safety Leadership and management Church distinctiveness Recruitment of senior staff Performance management of the Head Teacher Contributing to the school self-evaluation	Ensuring money is wisely spent Use of pupil premium to overcome barriers to learning

What this means:

Governors know their school; its strengths and weaknesses; to hold senior leaders to account for all aspects of the school’s performance through rigorous planning and controls to ensure effective and efficient management of the school’s resources to deliver high expectations for children’s learning and development.

How we achieve this:

To act in the best interests of the school - balancing short and long term school and community challenges
To work as a member of a team at all times and be loyal to collective decisions and transparent
To recognise that all Governors have the same rights and responsibilities and that no Governor can act alone
Respect confidentiality, listen to and respect the views of others and involve the right people in our decisions
Taking a fair share of work/positions of responsibility and bringing the right skills on a voluntary basis
Governors are held to account by strict terms of reference and selection processes and through regular training

Our meetings:

Every two weeks the Chair meets with the Head to discuss progress and to provide support and tour the school
Once a term the Full Governing Body meet to review pupil progress, including vulnerable groups, discuss budgets, review health and safety and to provide updates
Termly each Governor visits the school to observe teaching in all subjects and discuss progress with management
At least annually Pay and Admissions Committees meet to review and plan
Support as required e.g. PTA, Parent Forums and Meet the Head sessions, meeting the School Business Manager

Governors’ funds:

As a voluntarily aided school parents are encouraged to contribute a small amount annually. The fund is transparently and carefully managed by Governors and annually is independently audited. Funds are used to support the above objectives.

Contacting us:

It is normal practice to raise questions or concerns with your Teacher or the School Leadership team and thereafter the Chair of Governors. We aim to respond quickly to all correspondence. We welcome contact via clerk@stjohnscofe.uk