Governors play a key role in the life of Laurel Avenue Community Primary School.

MEET OUR GOVERNORS

The work of Laurel Avenue’s Governors is carried out through meetings of the full Governing Board and its two committees:

Finance and Premises Committee. Responsible for setting and monitoring the budget for the school, and overseeing the financial management of the school., Premises and Personnel; and Curriculum Committee, which deals with pupil matters, curriculum and attainment.

Curriculum and Standards Committee. Responsible for reviewing the curriculum related policies of the school, and ensuring that the school’s Self Evaluation is conducted appropriately and development plans implemented. Responsible for monitoring safeguarding, health and safety, nutritional standards, and the Accessibility Plan. This committee also monitors all SMSC across school, including anti-bullying and effective pupil groups such as the School Council.

 

Governors do not manage the school – that is the role of the Headteacher.  The Governors aim to support her in doing this but do not shy away from being a ‘critical friend’ and asking searching questions.

 

Role of the Governors

Governors are responsible for the strategic vision of the school and for supporting the Headteacher and her staff in achieving that vision.  Governors have responsibility for appointing the Headteacher, managing the school’s budget, setting annual targets and monitoring performance against those targets, all in the interest of raising standards of achievement.  In addition to these statutory responsibilities, governors monitor the impact of policies and do a wide variety of other things, either through formal committee activity or through personal involvement with the day-to-day life of the school.

The Governing Board may also be called upon to consider complaints from parents/carers.

Whilst the role is a voluntary one, the Governing Board expects all governors and prospective governors to be aware of the time commitment required to be an effective governor. Primarily, that commitment arises from:

• Attending meetings of the Governing Board (minimum of one per term)
• Membership of either the Finance and Premises Committee (1 per term) or Curriculum and Standards Committee (1 per term)
• Undertaking training courses relevant to the role of a governor
• Having a link to a particular class and undertaking class visits to see the School Development Plan in action
• Having a particular area of responsibility such as finance, safeguarding or an area of the curriculum

 

Policies

The governors are responsible for setting and monitoring many of the school's policies.

POLICIES

 

Who are the Governors?

Laurel Avenue’s Governing Board comprises  of 9 members, as follows: Two Parent Governors, one Authority Governor appointed by the Local Authority, one Staff Governor appointed by a ballot of staff, one Headteacher Governor, four Co-opted Governors appointed by the Governing Board themselves.

The members come from all sections of the community and each brings different experience and skills to the Governing Board.  The Governors have a common interest in education and want to make a positive contribution to education of pupils at Laurel Avenue.

Our Governing Board meetings are usually held after school. Governors attend training sessions to help them to keep up to date with changes in schools and education and to help them to do their job effectively.

 

F.   Full Governing Board Meeting (3 per year)

Learning, Teaching and Achievement Committee (3 per year) Chair: Helen Blakey

Finance and Premises Committee (3 per year) Chair: Katie Corrigan

Community and SMSC (Social, Moral, Spiritual and Cultural) (3 per year) Chair: Claire Linfoot

/ : not a member of that committee

A: Apologies sent

R: Resigned

 

Resigned 2023

Fay Brice

 

 

Full Governing Board Terms of Reference 

Strategic Leadership and Accountability:

· In collaboration with school leaders determine a clear and explicit vision for the future. Ensure this is communicated to the whole organisation.

· Set strong and clear values and ensure these are embedded across the organisation and adhered to.

· Determine the strategic direction for the school.

· Monitor that school leaders are keeping up with their statutory duties in relation to the maintenance of the Single Central Record(SCR)

· Monitor and evaluate pupil progress and attainment by receiving reports and information from the Headteacher and other school leaders; compare against national and local benchmarks over time.

· Receive reports from committees, working parties or individuals and agree actions.

· Approve the SEF and monitor throughout the year.

· Approve the School Improvement Plan priorities and monitor throughout the year progress towards agreed actions.

· Review and agree the school’s Continuity Plan annually.

· Ensure there is a transparent system for performance management of all staff which is clearly linked to the school’s priorities. Have oversight of staff performance throughout the year.

· Ensure there are mechanisms in place to listen to and respond to the views of parents/carers, pupils, staff, local communities and employers.

· Agree recruitment process to be followed in relation to Senior Leader posts; where delegated ratify appointments.

· Final approval of the annual budget plan.

· Monitor the school’s budget throughout the year.

· Agree virement and expenditure limits for the Headteacher.

· Hold at least 3 meetings each academic year. Ensure that committee meetings are held in accordance with the agreed terms of reference.

People and Structures:

· Elect and/or remove Chair of Governors and Vice Chair of Governors.

· Appoint Committee Chairs or delegate to each committee.

· Consider and agree delegation of functions to individuals or committees.

· Agree committee terms of reference and membership.

· Establish a register of Governors business interests

· Ensure Governors information on the Get Information About Schools (GIAS) register and the school website is up to date and compliant with current requirements.

· Confirm the Instrument of Government and subsequent amendments.

· Appoint Co-opted, Local Authority and where necessary Parent Governors to the Board.

· Review and monitor the Governor Induction Process.

· Have regard for Governors professional development.

· Where necessary, suspend or remove Governors from the Board.

· Appoint/dismiss the Clerk to the Governing Board.

Compliance and Evaluation:

· Consider business provided by Local Authority and other sources

· Suspend or end suspension of staff members.

· Ensure all statutory policies are in place and there is an effective policy review cycle.

· Review and agree the Governor Code of Conduct.

· Confirm arrangements for completion of a Governor Skills Audit.

· Ensure there is regular self-evaluation and review of individual’s contribution to the Board as well as the Board’s overall operation and effectiveness.

· As necessary, consider an external review of the Board’s effectiveness.

· Ensure school website is up to date and compliant with current DfE requirements.

 

1. Curriculum and Standards Committee Terms of Reference 

Strategic direction and statutory areas:

· Review, monitor and evaluate the curriculum offer.

· Contribute to the development and monitoring of the:

- SEF

- School Improvement Plan

- Targets for school improvement including SSG where appropriate

· Develop and review policies identified within the school’s policy review programme and in accordance with its delegated powers (e.g. RHSE and pupil discipline/behaviour).

· Ensure that the school’s policy on SEND is consistent with the Code of Practice and Equalities Act, most recent KCSIE updates and receive termly reports from the Headteacher/SENDCo and an annual report from the SEND Governor.

· Ensure the SEND Policy is monitored and reviewed regularly and that the policy is known to parents/carers.

· Ensure the school complies with the provisions of the Equalities Act 2010.

· Where necessary ensure that the 14-19 curriculum is broad-based and provides vocational training as well as academic qualifications.

· Where necessary ensure that all pupils have access to independent careers advice.

Curriculum and Improvement

· Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of leadership and management in relation to curriculum design, implementation and impact.

· Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of curriculum design

· Monitor and evaluate the school’s own assessment of the impact of the curriculum for all groups of pupils to include Reading in all key stages

· Monitor and evaluate the quality of education and the impact of the curriculum including RHSE

· Monitor and evaluate the impact of continuing professional development on improving staff performance

· Monitor and evaluate provision for all groups of vulnerable children e.g. children looked after and children in need and ensure all their needs have been identified and addressed.

· Monitor and review impact of Pupil Premium, Sports Premium, Early Years Premium, Catch Up / Recovery Premium.

· Set priorities for improvement and monitor and evaluate the impact of improvement plans which relate to the committee’s area of operation.

· Receive reports from external sources and agree actions to address recommendations; monitor and evaluate progress made.

· Ensure all children have equality of opportunity.

· Monitor pupils’ attitudes, values and development of other personal qualities within the school through the provision of RHSE.

Behaviour, Development and Well-Being:

· Ensure the school is fulfilling its responsibilities regarding safeguarding and child protection and the requirements of ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education’

· Ensure Safeguarding policies are adhered to; monitor and review all safeguarding policies/procedures within school.

· Monitor and review data on behaviour, bullying, peer on peer abuse, attendance, suspensions and exclusions.

· Ensure school is fulfilling its responsibilities with regards to pupils accessing alternative provision.

· Ensure that adequate provision is made for pupil transition.

Engagement:

· Monitor the school’s publicity, public presentation and relationships with parents/carers and the wider community.

· Identify and celebrate pupil achievements.

· Oversee and monitor arrangements for out of hours provision, extra-curricular activities and educational visits including overnight stays.

· Ensure all statutory requirements for reporting and publishing information are met.

· Review and monitor the school’s website to ensure that it is accessible and fully compliant with current DfE requirements.

· Ensure the school works well with its community, parents and other schools.

 

2. Finance and Premises Committee Terms of Reference 

·In conjunction with the Headteacher to draft and propose the first formal budget plan of the financial year for approval by the full Governing Board.

·Establish and maintain an up-to-date three year financial plan, taking into account priorities in the School Improvement Plan, roll projection and signals from central Government and the LA regarding future years’ budget.

· Ensure that priorities detailed within the School Improvement Plan are appropriately costed and are reflected in the annual budget.

· Monitor the capital and revenue budget position statements to identify and address any anomalies from the anticipated position and report termly to the full Governing Body.

· Review and monitor outstanding debts and action taken.

· Review and monitor Direct School Meals Provision by income and expenditure statements.

· Review the year end outturn report.

· Monitor and approve virements and expenditure over the Headteacher’s delegated limit.

· Appraise and approve spending decisions where competitive quotations or tenders are required.

· Ensure the school operates within the financial regulations of the Local Authority and the requirements of the DfE Schools Financial Value Standard (SFVS).

· Approve annually the Schools Financial Value Standard (SFVS) submission prior to the 31 March deadline.

· Review Related Party Transaction Register.

· Monitor the implementation of any identified actions in the SFVS submission.

· Confirm management arrangements for the Private School Fund and nominate an officer to administer the fund (Treasurer).

· Appoint an Auditor for the Private School Fund.

· Monitor expenditure of all voluntary funds held on behalf of the Governing Body and receive an audited annual statement of income and expenditure.

· Annually review the outcomes of the asset register stock check and approve the disposal of obsolete items.

· Oversee use and monitor impact of the Early Years Premium, Pupil Premium, PE and Sports Premium, Catch-Up Premium and Recovery Premium

· Review and monitor all financial policies including lettings, charging and remissions and expenses policies.

· Consider and promote income generation.

· Annually review income generated from contracts and lettings; oversee the use of premises by outside users.

· Where necessary, monitor and review Extended Care provision including review of annual income and expenditure statements where applicable.

· Ensure all appropriate insurances are in place.

· Annually review and approve the school’s Financial Procedures Manual.

· Monitor service level agreements annually and make decisions in respect of service level agreements ensuring value for money.

· Make decisions on expenditure following recommendations from other committees for example collaborative working arrangements with other schools and/or bodies to ensure value for money.

· Ensure as far as is practical that health and safety issues are appropriately funded in accordance with agreed priorities.

· Annually review financial benchmarking data.

· Monitor the implementation of actions arising from the Internal Audit report or of a financial nature from other inspection regime reports.

· Ensure any instances of fraud or financial irregularity are reported immediately to the Head of Education and Skills and Chief Internal Auditor and Corporate Fraud Manager.

Premises:

· Establish, review and monitor the Health and Safety Policy ensuring that the school meets health and safety requirements.

· Ensure actions are taken in respect of relevant health and safety legislation.

· Ensure that premises and the learning environment are maintained and are fit for purpose.

· Provide support and guidance for the Headteacher and Governing Board on all matters relating to the maintenance and development of the premises and grounds, including health and safety.

· Ensure that an annual inspection of the premises and grounds is undertaken and a report received identifying any issues. Inform the Governing Body of the report and set out a proposed order of priorities for maintenance and development for the approval of the Governing Board.

· Ensure professional surveys and emergency works are arranged as necessary.

· Oversee the use of premises by outside users.

· Establish and keep under review an Accessibility Plan and an Asset Management/ Building Development Plan.

· Monitor data on accidents and incidents.

 

Interested in becoming a Governor?

The personal qualities that our Governing Board looks for in selecting governors include strategic awareness, individual responsibility, sound judgement, effective communication skills, confidentiality and the ability to work as part of a team.  If you are interested in becoming a governor now or in the future, please speak to Gaynor Davison (Headteacher) or Claire Linfoot (Chair of Governors).

When vacancies arise for Co-opted Governors, the Governing Board is responsible for the identification and selection of its members. We will identify and select prospective governors by, firstly, identifying any skills gaps among the current membership.

Parent and Staff Governors are advertised in the school community and if there are more nominations than vacancies a ballot will be held.   If no parent governor nominations are forthcoming, the governing board has a duty to appoint a parent governor.

 

Useful Links:

Durham County’s Governors’ website:

WWW.DURHAM.GOV.UK

 

National Governors’ Association:

WWW.NGA.ORG.UK