Our Governors
Heath Fields Primary School and Church Broughton Primary School entered into a formal federation of schools The Dove Federation on 1st September 2021. The governing bodies of both Heath Fields and Church Broughton have been dissolved a new governing board, overseeing both schools under the federation, has been formed.
The aim of our Governing Board is to ensure that all our pupils make good progress and achieve to the best of their abilities whilst they are attending our school. For this to happen, the Governing Board appreciate that pupils must be supported by staff who are motivated, enthusiastic, highly effective and valued. Staff are expected to work together to create a safe, supportive, stimulating environment. Governors are also aware of the expectations of parents and their need to be satisfied about the leadership and management of the school in terms how it impacts on safeguarding, teaching, learning and behaviour.
The Governing Board continually evaluates the role it has played within the life of the school, and will publish relevant information to all interested parties. Minutes of all Governor Meetings are available in the school office.
Each governor brings a specific set of skills to the Governing Board. Where a vacancy arises, careful consideration is made to the types of skills required from an individual to complement the rest of the Governing Board.
The Governing Board has three core strategic functions which are:
Ensuring Clarity of Vision, Ethos & Strategic Direction
Governors are responsible for ensuring the school has a clear, purposeful and aspirational strategic framework in which priorities are identified then monitored for their progress, outcomes and impact. They are also responsible for instilling a school ethos based on high expectations for behaviour, progress and attainment of all pupils as well as expecting high levels of professional conduct for staff and governors.
Holding the Headteacher to Account for the Educational Performance of the School and its Pupils
Governors must provide challenge to the school and hold the headteacher to account for improving the quality of teaching, learning and school performance. They do this through questioning, regular monitoring and analysis of data. Governors hold the headteacher to account for the performance management of teachers. The headteacher’s performance management is conducted by governors.
Overseeing the Financial Management of the School and Making Sure its Money is Well Spent
Governors look at financial statements and ask questions to ensure that the school makes efficient use of its budget and provides best value for money. They carry out benchmarking exercises to enable them to compare our school with other, similar schools.
The Governing Board has a programme of meetings throughout the school year. The work of the Governing Board is captured in approved minutes which are available on the school’s website.
Each term the Governing Board considers:
- Standards of attainment and progress of all year groups and groups of children across the school
- Attendance and Punctuality
- Staffing
- CPD opportunities
- Behaviour
- Finance
- Health and Safety
- Review of the School Improvement Plan and the School’s Self Evaluation
- Policy Review
- Parental Links
- Safeguarding Issues
Governors are committed to improving their own performance and skills and the following training opportunities have been attended by various governors:
- Ofsted—Getting to Good and Staying There
- Safeguarding training alongside school staff
- GDPR
- Monitoring & Evaluation
The following are some of the ways in which the Governing Board impact on the strategic management of the school.
School Improvement Plan (SIP)
Governors work co-operatively with the headteacher in the writing and monitoring of the School Improvement Plan. The School Improvement Plan identifies the priorities for the school in the upcoming year. The current SIP is based on priorities identified from data, school self-evaluation and Ofsted priorities. The SIP is set out with clear aims, the key tasks which will be completed in order to achieve these aims and the success criteria in order to measure outcomes. The SIP is monitored and reviewed termly, with an evaluation overview being completed and presented to governors.
Governor Visits
The governors are invited to visit the school as part of their monitoring of the SIP and of specific issues. Guidance in terms of the roles and responsibilities of governors are provided and regular training is available where appropriate. All governors report back to the Governing Board after every visit to school.
This year, visits have included:
- Discussion with pupils about being a Church of England School
- Discussion with pupils about problem solving
- Discussion with pupils about Safeguarding
- Scrutiny of English books
- Evaluation of the work of subject leaders
Data Analysis
Data is made available to governors through termly meetings with verbal and written presentations followed by question and answer sessions with the head teacher and where appropriate, other members of staff. Governors are able to benchmark their data against schools within the Local Authority and schools nationally to ensure the school’s standards and expectations are high. Particular scrutiny is placed on attainment and pupil progress across all ability groups including vulnerable groups. This includes monitoring of the effective use of Pupil Premium funding.
Policy Review
Governors review all relevant policies on a programmed basis to ensure that all guidance is current and up to date. Specific attention is paid to ensure that the school complies with the Department of Education mandatory policy list and the Local Authority recommended list. Where appropriate, policies are signed by all staff and governors and placed on the website if necessary.
Financial Management
The impact of the governors’ role in the school ensures that the budget is managed effectively and improvements are effective and sustainable.
Recruitment
At least one member of the Governing Board has received Safer Recruitment training. They are present whenever an appointment is made by the school.
Specific Responsibilities
There is always one member of the Governing Board with a specific responsibility for safeguarding, anti-bullying and SEND.
Governor Meeting Minutes
Minutes of all Full Governor Meetings and Committee Meeting are available upon request from the school office.
Governor Meeting Attendance
Governor attendance has been of a very good level, with any absences having been fully explained and accepted and approved by the governing body. There are no causes for concern at the level of commitment shown by any member of the governing body.
Contacting the Governing Board
All governors may be contacted through the school office.
Members of our Governing Body
Mark Whyman Executive headteacher
Mrs Laura Bell Parent governors
Mr Gavin Wilson
Mrs Lucy Charlton Foundation governors
Mr Paul Vernon
Mrs Vickie Melling LA governor
Mrs Claire Perrett Staff governor
Mr Gary Pykitt Co-opted governors
Ms Sarah Rea
Mrs Lucy Watson
Mrs Carrina Gaunt
Mr Matt Thompson
Mrs Sophie McBride Associate governors
Mr Andrew Rudge
Mr Gary Pykitt Chair of governors
Vacancy Vice chair of governors
contact email address for the chair of governors: gary.pykitt@churchbroughton.derbyshire.sch.uk
Committees
Resources and Finance Chair - Mr Vernon
Teaching and Learning Chair - Mrs Melling
Resources/Finance Committee Teaching & Learning Committee
Mrs Bell Mrs Charlton
Mr Wilson Mrs Mellin
Mr Vernon Miss Rea
Mrs Gaunt Mr Pykitt
Mr Thompson Mrs Watson
Mrs Perrett
Mr M Whyman, Mrs S McBride & Mr A Rudge are also members of both committees.