Langley Fitzurse

Church of England Primary School

Langley Fitzurse

Church of England Primary School

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Governing body

Governors

The Langley Fitzurse Stanton St Quintin Federation is looking for new governors to join the team. We currently have two vacancies for Governors, one Co-opted and one Foundation. Co-opted governors are community governor roles elected by the Governing Board to meet specific skill needs, and Foundation governors are elected and or approved by the Diocese of Bristol to ensure the school’s Church of England foundation is preserved and developed.

Being a governor is a rewarding way of making a voluntary contribution to the lives of the young people in our community.

Governors do not run the school day to day, as their role is at the strategic or policy-making level in the school. You do not have to be an expert on education to be a school governor.

We are currently looking for people with skills in public relations/marketing to assist our federated schools in building relationships with the local community. The visibility and profile of the schools and ultimately the numbers of pupils on roll are critical to the sustainability of small schools. While this is a focus, for the time being we are seeking all volunteers to support the board in a variety of other ways. We value the experience that all governors bring to the role.

If you join our governing body, you will serve for a four-year term. Being a governor does take up time. There are six governing body meetings each year, and governors usually serve on one of the committees which meet once a term. You will need to set aside time to be able to be an effective governor: time to prepare for meetings, for visiting the school and undertaking training.

To find out more about what being a governor is like, please contact Ed Shire (Chair of Governors) at eshire@lfssq.wilts.sch.uk who will be very happy to answer any questions.

The Federated Board of Governors for Langley Fitzurse & Stanton St Quintin Schools

The role of the Board of Governors, as stipulated by the Department for Education, is to:

  • Ensure clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction;
  • Hold the Executive Head Teacher to account for the educational performance of the school and its pupils;
  • Oversee the financial performance of the school and making sure the money is well spent.

The Structure of the Board of Governors

The Board of Governors is made up of 12 governor positions and two associate members, as follows:

  • 2 Parent Governors (elected by the Parents)
  • 1 Local Authority Governor (appointed by the Local Authority)
  • 3 Foundation Governors (appointed by the Diocese)
  • 1 Staff Governor (appointed by the Staff)
  • 1 Executive Head (ex officio)
  • 4 Co-Opted Governors (appointed by the Board of Governors)
  • 2 Associate members (appointed by the Board of Governors)

The Governing Body must act as a corporate body. It must also act with integrity, objectivity, honesty and in the best interests of the school.  The governing body will:

  • Elect the Chair & Vice Chair
  • Approve the school budget
  • Review & agree the School Improvement Plan
  • Agree any general principles on pupil discipline
  • Decide any changes in the times of school sessions
  • Set the Governors’ objectives for the year
  • Ensure all pupils can take part in a daily act of worship

The governing body has a duty to:

  • Hold a meeting at least once a term
  • Consider the LA’s curriculum policy
  • Ensure that the national curriculum is implemented
  • Ensure that RE and daily collective worship are provided

Our Committees

There are 3 committees – Finance & Resources – chaired by Huw Solly, Teaching, Learning & Development – chaired by Adrian Cole, and Christian Distinctiveness – chaired by Katherine Bloomer.  The governing body will determine the membership of these committees and remains accountable for any decisions taken.  The overriding objective of the committees is to work towards an outstanding rating from Ofsted and from SIAMS (statutory Inspections of Anglican & Methodist Schools) at the earliest opportunity, and to maintain that standard.  Towards meeting this objective they will work closely with the full governing body, the school and all stakeholders, including the Church.  With them, they will ensure that the necessary steps are embedded in the School Improvement Plan and the Self Evaluation Form to drive the schools forward.

Our Panels and Working Groups

In order to support the work of the committees, we have the following Panels and Working Groups:

Performance Management Panel

Composed of Chair of Governors, a member from each of the Committees, including a Foundation governor and our School Improvement Partner.  The compliment of this committee will not include members of staff or those with a conflict of interest.  Where this may occur the FGB will appoint another person. This panel undertakes the Executive Headteacher’s annual performance review and recommending any Executive Headteacher’s pay increment.

Appeals/Complaints Panel

Composed of 3 other non staff governors (not from the staffing panel), has the delegated power to hear appeals/complaints, ensure the policy for Appeals and complaints is adhered to and make decisions following a Pay Panel Meeting.

Pay Panel

Comprises 3 members.   This panel meets once a year to approve the result of the Headteacher’s performance review and any recommendation for a salary increment. This panel also approves the pay policy including performance related pay for teachers.

Our Link Governors

In order to better understand key areas of the schools and provide a link between the governing body and staff we have appointed link governors for the following areas:

  • English
  • Maths
  • Science
  • SEND
  • Church/RE
  • Safeguarding
  • Health & Safety
  • Pupil Premium

We will also appoint a Governor of the Term, who will visit both schools in connection with the current FGB focus.

Some of our Responsibilities

FunctionTasks
GB ProceduresTo draw up instrument of government and any amendments thereafter
 To appoint (and remove) the chair, vice-chair and clerk of a permanent or a temporary governing body
 To hold a full governing body meeting at least three times in a school year
CurriculumApprove and monitor curriculum policy
 Approve and monitor sex education policy
 Approve and monitor Special Education Needs (SEN) policy.
 Ensuring that Racial Equality and Cultural Diversity are included in the PSHCE policy
 Approve and monitor charging and remissions policy for activities outside the NC
BudgetsTo prepare and approve formal budget plan for each financial year
 To monitor monthly expenditure.
 To establish a charging and remissions policy
 Miscellaneous financial decisions
 To enter into contracts over £2,000
 Identify budget priorities in school development plan
StaffingHeadteacher appointment, suspension and dismissal
 Approve and monitor pay policy
 Establishing disciplinary /capability procedures
 Determining staff complement
Performance ManagementApprove and monitor performance management policy
 To implement the performance management policy for the Headteacher
Discipline/ ExclusionsApprove and monitor discipline policy
 To review the use of exclusion and to decide whether or not to confirm all permanent exclusions and fixed term exclusions where the pupil is either excluded for more than 15 days in total in a term or would lose the opportunity to sit a public examination.
AdmissionsTo appeal against LA directions to admit pupil(s)
Collective WorshipArrangements for collective worship
PremisesBuildings insurance and personal liability
 Procuring and maintaining buildings, including developing properly funded maintenance plan
 Monitor condition of site and premises. Approve repairs over £1000
Health & SafetyApprove and monitor a health and safety policy as agreed with LA
School OrganisationTo publish proposals to change category of school
Information For ParentsAdoption and review of home-school agreements
School Improvement PlanReview, accept and delegate School Improvement Plan
Extended SchoolsTo decide whether to offer additional activities and to what form these should take