Governors

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)
• 3 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
• Computing
• Relationships, Health & Sex Education (RSHE)
• Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS)
• Church/RE
• Safeguarding
• Health & Safety
• Pupil Premium
• Equality & Diversity
• Whistleblowing

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

Function	Tasks
GB Procedures	To 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
Curriculum	Approve 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
Budgets	To 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
Staffing	Headteacher appointment, suspension and dismissal
	Approve and monitor pay policy
	Establishing disciplinary /capability procedures
	Determining staff complement
Performance Management	Approve and monitor performance management policy
	To implement the performance management policy for the Headteacher
Discipline/ Exclusions	Approve 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.
Admissions	To appeal against LA directions to admit pupil(s)
Collective Worship	Arrangements for collective worship
Premises	Buildings 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 & Safety	Approve and monitor a health and safety policy as agreed with LA
School Organisation	To publish proposals to change category of school
Information For Parents	Adoption and review of home-school agreements
School Improvement Plan	Review, accept and delegate School Improvement Plan
Extended Schools	To decide whether to offer additional activities and to what form these should take