Role of Governors

School Governing Bodies are responsible for working with the school to ensure that it delivers a good quality education.  Together with the headteacher, who is responsible for the day to day management, they set the school’s aims and policies.

Governors have three main roles:

  • To provide strategic direction for the school
  • To ensure financial probity
  • To ensure robust accountability

They also carry out a number of other important duties, which include:

  • Determining how the school’s budget is spent
  • The appointing and dismissing of staff
  • Hearing appeals and grievances
  • Forming policy on the school’s curriculum and collective worship
  • Setting standards for pupils’ behaviour and discipline
  • Making sure school buildings are welcoming and safe
  • Setting and monitoring the school’s aims and policies

Some of these duties are delegated to the following committees, who report back to the Full Governing Body:

Curriculum & Standards – Curriculum, Standards, Behaviour, SEN, Assessment

Resources & Personnel – Finance, Buildings & Grounds, Health & Safety, Staffing, Pay.

 

Chris Slater ( ex Chair of governors) writes:

I was delighted in September 2014, to be elected to serve as Chair of Governors for a second year.  It is a privilege to lead a team of committed volunteers, all determined to support our school.

I am constantly impressed by the wealth of opportunities offered to the children by our teaching team, and by the children’s enthusiasm to make the most of them.

If you were able to attend any of the school events last year, then you will have enjoyed them as much as I did, especially the Christmas event where every child was involved, singing, dancing, reading and playing their instruments.  I was especially moved by the interpretation of the commemoration of the ending of the First World War and the wonderful poppies which each child made.  They gave a powerful message to us all.

Last year, all of year 6 visited London, becoming  actors at the Globe, and discovering what art might mean at the Tate Modern.  Trips like this rely on excellent behaviour to keep everyone safe, and, as ever Calmore children did their school proud.  I so enjoyed my day with them.  They had been well prepared by their teachers, making sure they got the most from the experience.

Governors in school – Have you wondered about becoming a school governor but wanted to know more first?

At Calmore Junior School our governing body is determined to DO OUR BEST FOR SUCCESS, and this does take some time.  This is how it works out:

  • We have 6 meetings a year of the full governing body (FGB)
  • We have 6 meetings of each of our 2 committees.  Governors sit on one committee.
  • Meetings last no more than 90 minutes, often less.
  • Papers for meetings come out a week ahead.  You need a couple of hours to read them, so that you can ask questions and make comments at the meeting.
  • To make sure we really know our school, governors undertake monitoring activities throughout the year.  These include learning walks, discussing how well children are performing, and talking to children and adults.  Governors choose from these options.
  • More experienced governors also take on additional roles, such as safeguarding and monitoring specific budget areas.

If you are interested please contact the Clerk to Governors to arrange an informal chat with the Chair of Governors.

Governors Open Day

Here are some of the findings from our Open Day

  • Children’s demeanour around school, right from the outset, welcoming and respectful to me as a visitor – Chris Slater
  • Children said they feel safe and that adults taught them about internet safety.  Children told me that they learnt about other ways to keep safe including road safety, signs around the school, cycling club, fire safety.  They said adults help them if they have a problem on the playground.  They felt bullying and bad behaviour was dealt with by staff – Di Chamberlain