Role of Governors
The role of the governing body is very much central to the leadership of the school, although often unseen by parents and other members of the community. This statement is one way in which the governors can explain their role in school leadership, the impact they have on school improvement and their activities.
The governing body is made up of a dedicated group of volunteers who invest a large amount of their time for the sole purpose of improving the education experience of each and every child in our school. They come from a variety of backgrounds, some education, some business, some local community; most, though not all, have children currently in our school, or have had children ‘pass through’. Some have been governors, in this school or others, for many years and some have recently joined. All, however, share the same common aim.
The Government have high expectations for school governing bodies and assume that all are highly skilled and motivated individuals who focus on supporting the head teacher and senior leadership team to shape the strategic direction of the school. As governors we are accountable for the performance of our school and we are measured by three core strategic functions:
- Ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction.
- Holding the head teacher and leadership team accountable for the performance of the school and its pupils.
- Overseeing the financial performance of the school by ensuring that money is well spent.
Training
Nottinghamshire County Council provides comprehensive training for governors on a wide variety of topics and at a number of venues across the County, generally in the evening or at weekends. Governors at Bramcote have always taken responsibility for their own training and normally attend workshops on topics related to their own areas of responsibility and degree of experience. Governors are often invited to attend in house staff training events and at least once a year have a whole governor training event in school. This is normally on a current ‘hot topic’ and staff are also invited to attend should they wish. In addition, online training can be accessed from The National College.
The structure of the Governing body at Bramcote Hills Primary
In 2022 the governing body was formally reconstituted and as a result was reduced from 15 members down to 12. Membership consists of parent governors, co-opted governors, staff governors and the head teacher.
2024 saw the appointment of two new parent governors to replace those whose term of office had come to an end. In addition, we were able to recruit three co-opted governors from the local community. All appointments have ensured that the skill set of the governing body is wide, something which is key to a successful governing body.
In addition to the full governing body (which meets once a term or additionally if required), there are three main sub-committees at BHPS: the Finance and General Purposes, the Pupils and Personnel and the Strategic Development.
The responsibilities of each of the above are somewhat self-explanatory but briefly the F&GP keeps an eye on the budget and spending together with the upkeep of the buildings and the grounds, health and safety also comes within their remit. P&P has responsibility for the pupils and staff and main focus of SDC is the academic performance of the school. The sub-committees generally meet twice a term. Additionally there is a Discipline Committee and a Pay Committee who meet as required. Governors generally sit on at least one sub-committee.
During 2023-2024 the F&GP committee has looked at and agreed a very tight budget and continue to monitor spend very closely. The building works have been a focus of the committee. The P&P committee has been active in recruitment and the consultation on the length of the school day. SEND and staff wellbeing continue to be a focus. SDC has spent much of its time looking at and monitoring academic performance, both through in-house, local authority and Ofsted data. E-safety has been discussed throughout the year. The SDC committee focusses on the progress being made with the current School Improvement Plan (SIP)
Full governor meetings have held the head teacher to account through his termly report, looking at all aspects of school life but in particular whole school academic performance, both current and future. Governors also carry out an annual head teacher appraisal, which is monitored through termly meetings. Targets are set which are linked to current school priorities, as are the targets for all members of staff.
Additional governor responsibilities
In addition to participation in the above most governors hold individual responsibilities for specific, usually academic, areas. All make regular visits to school and work closely with the appropriate member of staff.
