The Role of the Governing Body

The Governing Body is responsible for ensuring that the school strives for and achieves excellence in its quality of teaching for learning. This is defined by the Department for Education as:

1. Ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction
2. Holding the head teacher to account for the educational performance of the school and its pupils, and the performance management of staff
3. Overseeing the financial performance of the school and making sure money is well spent.

The Governing Body works with the Head Teacher and the school team to build a common vision and purpose for the school. Together we decide the school's strategy for improvement so that pupils learn most effectively and achieve the highest standards. This is documented in the School Development Plan, which sets out the priorities for the school for the next 1-3 years. 

Governors focus on where they can add most value, drawing on their own knowledge and experience. They act as a critical friend to the school, providing support, information and advice as well as asking challenging questions and pressing for improvements.

If you need to contact the Governing Body please email: chairofgovernors@sendcofe.co.uk

Governing Body Meetings

As Governors, we do this by meeting as the full Governing Body each term to look at:

• what has been achieved against the School Development Plan
• information received about the school
• ensuring our statutory duties are being met
• challenging the school and ourselves
• ensuring the strategic direction of the school will meet all pupils’ needs

The Governing Body has a flat structure, where Governors attend all meetings.

 

Governors Fund

The Governors Fund – your questions answered
Each year we ask our parents and carers to make a contribution of £10 per term or £30 per annum to the Governor’s Fund.

What is the Governors’ Fund?
As a Voluntary Aided School, one of the responsibilities of the Governors is the upkeep of the school premises, including ongoing maintenance, any major building projects and other school improvements that are required. These are not covered by the budget from the local authority, so the school pays an annual contribution to the Guildford Diocesan Board of Education, who help us maintain and improve the building. This annual contribution is like an insurance policy and gives us access to funds to pay for bigger projects like roof repairs, upgrading IT systems and making improvements to classrooms.

Why does the school need a Governors’ Fund?
The school is legally obliged to have this fund.

Why do parents need to pay into it?
The Governors’ Fund has to pay 10% towards all works carried out on school buildings, grounds developments and IT infrastructure. There needs to be enough money to ensure necessary improvements to the school can be made as required, or when lucky enough to secure extra funding from other sources. There also needs to be a contingency fund for any unforeseen or emergency maintenance. 

What has the Governors Fund paid for recently?
Recent purchases and work has been in the interest of further safeguarding your children and includes:

• New boiler in KS1 building
• Replacement/Refurbishment of toilets in KS1
• Support with new IT infrastructure throughout the school

What will Governors’ Fund pay for going forward?

• The flat roof in  needs completely renewing. This fund will help support the replacement of the roof and any associated works. 
• We will also continue to upgrade our IT technology so that we have chromebooks available in all classes. 

How do I contribute to the Governors’ Fund?

• Once a term we will ask parents and carers for a voluntary contribution of £10 per family per term or £30 annually to help us support projects around the school.
• If you cannot afford a contribution at this time, we are very grateful for any contribution that you are able to make.
• We greatly appreciate all voluntary contributions received, whatever the amount, as they help us to enhance and develop the learning environment for all children attending our school.
• Your Governors’ Fund contribution can be paid via the Arbor App under the ‘payments’ tab, or directly to the Governor Fund bank account:
  • Send Primary School Governors Fund
  • Account Number: 59947292 Sort Code: 60-09-21
• As a Diocesan school, we are able to benefit from Gift Aid from your contribution, which means we are able to claim 25p for every pound donated. Please return any Gift Aid forms to Mrs Ann Jonstone, School Business Manager.

Thank you for your support.
The Governing Body.