NEWDALE GOVERNING BODY INDUCTION HANDBOOK

Newdale Primary School and Nursery A school of ‘doers, believers and achievers’

September 2015.

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Governors play a significant role in creating a vision that is shared by all members of the school community and is based on input from and consultation with a range of stakeholders. A note to a new governor at Newdale Primary and Nursery School. ( Also see letter to new governors –Appendix 1) Perhaps you are wondering by now why on earth you volunteered to become a governor! The more you read, the more difficult and demanding the job seems to be, but, in time, you will recognise how rewarding it is. It may help you to remember that the purpose of the governing body is to work in partnership with the staff of the school and to act as a ‘critical friend’ to ensure that the pupils receive the very best education possible. If ever you are faced with a difficult decision, close your eyes for a moment and think of the impact on the children. Remember too, that the power and responsibility rests with the governing body as a whole and that, as an individual governor, you only have authority if it is delegated to you by the governing body. In order to improve the quality of the education which the children receive at Newdale the governors and staff must keep asking themselves “How are we doing?” “How are we doing compared with other schools?” and , perhaps most importantly “ How can we do better?” One of the key roles of the governing body is to work with the headteacher and staff to shape the strategic direction of the school. The headteacher is responsible for the day-to-day running of the school and governors should concentrate on the ‘big picture’. The sort of questions which governors should be asking themselves include “What sort of school would we like to see in five years time?” “What do we have to do to get there?” and “How will we know when we get there?” Remember always that governors and staff are partners and that in asking these questions you are seeking to challenge but not to threaten. Teachers educate the children of the community for, and on behalf of, the community. As a governor and as a member of the community you have a responsibility for ensuring that the teachers are doing the very best possible job that they can. You are not expected to be an expert in education; instead you bring down to earth experience, knowledge of community and a commitment to supporting the school. Governor Training The governing body encourages all governors to undertake training. Although it is not compulsory, all governors, however experienced, need training to improve their effectiveness in the role and to keep abreast of developments that may affect their school and ther role as a school governor. There is a wide range of training and support available for governors that is provided by the school, the Local Authority and external providers. Up to date governor training can be found in the ‘Leading to the Future’ magazine which is included each term in the Full Governing Body papers.

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Governors are encouraged to discuss their training needs with the headteacher and chair. What are governing bodies for? The governing body, headteacher and senior management team together constitute the leadership team of the school. The overall purpose of governing bodies is to help schools provide the best possible education for pupils. This involves, in particular their statutory duties:-

How well governors ensure clarity of vision, ethos and and strategic direction.

How well governors contribute to the school’s self evaluation and understand its strengths and weaknesses.

How well governors support and stengthen school leadership.

How well governors provide challenge and support and hold the head teacher and other senior leaders to account for improving the quality of teaching, pupils’ achievement and pupils’ behaviour and safety.

How well governors ensure that the school is accountable to the children and parents it serves and to the local community and to those who fund and maintain it; as well as to the staff it employs.

How well governors use performance management systems, including the performance management of the head teacer, to improve teaching, leadership and management.

How well governors ensure solvency and probity and that financial resources made available to the school are managed effectively.

How well governors operate in such a way that statutory duties are met and priorities are approved.

How well governors engage with key stakeholders.

How well governors use Pupil Premium and other resources to overcome barriers to learning including reading, writing and mathematics.

What are the rewards of being a governor? Schools are fascinating places. Being a governor is very rewarding because you are:

investing in the next generation;

using your personal qualities and expertise to help the school, its pupils and staff;

developing new skills;

acquiring new knowledge, making new friends, developing a sense of partnership and involvement in the community.

What is expected of governors?

to be actively involved in the life of the school

to provide both support and challenge

to attend meetings on a regular basis

to undertake training

to keep up to date by reading what is sent to you and preparing properly for meetings.

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Governing body powers The governng body is recognised in law as a corporate body, which means it has a legal identity separate from that of its governors. It also means that individual governors have no power or right to act on behalf of the governing body except where the whole governing body has delegated a specific duty to that individual. The governing body can also decide to delegate certain responsibilities to committees that it has established. Governors will, therefore, take collective responsibility for the decisions reached by the governing body and be expected to publicly support those decisions. Confidentiality All governing body papers including minutes must be open to inspection by any member of the public unless it has been determined that an item is confidential. That item will be minuted separately. Governors may, at any point in the meeting, request for their discussions to be confidential, which will, of couse, be minuted accordingly. The minutes will not record the way votes have been cast on issues considered by the governing body, but will simply record the decision that has been taken. Dealing with Complaints The school has procedures for dealing with parental/members of the public complaints that tries to ensure that they are dealt with at the lowest appropriate level e.g.the pupil’s teacher. Sometimes that might not be enough and a meeting with the headteacher may be necessary. Should a parent/ member of the public wish to take the complaint further it would be put in writing and addressed to the chair of the governing body who will deal with the complaint in accordance with the governing body’s complaint’s procedure. The best advice we can give is that if you receive a complaint from a parent/member of the public, direct him/her to the school in the first instance. Useful Contacts

the school

the school website

L.A. Governors’ Support Service – 01952 380808

DfE Governor website

www.education.gov.uk/school/leadership/governance/guidetothelawGlossary The Full Governing Body meets once a term and committees meet each half term Committee Structure

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The terms of reference for all committees are available on request and are reviewed at each Full Governing Body meeting in the Autumn term. Finance and Personel Committee Beryl Mason (Chair) Rachel Cook Carole Williams Janet Akhtar Safe Guarding and Health &Safety Committee Jane Frost(Chair) Rachel Cook Anne Steele Janet Akhtar Curriculum Committee Carole Williams (Chair) Rachel Cook Claire Oliver Vacancy Complaints Committe As and when needed. Appeals Committe As and when needed. Srategic Governors Jane Frost Carole Williams Headteachers Performance Management Committee Beryl Mason Carole Williams Additional person as and when needed. Governors with specific responsibilities (Link governors) Literacy - Carole Williams Gifted and Talented – Claire Oliver Spiritual, Moral, Social, Cultural – Carole Williams Child Protection – Ann Steele Children in Care (CiC) – Ann Steele Special Educational Needs and Disabilities – Carole Williams Early Years – Carole Williams PPG - Claire Oliver Website (statutory duties) Janet Akhtar, Michelle Bishton, Carole Williams

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Newdale Primary School & Nursery

Staff September 2015

Name Title Alysha Lloyd Nursery Assistant Amy Hallam KS1 Teacher Amy Sturrock KS2 Teacher Andy Thomas Site Manager Anita Clarke Teaching Assistant Ann Jackson Senior TA Amanda Nguyen-Xuan Lunchtime Supervisor Barbara Wegrzyn After school club assistant Carol Azzopardi Nursery Charlotte Machin Teaching Assistant Cheri Carpenter Lunchtime Supervisor Chloe Angus Nursery Assistant Chris Chiverton KS2 Teacher Danielle Broadhurst KS1 Teacher Debbie Carr Lunchtime Supervisor Debbie Bailey Teaching Assistant Ellen Silman Receptionist/Admin Georgina Taylor KS2 Teacher Hayley Wainwright KS2 Teacher Hayley Stopps KS2 Teacher Hilary Mann Nursery Deputy Leader Ho Levian After school club assistant Janet Akhtar School Business Manager Janice Osgood Lunchtime Assistant Jay Cherrington Teaching Assistant Jayne Perkins Teaching Assistant Jenny Thomas KS2 Teacher Jo Lefroy Specialist Teacher Jo Steele Nursery Administrator Jo Turner Nursery Julie Edwards Lunchtime Supervisor Justina Millington Office Manager Kara Hailey KS1 Teacher Kerry Hall Nursery Kerry Pablos KS1 Teacher Kirsty Webb Nursery Sian Horler Teaching Assistant Lesley Croft Teaching Assistant Lisa Curnow Teacher Lizzie Aston-Dix Phonics Coordinator Louise Jones Nursery Lydia Hashemi KS2 Teacher Lyndsey Mcleod Lunchtime Supervisor Margaret Orford Teaching Assistant Michelle Bishton Deputy Headteacher Michelle Hickinbottom Teaching Assistant Mireille Hammond Lunchtime Supervisor

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Nichola Bethwaite Teaching Assistant Nicky Martin Teaching Assistant Nicola Grant Lunchtime Supervisor Paula Pugh Senior Nursery Assistant Paula Thomas Teaching Assistant Rashelle Clarke Pastoral Mentor Rachel Cook Headteacher Rachel Gears KS2 Teacher Rebecca Macfarlane KS2 Teacher Robyn Wheeler Nursery Assistant Rose Powell Inclusion Manager Ruth Morgan Senior Teacher Foundation Stage Manager Sally Evans Reception Teacher Sam Morrow Teaching Assistant Sharon Adkins Nursery Assistant Shelley Giordano Nursery Assistant Sonia Walker Lunchtime Supervisor Sue Nightingale Cook Teresa Kirwan Senior Supervisor Tina Smart Lunchtime Supervisor Tracy Griffiths Breakfast Club Tracy Marshall HLTA Zoe Mclaughlin KS1 Teacher Rebecca Thorneycroft Receptionist Sara Marshall Teaching Assistant Sarah Wilson Nursery Assistant Sue Grant Breakfast club Vicki Breeze Senior Nursery Assistant Vicki Mason Pastoral Mentor

Appendix 1.

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Welcome Letter to New Governors from the Governing Body of Newdale Primary School and Nursery.

Dear We are delighted that you have agreed to be a school governor. It is a very important job. There have been governors in schools for many years, but in the last ten years their role has become crucial in helping schools to raise standards. We know that the job may seem daunting at first: masses of paperwork, new jargon and so on but there are people keen to guide and support you through the first few months. If you want to know something, please ask. We are a friendly group where the exchange of ideas and discussion of school policy and developments is shared. We value highly the contributions made by all our governors whose life experience is far wider than education and can enhance the experience of all pupils and staff in our school. We work as a team, united by our commitment to do our best for the school. We make decisions as a team and share responsibility for these decisions. We hope that you will find your work as a governor both enjoyable and rewarding. Best wishes Chair Head teacher Signature Signature Name__________________ Name________________

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Apendix 2. Acronyms and Abbreviations (please add or delete to this list) ASCL Association of School and College Leaders AST Advanced Skills Teachers ATL Association of Teachers and Lecturers BME Black and Minority Ethnic BSF Building Schools for the Future CAF Common Assessment Framework COSHH Control of Substances Hazardous to health CP Child protection CPD Continuing Professional Development DfE Department for Education EAL English as an Additional language. EHC Educational Health Care Plan EMAG Ethnic Minorty Achievement Grant EO Equal Opportunities EWO Educational Welfare Officer EYFS Early Years Foundation Stage FAP Fair Access Panel FSM Free School Meals GNVQ General National Vocational Qualification GRT Gypsy Roma Traveller H&S Health and Safety HMCI Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector in Schools HMI Her Majesty’s Inspector ICT Information and Communication Technology IEP Individual Education Plan IIP Investors in People INSET In-Service Education and Training KS1 (2,3,4) Key Stage 1,2,3,4 LA Local Authority LSAT Learning Support Advisory Service. NAHT National Association of Headteachers NASUWT National Association of School Masters/Union of Women Teachers NQT Newly Qualified Teacher NUT National Union of Teachers OFSTED Office for Standards in Education PGCE Post Graduate Certificate in Education PREVENT Personal Responsibilities Education Values Education Training PRU Pupil Referral Unit QTS Qualified Teacher Status RI Registered Inspector ( lead inspector during OFSTED inspection) RSC Regional Schools’ Commissioner SACRE Standing Advisory Council For Religious Education SATs Standard Assessment Tasks SD/IP School Development/Improvement Plan SEF Self Evaluation Plan SEND Special Education Needs and Disabilities

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SFVS Schools Financial Value Standard SIP School Improvement Partner SLT Senior Leadership Team SMSC Spiritual Moral Social Cultural TAC Team Around the Child TLR Teaching and Learning Responsibility Payments TUPE Transfer of Undertaking (Protection of Employment) UPN Unique Pupil Number Appendix 3

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Governor Induction Checklist.

DBS /association check

Full Governing Body (FGB) meetings 1. One each term as agreed in Autumn term meeting 2. Autumn meeting is also when committees and link governors are agreed.

Committees – we have three main committees which meet twice a term every academic year and ask governors to be at least on one of the committees - the Finance and Personnel. Curriculum, or Health and Safeguarding Committee.

1. Curriculumj Committee – this committee looks at the children’s learning and the progress being made. The committee monitors the progress made by various groups of children and the success of the intervention groups.

2. Health and Safety and Safeguarding – the aim of this committee is to maintain a safe working environment for staff and children including first aid provisision. It looks at risk assessments for activities within school and on school educational visits and reviews safeguarding issues such as DBS reviews.

3. Finance and Personnel Committee – the F&P committee looks at various aspects of staffing and salaries, the school budget and how it is spent in a strategic way - building maintenance and updating resources and equipment.

4. Other committees are called ‘as and when’.

Policies – each of the three committees are responsible for reviewing, updating or introducing new policies which fall under their umbrella. Agreed policies are sent to the FGB for approval.

Strategic governors - this group meets on a monthly basis with the SMT|.

Link governors – (see list) – Link governors meet with their subject leader and report back to the appropriate committee. Link governors are agreed in the Autumn term FGB.

Visiting school – governors are encouraged to visit school to meet with staff, head teacher, subject leaders and attend meetings or join in with learning walks, observations, book scrutinies and other activities. Governors are provided with an identity badge and are asked to sign in the visitors’ and governors’ book. Information regarding school activities, trips,after school clubs etc are available on the school website and the fortnightly newsletters to parents.

New governors will be given a user name and password to the governors’ portal.

Training - training is offered to governors either as a group in school or as an individual with the Local Authority or other providers.

Governor’s code of Conduct and Social Networking Policy to be signed and returned:

1. Governors Code of Conduct 2. Social Networking Policy 3. List of Information Sheets 4. Committee members 5. Link Governors 6. Accessing the governor portal 7. Training list (governor induction dates) 8. Dates of committee and Full Governing Body meetings.

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9. Governor note of visit form. 10. Statutory policies.