Our Governing Board Structure

Terms of reference:

• To agree constitutional matters*, including procedures where the Governing Body has discretion
• To draw up the instrument of government and any amendments thereafter*
• To recruit new members as vacancies arise and to appoint new governors* where appropriate
• To hold at least three Governing Body meetings a year*
• To appoint or remove the Chair and Vice Chair*
• To appoint or remove a Clerk to the Governing Body*
• To establish the committees of the Governing Body and their terms of reference*
• To appoint the Chair of any committee (if not delegated to the committee itself)
• To appoint or remove a Clerk to each committee*
• To suspend a governor*
• To decide which functions of the Governing Body will be delegated to committees, groups and individuals*
• To review the delegation arrangements annually*
• To receive reports from any individual or committee to whom a decision has been delegated and to consider whether any further action by the Governing Body is necessary*
• To formally approve and adopt the School Development Plan
• To review and formally approve the Governing body Decision Planner on an annual basis

*these matters cannot be delegated to either a committee or an individual

To contribute fully to the determination and on-going development of an ambitious strategy addressing the delivery and continuous improvement of high quality leadership and management within the school, including the Governing Body.

To approve, monitor and regularly evaluate pupil achievement.

To monitor and evaluate the implementation of the agreed strategy and any related plans, policies and processes.

To monitor the achievement of agreed objectives and progress towards targets.

To undertake and deliver any responsibilities delegated to the committee under the scheme of delegation.

To hold the Headteacher to account for the performance of the school within the scope of these terms of reference.

In undertaking the above the committee will make full use of and be guided by the following standards and plans:

• Criteria set out in OfSted and DfE guidance
• School Self Evaluation
• School Development Plan
• National Curriculum of England & Wales
• Governor code of conduct

Along with any relevant best practice and benchmarking information.

The committee will undertake an annual self-appraisal of its performance and implement a related improvement programme.

SPECIFICS:

1. To approve, monitor and review the school curriculum and other mandatory policies.
2. To monitor national and school developments in teaching and learning.
3. To monitor SEN.
4. To monitor school targets and evaluate data and trends using key performance indicators.

To contribute fully to the determination and ongoing development of an ambitious strategy addressing the delivery and continuous improvement of high quality resource management within the school.

To approve, monitor and regularly evaluate the budget and staffing structure.

To monitor and evaluate the implementation of the agreed strategies and any related plans, policies and processes.

To monitor the achievement of agreed objectives and progress towards targets using Key Performance Indicators.

To undertake and deliver any responsibilities delegated to the committee under the scheme of delegation.

To hold the Headteacher to account for the performance of the school within the scope of these terms of reference.

In undertaking the above the committee will make full use of and be guided by the following standards and plans:

• OfSted and DfE guidance and policies
• School Self Evaluation
• School Development Plan
• Annual Child Protection Audit
• Annual Health and Safety Audit
• Accessibility Plan
• Schools Financial Value Standard (SFVS)
• SCC financial regulations
• Governor code of conduct

along with any relevant legal requirements, best practice and benchmarking information.

The committee will undertake an annual self appraisal of its performance and implement a related improvement programme. The SFVS self evaluation tool and related documentation will be a core part of this process.

FINANCE:

1. To ensure that the school fulfils the criteria of the SFVS by:
   1. Reviewing and evaluating the effectiveness of relevant policies
   2. Monitoring the budget and financial forecasts including Devolved Formula Capital
   3. Ensuring linkage between budgetary expenditure and provision as laid out in the in the School Development Plan including Devolved Formula Capital
2. In consultation with the Headteacher, draft and agree the first formal budget plan of the financial year and present it to the Governing Body for ratification
3. To establish and maintain an up to date 3 year financial plan
4. To review the planned vs budget position and any virement decisions at least termly and to report significant anomalies from the anticipated position to the Full Governing Body
5. To ensure that the school operates within the Financial Regulations of the County Council
6. To monitor expenditure of all voluntary funds kept on behalf of the Governing Body
7. In keeping with the requirements of the scheme of delegation to:
   1. Make decisions in respect of service agreements
   2. To make decisions on expenditure following recommendations from other committees
   3. Authorise purchases within delegated spending limits
8. To ensure that Health and Safety issues are appropriately prioritised within the budget
9. To ensure sufficient funds are available for pay increments as recommended by the Headteacher
10. In the light of the Headteacher Performance Management Group’s recommendations, to ensure sufficient funds are available for increments
11. To regularly review the General Interests Register and Specific Interests Register along with any related policies.

PERSONNEL:

1. To draft, approve and keep under review the staff complement in consultation with the Headteacher
2. To establish and review the effectiveness of a pay policy for all staff and to ensure that it is applied fairly and equitably
3. To establish and review the effectiveness of the appointment procedure for all staff with particular reference to the effectiveness of safeguarding policies and practice
4. To establish and regularly review the effectiveness of an appraisal policy for all staff
5. To oversee any process leading to staff reductions
6. To evaluate and keep under review staff work/life balance, working conditions and wellbeing, including the monitoring of absence
7. To consider any appeal against a decision on pay grading or pay awards

BEHAVIOUR:

1. To approve, monitor and review the Behaviour and Discipline Policy and make recommendations on changes to the Governing Body
2. To agree, monitor and review the annual Attendance Targets
3. To approve the Behaviour principles statement
4. To receive information on any exclusions or behaviour issues

SAFETY:

1. To approve, monitor and review the Health and Safety Policy
2. To monitor and evaluate school responses to Health and safety concerns
3. To monitor arrangements for educational visits, including the appointment of a named coordinator
4. To approve, monitor and review the Child Protection Policy to ensure that all appropriate and statutory child protection measures are in place
5. To approve, monitor and review the Single Equalities Policy
6. To approve the Equality information and objectives statement for publication
7. To approve, monitor and review the Data Protection Policy

PREMISES:

1. To approve, monitor and review arrangements and service agreements for repairs and maintenance or premises improvements in excess of �5,000
2. To make recommendations to the Resources Committee on premises-related expenditure
3. To approve, monitor and review the Lettings Policy