St Paul’s School Governor Information Evening

September 2010Lorraine Couves

IntroductionLorraine Couves:

– Current chair of governors (since 2006)– Governor since 2002– Former PTA member and chair (1999-2002)– I have 3 children who have all attended St Paul’s – Claire joined the nursery in 1995 and my youngest

daughter left in 2008.– So in total a fifteen year history with this school.

Governor communication

• Until 2005 the Governors held an annual meeting to formally report to parents.

• In general this was poorly attended• In 2005 this requirement was replaced by

online reporting through the school profile • So tonight is an opportunity to reach a new

parents and give you an introduction to governance at St Pauls.

The Governing Body

One third of governors should be parents Governors represent the largest volunteer group in the country

Governor Governor type Parent Responsibilities

Mrs R Goddard Head Teacher No Head Teacher

Rev M Wallington FA (ex-offi cio) No Vice -chair, Admissions

Mrs A. Raby-Buck FA (diocesan) yes Chair of finance committee

Dr. L. Couves FA (diocesan) EX Chair of Governors

Mrs K Larkin FA (PCC) Ex SEN governor/curriculum

Mr J Russel FA (PCC) Yes Health and Safety

Mr J Samuel FA (PCC) yes Communication/finance/IT

Mr K Bailie FA (PCC) yes Communication/finance

Mr G Harris FA (PCC) EX Finance

Mrs R O'Hagan Parent Yes Communication

Mrs L. Freeth Community No Curriculum/diversity

Mr C Ashton Local authority yes Communication/website

Mrs J Connor Teaching Staff yes Deputy Head

Mr P. Carter Non-teaching staff No Health and Safety

Governance

• Governors have a range of duties and powers under various ‘Education acts’ with a view to promoting high standards of educational achievement.

• Governors are ‘corporate’ bodies– Individual governors have no right or power to act

on behalf of the governing body• Governors receive training to allow us to fulfil

these duties

Specific Responsibilities at St Paul’sThe governing body

– Is the ‘employer’– Is responsible for Admissions– Is responsible for financial management (FMsiS)– Is responsible for compliance with some

government legislation e.g. Race equality act– Is responsible for strategic leadership

Strategic LeadershipGovernors establish a strategic framework by

• Setting aims & objectives for the school – The mission statement– Self-evaluation– Inspection Reports and dialogue with School

improvement partners• Adopting policies which support these aims• Setting targets for achieving these aims• Monitoring and evaluating its progress

– Governors do this by acting as a ‘critical friend’ providing both challenge and support.

Mission Statement

St. Paul's Church of England Combined School will provide its pupils with the environment, opportunities and skills necessary to prepare them to be citizens of the 21st Century Growing in strength, wisdom and faith.

In this presentation I want to give you some examples of how governors work with school to set the strategic framework which is then implemented by the school leadership team

Strategic Leadership

• Every child Matters– A national strategic framework for raising

attainment in schools for ALL children.

• Recent developments and achievements– How the school leadership team has responded to

the strategic direction

Every Child Matters

• This government agenda has been guiding schools since 2004

• Key indicator in Ofsted performance• Sets out 5 outcomes that are universal ambitions for

all young people • Children’s services (including schools need to support

children in each of these areas). • Treats children as individuals and requires them to

have a ‘voice’.

Every Child Matters - 5 Outcomes

• Be Healthy• Stay safe• Enjoy and achieve• Make a positive contribution• Achieve economic well being

These outcomes are self reinforcing and taken together will lead to children performing at the best that they are able to.

Be Healthy

• St Paul’s was a pilot ‘healthy Schools’• Healthy eating education• Sport and exercise

Stay Safe

• Health and safety• Site Security• Behaviour and anti bullying strategy• Risk assessments• Curriculum

• Stranger danger• Road safety• Medicines and drugs• Firework• Etc..........

Enjoy and achieve

• Trying new things – finding new skills and talents• Sport – encourage participation• Music – energise, Albert Hall, instruments etc • Drama – assemblies, plays • Extracurricular activities

• Set Expectations• To achieve the best you can

• Personalised learning • Individual targets and assessments

Make a positive contribution

• Encourage participation• School council • Charity• Citizenship• Behaviour• Leadership opportunities

Red nose day

Achieve Economic Wellbeing

• Christmas bazaar • Summer fete• Cake sales

.... these activities help our children to understand about money

• Mini enterprise

.... And this is a first introduction to ‘business’ but covers teamwork, leadership and more

Mission statement

• St. Paul's Church of England Combined School will provide its pupils with the environment, opportunities and skills necessary to prepare them to be citizens of the 21st Century

Growing in strength, wisdom and faith.

...this shows our commitment to St Paul’s as a faith school

As a church schoolExpectations (of us all)

• Kindness, support and respect for each other

• Respect for environment• Trust• Mutual understanding

And most of all – partnership

St Paul’s has had a difficult year but it is our grounding as a Church school which has help us to deal with these problems and emerge stronger

Recent Achievements

• A review of some of achievements and actions to date are the best way to highlight the different responsibilities of school and governors.

Creative Partnerships

• Curriculum development– Aim is to improve story telling and hence writing– Learn whilst having fun– Cross curricular (science, maths, DT, Art and more)

But most importantly (and in response to our challenge from Ofsted in 2007) to continue to develop independent learning in our pupils.

Computing• 2000: First computer classroom ~ 15 computers

following extensive PTA fundraising

• Today: 30 computers, Interactive whiteboards, internet access into the classroom.

A few glitches along the way But working well now.

Website

http://www.st-pauls.bucks.sch.uk/

No school is complete without one– Showcases the school– Aid to communication (governor pages coming

soon)But we do not spend any of our valuable

budget on this

School Buildings

• Our buildings are well maintained• Voluntary aided; Development & maintenance fund

• Develops respect for your environment• Children have clear boundaries and expectations

• More motivating environment• Do any of us want to work in a poor environment?

• Examples• Playground, nursery playground (H&S)• Fences & gates (site security)• Disabled toilet/wheelchair ramps (accessibility plan)• Windows/doors – security, appearance and environmental• Swimming pool

School Council

• Pupil voice– Encourages positive contribution– Leadership opportunities– Teachers and governors and pupils develop mutual respect

• Examples of change– Toilets! ..... And behaviours in them– Glitches in computer room– Feedback on learning (computers, creative partnerships etc)– Uniform

Challenges Ahead

• Funding• £4k was taken from last year’s committed budget• 25% cuts are proposed by Government

– We do not know where these are likely to hit– LA is in consultation – urge you to partake – Not everything we value in school is protected ’front-line’ service

• SEN• Large growth in children with SEN• More understanding of needs

• Behaviour• More examples of challenging behaviour