Governors work closely with headteachers, school staff and representatives from the local authority (LA).
What do Governors do?
Together with the Headteacher, Governors set the future direction for the school and decide how the school’s budget should be spent. Governing bodies make decisions collectively on matters such as performance targets, school policies and the school’s development plan. Governors monitor the impact of policies and oversee the use of the school’s budget. They report to parents on the school’s achievements and respond to inspection recommendations. They hear appeals from pupils and staff and consider complaints. They work closely with staff members in developing specific curriculum areas. Our Governors visit the school on a regular basis.
Annual Governance Statement 2017 18
Governing Body Committee Structure
Please click on each name to find out more about the roles of our School Governors.(Chair of Governors)
| Name | Representing | Term of Office | Committee | Responsibilities | Register of Interests | Relationship to Staff |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mrs Moira Barnes | Parent | 10/07/2021 | Curriculum and Standards | Early Years | None declared | None |
| Mrs Liz Charlton | 18/06/2021 | Curriculum and Standards Finance & Premises Headteacher's Performance Staffing | Finance | None declared | None | |
| Mrs Judith Doran CHAIR OF GOVERNORS | Parent | 30/09/2018 | First/Pay Review Finance & Premises Curriculum and Standards | Children's, School and Community First/Pay Review Early Years | None declared | None |
| Mrs Donna Pears | Parent | Finance & Premises First/Pay Review Staffing | None declared | None | ||
| Mr David Grimes - | LA | 25/06/2021 | Finance & Premises First / Pay Review Headteachers Performance Staffing | Children's, School and Community First/Pay Review Headteachers Performance | Governor at Moorside Primary School | None |
| Mrs Chris Lamb | Associate | 31/08/2023 | Curriculum and Standards Finance & Premises Staffing | DHT Children's, School and Community Finance & Personnel | None declared | Member of staff. |
| Mr Martin Bell | Headteacher | Finance & Premises; Curriculum and Standards | Head teacher Children's, School No interest to declare 7 8 Mr Martin Bell Headteacher Finance & Premises; Curriculum and Standards and Community Finance & Personnel | None declared | Member of staff. | |
| Mr Paul Henderson | Associate | 31/08/2023 | Curriculum and Standards Finance & Premises | Children's, School and Community Finance & Personnel Premises Manager | None declared | None |
| Ms Susan Nolan | Parent | 22/06/2021 | Appeals Curriculum and Standards | None declared | None | |
| Miss Adele Patterson | Staff | Curriculum and Standards | Teacher at Shotley Bridge | Spouse works in school. | Member of staff. | |
| Mr Danny Patterson | Associate | 06/03/2024 | Curriculum and Standards | Assistant Head teacher | Spouse works in school. | Member of staff |
| Mrs Denise Kelley | Parent | Appeals Curriculum and Standards | None declared | None | ||
| Stacey Dobson | Co-opted | Feb 2020 | None declared | None |
The governing body consists of people from the school’s community: parents; school staff; representatives of the Local Education Authority and people from the local community.
A parent governor must have a child at the school when they become a governor may complete their 4 year term even if their child has already left the school. When a vacancy arises for a parent governor, a letter is sent out to all parents asking for nominees. If more than one nomination is received, all parents are asked to vote for their choice of governor.
Statutory Guidance for Governing Bodies
Shotley Bridge Primary School adhere to the statutory guidance from the Department of Education. This means that governing bodies must have regard to it when carrying out duties relating to the constitution of governing bodies in maintained schools. For further information please view or download the full document below.
The Constitution of Governing Bodies of Maintained Schools (2017)
Contacting the Governing Body
If you would like to contact the Governing Body please send your correspondence to school and we will forward it to Mr.Grimes the Acting Chair of Governors.
How To Become A School Governor
If you require further information on the roles and responsibilities of School Governors or you are interested in becoming one, visit the Durham County Council website School Governor section.
Governor Attendance
KEY
✓ – Attended meeting
A/A – Apologies sent and accepted by meeting
N – Did not attend
X – Not a member of the committee
NA – Not appointed or term of office has ended
Record of Attendance 2020-2021
| Name | Finance and Premises Meeting 01.10.2020 | Head Teacher's Appraisal 06.10.2020 | FGB Meeting 12.11.2020 | Meeting [add date] |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mrs M Barnes | x | |||
| Mr M Bell | √ | |||
| Mrs L Charlton | √ | |||
| Mrs J Doran | √ | |||
| Mr D Grimes | √ | |||
| Mr P Henderson | √ | |||
| Mrs D Kelley | √ | |||
| Mrs C Lamb | √ | |||
| Ms S Nolan | x | |||
| Mrs D Pears | x | |||
| Mr D Patterson | x | |||
| Mrs C Wainwright | x | |||
| Mrs Stacey Dobson | x | |||
| Miss A Patterson | x | |||
| Mrs Rachel Rooney | x | |||
| Mrs Laura Willing | x |
Archived Attendance
You can also view previous years attendance on our website.
Committee Terms of Reference
The Finance & Personnel Committee
CHAIR:
Terms of Reference:
- In conjunction with the Headteacher to draft the first formal budget plan of the financial year, for approval by the full Governing Body.
- To establish and maintain an up to date 3 year financial plan.
- To monitor income and expenditure, including virement decisions, significant anomalies from the anticipated position and report termly to the Governing Body.
- To ensure the school operates within the financial regulations of the County Council and the requirements of the DfE School Financial Value Standard for Schools.
- To monitor expenditure of all voluntary funds kept on behalf of the Governing Body.
- To annually review charges and remissions policies and expenses policies.
- To make decisions in respect of service level agreements.
- To make decisions on expenditure following recommendations from other committees.
- To prepare financial statements for inclusion in any reports to parents.
- To ensure as far as is practical that any Health and Safety (H&S) issues are appropriately funded in accordance with priorities.
- To ensure that Pay Review Committee and Pay Appeal Committee decisions are appropriately funded.
- To carry out an annual review of the staffing structure in consultation with the Headteacher and the Finance Committee.
- To oversee the appointment procedure for all staff (except Leadership and where delegated)
- To establish and review a performance management policy for all staff.
- To keep under review work/life balance, working conditions and well being, including the monitoring of absence.
- To make recommendations to the Finance Committee on Personnel-related expenditure.
Meetings: termly, or each half term, planned to coincide with Oracle.
Disqualifications: when there may be a conflict of interest; a fair hearing is required; or a pecuniary interest. Associate members may not vote.
First/Pay Review Committee
CHAIR:
Terms of Reference:
- To act in accordance with the Teachers’ Pay Policy adopted by the Governing Body to include matters relating to: teaching and learning responsibility payments, SEN(Special Educational Needs) allowances, recruitment and retention payments etc.
- To report to the Finance Committee on Pay Review-related expenditure.
- To make any decisions under the personnel procedures adopted by the Governing Body, e.g. disciplinary, grievance, ill health, capability etc where the Headteacher is the subject of the action.
- To make any decisions relating to a member of staff (other than the Headteacher) under the Personnel procedures adopted by the Governing Body (unless delegated to the Headteacher).
- Reducing the staffing.
Disqualifications: The Headteacher, the Chair of Governors (if he/she has prior knowledge or involvement); Spouse/partner; Members of staff in relation to pay-related matters; Pecuniary interest.
Delegation to the Headteacher
School Staffing (England) Regulations 2009.
Appointment: The Governing Body can delegate the power to appoint outside the leadership group to:
- The Headteacher
- One or more Governors with the right of the Headteacher to advise
- One or more Governors and the Headteacher.
When any of the exceptional circumstances listed below are applied decisions will revert to the Governing Body’s existing Committee Structure:
- A Headteacher is unwilling to perform these functions and previous service at the school did not include these responsibilities
- A Headteacher is subject to suspension, disciplinary procedures including capability or disciplinary or disciplinary sanction
- Where the LA has made representations to the Chair of the Governing Body on the grounds of serious concerns regarding the performance of the Headteacher
- Where the Headteacher has failed to abide by financial limits agreed by the Governing Body for any school purpose
In the case of the appointment of a member of support staff required to act in a senior management capacity.
Delegate as above for:
Appointments:
- All temporary posts and supply cover – Headteacher
- Permanent Teaching Posts – Headteacher plus one or more Governors
- All non-teaching staff – Headteacher
Dismissals: No delegation to Headteacher.
Headteacher’s Performance Review Committee
CHAIR:
Terms of Reference:
- To arrange to meet with the External Adviser (EA) or Education Development Partner (EDP) to discuss the Headteacher’s performance targets.
- To decide with support from the EA or EDP whether the targets have been met and to set new targets annually.
- To monitor throughout the year the performance of the Headteacher against the targets.
- To make recommendations to the appropriate committee in respect of awards for the successful meeting of set targets.
Meetings: Autumn term, plus monitoring meetings.
Disqualifications: the Headteacher and staff.
Appeals Committee
CHAIR:
Terms of Reference:
- To consider any appeal against a decision to dismiss a member of staff made by the Hearing/First Committee (or Headteacher if delegated).
- To consider any appeal against a decision under the personnel procedures adopted by the Governing Body. (eg. disciplinary, pay review, capability etc.).
- To consider any appeal against selection for redundancy.
Meetings: as and when required. Must have no fewer members than the Hearing.
Disqualifications: Headteacher. Any governor who was involved in the hearing. Spouse/partner; members of staff in relation to pay related matters.
Children’s School & Community Committee
CHAIR:
- Ensuring that the school meets health and safety requirements and review the schools H&S policy regularly.
- Ensuring that PE is taught as part of the school curriculum and monitoring the quality and adequacy of provision.
- Promoting an ethos that encourages participation in competitive sport both within the school and between schools.
- Monitoring nutritional standards within the school to include school meals, snack provision and food available during wrap-around provision.
- Ensure that the school’s policy on SEN is consistent with the code of practice and Equalities Act and that arrangements are made to ensure the policy is monitored and reviewed regularly. The policy is known to parents and carers.
- Consider developing a whole school drugs policy.
- Decide whether or not to provide sex and relationships education and consult parents.
- Monitor pupils’ attitudes, values and how other personal qualities are developed within the school through the provision of RE and PHSCE and that parents are told of their right to withdraw their child.
- Ensure the effective integration of children with SEN.
- Consider the provision of sex and drugs education.
- Ensure that adequate provision is made to make the building safe and secure, Health and Safety policy.
- Ensure the school is fulfilling its responsibilities regarding child protection and the requirements of “Working Together to Safeguard Children”.
- Ensure that buildings and the learning environment are maintained and fit for purpose.
- Oversee the use of the premises by outside users.
- Establish and keep under review an asset management /building development plan.
- Establish and keep under review an Accessibility Plan.
- Conduct the school with a view to promoting high standards of education achievement (SSFA 1998).
- Set targets for achievement at KS1. Monitor the school’s performance against these targets.
- Monitor the achievement of disadvantaged groups and the impact of policies on race, SEN, Looked After Children and Disability on pupils, parents and communities.
- Contribute to the development and monitoring of the School Improvement Plan and the SEF.
- Ensure that every child receives the full statutory curriculum that the school must provide.
- Ensure that a report on each pupil’s educational achievements is forwarded to their parents/ guardians annually.
- Set attendance targets and monitor the school’s performance against these targets.
- Ensure the school has a curriculum policy that meets pupils’ needs.
- Ensure the school has policies on Race and Disability Discrimination.
- In general terms, monitor teaching and learning and the progress of pupils.
- Monitor the provision of extra-curricular activities including overnight stays provided to encourage recreation and social development.
- Ensure the quality of education, teaching and learning (see Enjoy and Achieve re promoting high standards).
- Plan to raise standards of achievement and monitor the school’s performance.
- Consider out-of-hours provision (wrap around provision, study support, extended schools).
- Ensure the school works well with its community, parents and other schools.
- Ensure the school works effectively with other agencies to support vulnerable children and their families.
- Ensure the school has an effective behaviour and anti-bullying policy. Monitor the implementation of this policy and its impact.
- Monitor the development of pupils’ attitudes, values and other personal qualities.
- Aims and values for the school are agreed and positive ethos for the school is promoted. Policy decisions are consistent with the agreed aims, values and ethos.
- Ensure that the school has an effective school council. The Governing Body takes account of the school council in determining the way in which the school is conducted.
- The school promotes inclusive policies that allow for the achievement of all pupils.
- Ensure that adequate provision is made for transition between primary and secondary education.
- Ensure that the school fulfils its statutory responsibilities in terms of Race discrimination.
- Ensure each child is able to reach their potential including the gifted and talented (differentiation).
- Act as Pupil Discipline Committee for Permanent/Fixed Term exclusions.
- Complaints.
Meetings: at least termly, or when required.\
Disqualifications: conflict of interest, pecuniary interest, prior knowledge in cases of pupil discipline or complaints.
Virement & Expenditure Limits
| Virement Limits | Expenditure Limits |
||
|---|---|---|---|
| Limit set for Headteacher without prior written approval of Chair or Governing Body | £2000 | Any items of expenditure up to | £5000 |
| Limit set for Headteacher with approval from Chair of Governors or Chair of Finance Committee. | £7500 | Above this limit if item was previously notified to the Governing Body or Finance Committee. Prior Governing Body approval to be sought outside of this limit. | |
| Prior Finance Committee or Governing Body approval (whichever is the soonest) to be sought outside this limit and reported at the earliest opportunity. | |||
NB Any goods/services purchased and works to be carried out are subject to Durham County Council Contract Procedure Rules (January 2014) for quotations
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