Governors
March 2024
Dear Parents, Carers and Children,
Last year I wrote to you all to speak of my pride in the outcome of the visit to the school by the Ofsted Inspector in December 2022. I now want to express how absolutely thrilled I am that the inspector’s judgement a year ago has been fully endorsed by the recent full inspection of our wonderful school, culminating in the achievement of an ‘Outstanding’ judgement.
Once again, I would like to highlight some of the wonderful comments made in relation to the school. In particular:
“Pupils receive an exceptional education at this school”; “pupils thrive because the school has high academic ambitions for all”; “respect is a core value at the school”; “behaviour is exemplary and pupils are highly motivated to learn”.
Examples are given within the report of the strength and richness of the curriculum, the excellence of the teaching and the commitment and dedication of all the staff. I am extremely proud to be associated with such an amazing team.
However, the real praise in this report and, indeed, in all interactions we as governors have within the school, must go primarily to your wonderful children who are a credit to their families and carers demonstrating a consistently high standard of behaviour and incredible enthusiasm.
Thank you all for your patience during our unfortunate experience with the RAAC found in our school hall – the stoicism and positivity of all involved was very much appreciated by all staff and governors.
As many of you will know, this is a challenging time financially within education and our lovely school is no exception to this. However, I am pleased to tell you that all governors are dedicated to ensuring the best possible educational experience for your children in a safe and happy environment, whilst remaining true to our school motto: “Everything we can be, with Christ in our hearts”.
Should you wish to share any thoughts or ideas with us, please contact the parent governors or myself through the school office.
With all best wishes for the remainder of 2024.
Kind regards
Catherine Smith
Chair of Governors
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The Role of a School Governor The role of the school governor is to contribute to the work of the Governing Body in raising standards of achievement for all pupils. This involves providing a strategic view for the school, acting as a critical friend and ensuring accountability. The individual governor has a responsibility, working alongside other members of the Governing Body, to the staff and pupils of the school, the school’s wider community and where they are representatives, to their particular group (parents; staff; teachers; church; etc). |
Responsibilities include:
- developing the strategic plan for the school;
- determining aims, policies and priorities of the school;
- setting statutory and non-statutory targets;
- monitoring and evaluating the work of the school;
- appointment of staff and ensuring the implementation of a range of personnel procedures;
- management of the budget;
- securing high levels of attendance and good standards of pupil behaviour;
- ensuring that all children in the schools have access to a broad and balanced curriculum which is suitable to age, aptitude and ability, which prepares them for adult life;
- ensuring the health and safety of pupils and staff.
Tasks include:
- to get to know the school, its needs, strengths and areas for development;
- to attend meetings (full Governing Body, committees and working groups);
- to work as a member of a team;
- to speak, act and vote in the best interests of the school;
- to represent the perspectives of groups, where appropriate;
- to respect all Governing Body decisions and to support them in public;
- to act within the framework of the policies of the Governing Body and legal requirements;
- to commit to training and development opportunities.
Foundation Governors
Foundation Governors are appointed in the name of the Archbishop and form the majority of the Governing Body. They have a legal duty to preserve and develop the Catholic character of the school. They must:
- Be familiar with and supportive of the policies and procedures of the Diocese;
- Represent those policies to the Governing Body;
- Consider not only the interests of the individual school but the interests of other Catholic schools throughout the Diocese;
- Respond to the needs of the Catholic community as a whole as represented by the Archbishop.
Local Authority Governors
Local Authority Governors are appointed by the Local Authority in which the school is situated. All Local Authority Governors are expected to be committed to raising standards at the school to which they are appointed.
Elected Governors
Parents and staff elect representatives to the Governing Body. Elected Governors although representatives for particular groups are not delegates for that group.
The Governing Body Committees
Committees are set up to deal with the statutory duties of the Governing Body. They formulate policies and are delegated to make decisions on behalf of the Governing Body within their terms of reference.
The main committees are:
Resources Committee (covering Personnel, Finance, Premises and Health and Safety)
Chair: Connor McIntyre
Members: Fr. Joe Ryan, Catherine Smith, Stephen McNicholas, Nuala Kennedy, Eoin Hourigan, Victoria Garala, Holly Seabrook (appointment to Governing Body pending).
School Improvement Committee (covering Curriculum, Achievement and Admissions)
Chair: Zofia Wozniak-Rutkiewicz
Members: Siobhan Clarke, Susan Griffin, Stephen McNicholas, Nuala Kennedy, Ola Smuklerz, Zofia Wozniak-Rutkiewicz, Andrea Crosby-Josephs