Our Governing Body

As Governors, we all have an interest in education and a passion for securing the best for Walworth School, working closely with the Headteacher to ensure we deliver our mission of 'Improving the quality of children's lives'.

We conduct most of our business through meetings; we meet as a full Governong Body once a term.  We also go into school to meet with the Headteacher, other members of staff and pupils to help us find out how the school is progressing towards its targets.  We attend training sessions and seminars to help us keep up to date with changes in school and education, and to help us do our job effectively.

Governors are responsible for the strategic vision of the school and for supporting the Headteacher and staff in achieving that vision.  Governors have responsibility for appointing the Headteacher, managing the school's budget, setting annual targets and monitoring performance against those targets, all in the interest of raising standards of achievement. In addition to these statutory responsibilities, Governors do a wide variety of other things, either through formal committee activity or through personal involvement with the day-to-day life of the school

Sub-committees meet as and when required. Members of the Governing Body serve for a four year period. At the Autumn Term full Governing Body meeting, the Chair and Vice-Chair are elected and the composition of sub-committees is determined. All Governors may be contacted via school - home addresses are not published for reasons of security. Please click on the link below to read the written statements of behaviour principles.

Written Statement of Behaviour Principles GOV B

Statutory Guidance for Governing Bodies

Walworth 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.

The Constitution of Governing Bodies of Maintained Schools (2017)

Full Governing Body

Chair:  Mr Ken Flynn
Vice Chair: Dr Nikki Rutter

Strategic Leadership and Accountability:

• In collaboration with school leaders determine a clear and explicit vision for the future.  Ensure this is communicated to the whole organisation. 
• Set strong and clear values and ensure these are embedded across the organisation and adhered to. 
• Determine the strategic direction for the school. 
• Monitor and evaluate pupil progress and attainment by receiving reports and information from the Headteacher and other school leaders; compare against national and local benchmarks over time. 
• Receive reports from committees, working parties or individuals and agree actions. 
• Approve the SEF and monitor throughout the year. 
• Approve the School Improvement Plan priorities and monitor throughout the year progress towards agreed actions. 
• Ensure there is a transparent system for performance management of all staff which is clearly linked to the school’s priorities.  Have oversight of staff performance throughout the year. 
• Ensure there are mechanisms in place to listen to and respond to the views of parents/carers, pupils, staff, local communities and employers. 
• Agree recruitment process to be followed in relation to Senior Leader posts; where delegated ratify appointments. 
• Final approval of the annual budget plan. 
• Monitor the school’s budget throughout the year. 
• Agree virement and expenditure limits for the Headteacher. 
• Hold at least 3 meetings each academic year.  Ensure that committee meetings are held in accordance with the agreed terms of reference. 

People and structures:

• Elect and/or remove Chair of Governors and Vice Chair of Governors.
• Appoint Committee chairs or delegate to each committee.
• Consider and agree delegation of functions to individuals or committees.
• Agree committee terms of reference and membership.
• Establish a register of Governors business interests.
• Ensure Governors information on the Get Information About Schools (GIAS) register and the school website is up to date and compliant with current requirements.
• Confirm the Instrument of Government and subsequent amendments.
• Appoint Co-opted, Local Authority and where necessary Parent Governors to the board.
• Review and monitor the Governor Induction Process
• Have regard for Governors professional development
• Where necessary, suspend or remove Governors from the Board.
• Appoint/dismiss the Clerk to the Governing Body.

Compliance and Evaluation:

• Consider business provided by Local Authority and other sources.
• Suspend or end suspension of staff members
• Ensure all statutory policies are in place and there is an effective policy review cycle.
• Review and agree the Governor Code of Conduct.
• Confirm arrangements for completion of a Governor Skills Audit.
• Ensure there is regular self-evaluation and review of individual's contributions to the Board as well as the Board's overall operation and effectiveness.
• As necessary, consider an external review of the Board's effectiveness.
• Ensure school website is up to date and compliant with current DfE requirements.

Curriculum and Standards Committee

Chair: Mrs Val Hindmarch
Terms of Reference

Strategic direction and statutory areas:

• Review, monitor and evaluate the curriculum offer.
• Contribute to the development and monitoring of the:
  • Self Evaluation form
  • School Improvement Plan
  • Targets for school improvement including SSG where appropriate
• Develop and review policies identified within the school's policy review programme and in accordance with its delegated powers (e.g. RHSE and pupil discipline/behaviour)
• Ensure that the school's policy on SEND is consistent with the Code of Practice and Equalities Act, most recent KCSIE updates and receive termly reports from the Headteacher/SENDCo and an annual report from the SEND Governor.
• Ensure the SEND Policy is monitored and reviewed regularly and that the policy is known to parents/carers.
• Ensure the school complies with the provisions of the Equalities Act 2010.
• Where necessary ensure that the 14-19 curriculum is broad-based and provides vocational training as well as academic qualifications.
• Where necessary ensure that all pupils have access to independent careers advice.

Curriculum & Improvement

• Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of leadership and management in relation to curriculum design, implementation and impact.
• Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of curriculum design.
• Monitor and evaluate the school's own assessment of the impact of the curriculum for all groups of pupils to include Reading in all key stages.
• Monitor and Evaluate the quality of education and the impact of the curriculum including RHSE.
• Monitor and evaluate the impact of continuing professional development on improving staff performance.
• Monitor and evaluate provision for all groups of vulnerable children e.g. children looked after and children in need and ensure all their needs have been identified and addressed.
• Monitor and review impact of Pupil Premium, Sports Premium, Early Years Premium, Catch-up/Recovery Premium.
• Set priorities for improvement and monitor and evaluate the impact of improvement plans which relate to the committee's area of operation.
• Regularly review the Assessment Policy  and ensure that the policy is operating effectively.
• Ensure the school is fulfilling its responsibilities regarding child protection and the requirements of 'Keeping Children Safe in Education'
• Receive reports from external sources and agree actions to address recommendations; monitor and evaluate progress made.
• Ensure all children have equal opportunity.
• Monitor pupils' attitudes, values and development of other personal qualities within the school through provision RHSE.

Behaviour, Development and Well-Being

• Ensure the school is fulfilling its responsibilities regarding safeguarding and child protection and the requirements of 'Keeping Children Safe in Education'.
• Ensure Safeguarding policies are adhered to; monitor and review all safeguarding policies/procedures within school.
• Monitor and review data on behaviour, bullying, peer on peer abuse, attendance, suspensions and exclusions.
• Ensure school is fulfilling its responsibilities with regards to pupils accessing alternative provision.
• Ensure that adequate provision is made for pupil transition.

Engagement:

• Monitor the school's publicity, public presentation and relationships with parents/carers and the wider community.
• Identify and celebrate pupil achievements.
• Oversee and monitor arrangements for out of hours provision, extra-curricular activities and educational visits including overnight stays.
• Ensure all statutory requirements for reporting and publishing information are met.
• Review and monitor the school's website to ensure that it is accessible and fully compliant with current DfE requirements.
• Ensure the school works well with its community, parents and other schools.

Meetings: at least termly
Quorum: 3
Disqualifications: None

Finance & Premises Committee

Chair: Mr Phillip Chater
Terms of Reference

Finance:

• In conjunction with the Headteacher to draft and propose the first formal budget plan of  the financial year by the full Governing body.
• Establish and maintain an up-to-date three year financial plan, taking into account priorities in the School Improvement Plan, roll projection and signals from central government and the LA regarding future years' budget.
• Ensure that priorities detailed with the School Improvement Plan are appropriately costed and are reflected in the annual budget.
• Monitor the capital and revenue budget position statements to identify and address any anomalies from the anticipated position and report termly to the full Governing body.
•  Review and monitor outstanding debts and action taken.
• Review and monitor Direct School Meals Provision by income and expenditure statements.
• Review the year end outturn report.
• Monitor and approve virements and expenditure over the Headteacher's delegated limit.
• Appraise and approve spending decisions where competitive quotations or tenders are required.
• Ensure the school operates within the financial regulations of the Local Authority and the requirements of the DfE Schools Financial Standards (SFVS).
• Approve annually the school's Financial Value Standards (SFVS) submission prior to the 31 March deadline.
• Review Related Party Transaction Register.
• Monitor the implementation of any identified actions in the SFVS submission.
• Confirm management arrangements for the Private School Fund and nominate an officer to administer the fund (Treasurer).
• Appoint an Auditor for the Private School Fund.
• Monitor expenditure of all voluntary funds held on behalf of the Governing Body and receive an audited annual statement of income and expenditure.
• Annually review the outcomes of the asset register stock check and approve the disposal of obsolete items.
• Oversee use and monitor impact of the Early Years Premium, Pupil Premium, PE and Sports Premium, Catch-Up Premium and Recovery Premium.
• Review and monitor all financial policies including lettings, charging and remissions and expenses policies.
• Consider and promote income generation.
• Annually review income generated from contracts and lettings; oversee the use of premises by outside users.
• Where necessary, monitor and review Extended Care provision including review of annual income and expenditure statements where applicable.
• Ensure all appropriate insurances are in place.
• Annually review and approve school's Financial Procedures Manual.
• Monitor service level agreements annually and make decisions in respect of service level agreements ensuring value for money.
• Make decisions on expenditure following recommendations from other committees for example collaborative working arrangements with other schools and/or bodies to ensure value for money.
• Ensure as far as is practical that health and safety issues are appropriately funded in accordance with agreed priorities.
• Annually review financial bench-marking data.
• Monitor the implementation of actions arising from the Internal Audit report or of a financial nature from other inspection regime reports.
• Ensure any instances of Fraud or financial irregularity are reported immediately to the Head of Education and Skills and Chief Internal Auditor and Corporate Fraud Manager.

Premises:

• Establish, review and monitor the Health and Safety Policy ensuring that the school meets health and safety requirements.
• Ensure actions are taken in respect of relevant health and safety legislation.
• Ensure that premises and the learning environment are maintained and are fit for purpose.
• Provide support and guidance for the Headteacher and Governing body on all matters relating to the maintenance and development of the premises and grounds, including health and safety.
• Ensure that an annual inspection of the premises and grounds is undertaken and a report received identifying any issues. Inform the Governing body of the report and set out a proposed order of priorities for maintenance and development for the approval of the Governing Body.
• Ensure professional surveys and emergency works are arranged as necessary.
• Oversee the use of premises by outside users.
• Establish and keep under review an Accessibility Plan and an Asset Management/Building Development Plan.
• Monitor data on accidents and incidents.

Meetings: at least termly
Quorum: 3
Disqualifications: where there may be a conflict of a pecuniary interest

Virement Limits		Expenditure Limits
Limit set for Headteacher without prior written approval of Chair of Governing Body Where the cumulative effect of multiple virements on the same budget heading exceeds this limit, details are to be reported to the next Finance and Premises Committee meeting for information and retrospective approval	£5,000	Any items of expenditure up to	£
Limit set for Headteacher with approval from Chair of Governors A log of these approvals will be maintained and details reported to the next Finance and Premises Committee meeting.	£5,000 to £10,000	Above this limit if item was previously notified to the Governing body
Prior Finance and Premises Committee or Chair of Governors approval (whichever is the soonest) to be sought outside of these limits and reported to the Finance and Premises Committee at the earliest opportunity.

NB Any goods/services purchased and works to be carried out are subject to Durham County Council Contract Procedures Rules (January 2014) for quotations i.e. quotations, or tenders to be invited from capable contractors based on the likely value of the procurement over its lifetime.

• Between £500 and £5000 at least one quotation
• Between £5001 and £10,000 at least three quotations
• Over £50,000 full tender exercise

Pay Review (First) Committee

Chair: Mr Philip Chater
Terms of Reference: 

• Annually agree the Teachers' Pay Policy.
• Act in accordance with the Teachers' Pay Policy and School Teachers Pay and Conditions Document (STPCD) when carrying out the annual review of teachers' salaries.
• Consider any requests made in accordance with HR policies e.g.  leave of absence etc. (Unless delegated to the Headteacher).
• Make any decisions under HR procedures adopted by the Governing Body e.g. disciplinary, grievance, ill-health, capability etc. (Unless delegated to the Headteacher).
• Lifting of Headteacher's suspension (lifting of all other staff suspensions delegated to the Chair of Governors).
• Deal with matters relating to staffing reductions, restructures and changes to the permanent school staffing structure.
• Consider representations from parents/carers in the case of suspensions in line with statutory guidance.
• Consider the appropriate ness of an y permanent exclusions or any suspension where one or more suspensions total more than 15 school days in one term or where a pupil is denied the c hance to take a public examination in line with statutory guidance.

Meetings: at least annually
Quorum: 3
Disqualifications: Headteacher; Chair of Governors (if have prior knowledge); where there may be a conflict of interest; any governor whose spouse/partner is involved; staff (annual pay review and matters relating to staffing reductions).

Appeals Committee

Chair: Dr Nikki Rutter

Valerie Hindmarsh, Gail Wheetam

Terms of Reference

• Consider any appeal against a decision made under the HR policies adopted by the Governing Body.
• Consider any appeal against a decision made by the First/Pay Review Committee during the annual review of teachers' salaries.
• Consider any appeal against selection for redundancy through a staffing reduction process.
• Consider complaint under Stage 2 of the school's Complaints Procedure.

Meetings: as and when required
Quorum: Must have at least the same number of Governors as were present at the original hearing.
Disqualifications: Headteacher; chair of Governors (if have prior knowledge); any Governor involved in the original hearing; where there may be a conflict of interest; any governor whose spouse/partner is involved; staff (appeals in relation to salary or staffing reduction decisions).

Headteacher's Performance Review Committee

Lead Governor: Mr Ken Flynn
Terms of Reference

• Set with the support of the Local Authority Advisor, the Headteacher's annual performance objectives.
• Monitor throughout the year the performance of the Headteacher against agreed performance objectives and hold interim review meetings.
• Review, with the support of the Local Authority Advisor achievement of performance objectives.
• Make recommendations to the Pay Review (First) Committee in respect of the Headteacher's performance and annual pay progression (where eligible).

Meetings: Autumn Term plus monitoring meetings
Disqualifications: Headteacher and staff

Staffing Committee

Chair: Mrs Val Hindmarch
Terms of Reference:

• Carry out an annual review of the staffing structure in consultation with the Headteacher and Finance and Premises Committee.
• Ensure the school is sufficiently staffed to fulfill the effective operation of the school and the School Improvement Plan (SIP).
• Oversee the recruitment and selection procedures for all staff.
• Keep under review work/life balance, working conditions and well-being including monitoring attendance management.
• Ensure that regular monitoring of the Single Central Record is undertaken and that it is up to date and compliant with current statutory guidance.
• Ensure that the school's policy on safeguarding and child protection is compliant with the most recent KCSIE guidance and LCSB expectations.

Meetings: At least annually
Quorum: 3
Disqualifications: where there may be a conflict of a pecuniary interest; any Governor whose spouse/partner is involved.

Delegation to the Headteacher
School Staffing (England) Regulations 2009

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

Appointments:

Governing Body delegates to the Headteacher responsibility for the appointment of temporary staff (with the involvement of one or more Governor/(s)

Dismissals:

Delegation in line with school HR Policies

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.