Governing Board update: December 2024
The autumn term Full Governing Board meeting took place 4 December 2024, in school. The meeting was chaired by myself.
Governors welcomed Ceri Marrow and Lousie Brown, new parent governors, and Kym Swales, new staff governor, to their first full governing board meeting. My thanks for their support for the school - new governors help ensure that the Governing Board is strong and continues to be effective in its work.
Governors approved the minutes from the September 2024 full governing board meeting and reviewed agreed actions - Mr Whitehead will be putting the minutes on the school website, as usual.
Governors then heard updates from the autumn term curriculum and finance and resource committee meetings, and the November Pay Committee, and reviewed the updated arrangements for recording governor monitoring.
Governors were then able to discuss the autumn term Headteacher’s report with Mr Whitehead - the Headteacher’s report provides an overview of the academic year, to date, including staff training, curriculum development, attendance and attainment, in the context of the school strategic plan.
Discussion points included:
- Foundation subjects and mixed age class groups - in the context of the November 2023 Ofsted visit report;
- Collective Worship;
- Extra-curricular activities - access for all children;
- Attendance - a key government priority - our attendance remains strong both when viewed locally and nationally - governors will nevertheless continue to closely monitor the situation;
- Attainment - including a particular focus on phonics.
Governors then looked at staff well-being - a key priority for governors as all evidence nationally says that both workload and expectations of school staff are considerable, with significant implications for well-being. My thanks to Kym Swales for her work in collating the latest staff survey.
Governors next discussed the governor safeguarding monitoring report and were able to question Mr Whitehead on safeguarding approaches and behaviour in school.
Governors then looked at the ‘academisation agenda’ in light of the latest diocese guidance on ‘academisation’. Governors agreed to continue to closely monitor ‘academisation’ locally to ensure that the school continued to be in a strong position.
The diocese requires CE schools to give what is termed ‘due consideration’ to ‘academisation’ every three to four years. Governors agreed to revisit ‘due consideration’ in autumn 2025. Please be reassured that any decision to progress ‘academisation’ will be taken with the best interest of the school at the centre, and after careful consideration and with consultations in line with all guidance.
Governors then looked briefly at parental engagement - a Parent Forum is planned for the spring term.
Governors then approved a range of school policy documents, including the: Complaints policy; E-Safety policy; Missing Child procedures; Managing Medicines policy and the Pay policy.
Governors next looked at governor training in the light of the skills audit and both North Yorkshire and diocese advice - Mr Whitehead and myself are to ensure a range of options are available to all governors.
Governors finally reflected on three governance self-evaluation questions - strong governance is important in ensuring that the school continues to provide a high quality education for all Kildwick children whilst promoting the safety and well-being of staff and children.
The next governors meeting is the spring term curriculum meeting in early February 2025.
I am happy to discuss the work of governors and can be contacted through: [email protected]
Governing Board meeting minutes and further information on the work of the governors can be seen on the school website at: www.kildwickceschool.org.uk
My thanks to everyone for their support throughout the term - I wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
John Perry
Chair of Governors
December 2024