Governors
The governors at Christ Church work as a team. We are responsible for making sure the school provides excellent quality education and secures the welfare of pupils.
Securing the school’s mission and sustaining its ethos is a key priority as is raising standards. This has the best chance of happening when all members of the school community are clear about the purpose of the school and have high expectations of what pupils can achieve. We want the best for your children and our school.
Governors also promote effective ways of teaching and learning when setting the school’s aims and policies. They do this together with the head teacher, who is responsible for the day to day management of the school. Heads are chosen by governors – and most heads choose to be governors themselves.
Governors are elected for a period of four years.
As a board of governors we:
- ensure that the school delivers a broad education and encourages the children’s moral and cultural development.
- are accountable for the performance of the school to parents and the wider community
- plan the school’s future direction and set targets
- select the head teacher and deputy head teacher
- make decisions on the school’s budget and staffing
- make sure the National Curriculum is delivered effectively
- make sure the school provides for all its pupils, including those with special needs
We will strive to make the school the best possible place to be for all involved in our school community.
We have three committees – Curriculum and Standards, Resources and Pupil Welfare
Curriculum and Standards Committee.
Chair – Judith Derby
Purpose of committee
The school curriculum comprises all learning and other experiences that each school provides for its pupils. The range of responsibilities for the curriculum are shared between the head teacher, the governing body, the LA and the Secretary of State for Education and Skills. The curriculum committee may have responsibility for monitoring test results and teaching of the national curriculum and reviewing the assessment policy, the school visit policy and the school’s provision and policy on sex education, collective worship and RE. It should also monitor provision for pupils with special educational needs or exceptional ability.
Terms of reference:
- To consider and advise the governing body on standards and other matters relating to the school’s curriculum, including statutory requirements and the School’s Curriculum Policy
- To consider curricular issues which have implications for Finance and Personnel decisions and to make recommendations to the relevant committees or the Governing Body
- To make arrangements for the Governing Body to be represented at School Improvement discussions with the LA and for reports to be received by the Governing Body
- To oversee arrangements for individual governors to take a leading role in specific areas of provision, eg SEN, Literacy, Numeracy. To receive regular reports from them and advise the Governing Body.
- To oversee arrangements for educational visits, including the appointment of a named co-ordinator.
| The Role of the Chair of a Committee
To ensure the business of the Committee is conducted properly, in accordance with legal requirements To ensure meetings are run effectively, focusing on priorities and making the best use of time available, and to ensure that all members have an equal opportunity to participate in discussion and decision-making. |
| The Role of the Clerk to Committees
To advise the Committee on procedural and legal matters To convene meetings of the Committee To attend meetings of the Committee and ensure minutes are taken To perform such other functions with respect to the Committee as may be determined by the Governing Body from time to time |
Disqualification – the Headteacher
Resources Committee
Chair – Elaine Speakman-Davies
Purpose of committee
The finance and resources committee would be established to review and agree the school’s proposals for the budget and recommend it to the full governing body, review the school fund account and review and keep track of expenditure.
Terms of reference:
- In consultation with the Headteacher, to draft the first formal budget plan of the financial year
- To establish and maintain an up to date 3 year financial plan
- To consider a budget position statement including virement decisions at least termly and to report significant anomalies from the anticipated position to the Governing Body
- To ensure that the school operates within the Financial Regulations of the County Council
- 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 agreements
- To prepare financial statements for inclusion in the governing body report to parents
- To make decisions on expenditure following recommendations from other committees
- To ensure, as far as is practical, that Health and Safety issues are appropriately prioritised
- To determine whether sufficient funds are available for pay increments as recommended by the Headteacher
- In the light of the Headteacher Performance Management Group’s recommendations, to determine whether sufficient funds are available for increments
Disqualification
Any relevant person employed to work at the school other than as the headteacher, when the subject for consideration is the pay or performance review of any person employed to work at the school.
| The Role of the Clerk to Committee
To advise the Committee on procedural and legal matters To convene meetings of the Committee To attend meetings of the Committee and ensure minutes are taken To perform such other functions with respect to the Committee as may be determined by the Governing Body from time to time |
Disqualification from this role – the Headteacher and School Business Manager
| The Role of the Chair of the Committee
To ensure the business of the Governing Body is conducted properly, in accordance with legal and Cheshire West and Chester Council delegation requirements. To ensure meetings are run effectively, focusing on priorities and making the best use of time available, and to ensure that all members have an equal opportunity to participate in discussion and decision-making To establish and foster an effective relationship with the Headteacher based on trust and mutual respect for each other’s roles. The Chair has an important role in ensuring that the Governing Body acts as a sounding board to the Headteacher and provides strategic direction To set the agenda and inform the clerk of business to be covered 1 week prior to the meeting |
Disqualification – the Headteacher, Staff Governors, Pupils, Staff Members
Pupil welfare Committee.
Chair – Debbie Wilkinson
Purpose of committee
‘Pupil Support’ comprises other experiences that each school provides for its pupils outside of the academic experiences offered. The range of responsibilities are shared between the head teacher, the governing body, the LA and the Secretary of State for Education and Skills. The Pupil Support committee may have responsibility for monitoring outcomes for set groups, how welfare needs are being met and the relevant policies are both written and monitored. It should also monitor provision for pupils with special educational needs or exceptional ability.
Terms of reference:
- To consider and advise the governing body on standards and other matters relating to the school’s care of pupils, including statutory requirements.
- To consider pupil well-being issues which have implications for Finance and Personnel decisions and to make recommendations to the relevant committees or the Governing Body
- To make arrangements for the Governing Body to be represented at School Improvement discussions with the LA and for reports to be received by the Governing Body
- To oversee arrangements for individual governors to take a leading role in specific areas of provision, eg SEN, Safeguarding, LAC. To receive regular reports from them and advise the Governing Body.
- To oversee the following areas: Pastoral/ethos, parent liaison, attendance/punctuality, personal development and well-being, Every Child Matters Outcomes, safeguarding and community cohesion. Equalities Pupil Premium (care of/nurture)
| The Role of the Chair of a Committee
To ensure the business of the Committee is conducted properly, in accordance with legal requirements To ensure meetings are run effectively, focusing on priorities and making the best use of time available, and to ensure that all members have an equal opportunity to participate in discussion and decision-making |
Disqualification – none
| The Role of the Clerk to Committee
To advise the Committee on procedural and legal matters To convene meetings of the Committee To attend meetings of the Committee and ensure minutes are taken To perform such other functions with respect to the Committee as may be determined by the Governing Body from time to time |
Disqualification – the Headteacher