Governor’s Annual Statement

Academic Year 2020/21

Foreword

At Mission Grove, we strive to ensure all of our pupils leave as well-rounded individuals who have the passion and confidence to do their best, and the skills to succeed and flourish in life. The governing body is proud of the safe, caring and inclusive environment created by all staff at Mission Grove, and we fully support the school’s aims to:

• Follow its motto ‘Respect yourself, respect others’;
• Promote social, cultural, moral and spiritual development, preparing pupils to be responsible citizens;
• Encourage partnership with parents/carers and foster positive links with the community.

In accordance with the government’s requirements, the governing body at Mission Grove Primary School concentrates on three core strategic functions:

• Ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction;
• Holding the Headteacher to account for the educational performance of the school and its pupils;
• Overseeing the financial performance of the school and making sure its money is well spent.

Governance Arrangements

The governing body is made up of 13 positions:

• 3 parent governors appointed by ballot of the parents at the school
• 1 staff governor appointed by ballot of the staff
• 1 headteacher
• 1 Local Authority governor nominated by the Local Authority
• 7 Co-opted governors appointed by the governing body based on a skills audit (including 1 additional staff governor)

School governors are all volunteers and give a huge amount of their time for the benefit of the pupils of Mission Grove. Governors (apart from the Headteacher) are all appointed, they are independent, and have equal status to each other. They act first and foremost in the best interests of the school.

The governors are part of the leadership of the school. Together with the Headteacher, Business Manager and  Senior Leadership Team, they have planned, monitored and supported every aspect of the school’s work. This happens through half-termly governing body meetings, along with half-termly meetings of the curriculum and finance committees. These committees operate within agreed Terms of Reference, and report back to the full governing body. We have a cycle of business to help us ensure that all the topics we are required to oversee in a year are covered.

Minutes of governing body meetings are available on the governor’s section of the Mission Grove website.

Covid

2020/21 has been a particularly challenging year for everyone. Mission Grove became a hub school for the LA. Home learning was provided via Microsoft Teams, with the school open for vulnerable families and key workers. The pandemic has impacted on the curriculum, health and well being of all and the finances of the school.  As the Governing Body we have reviewed the school risk assessments and Business Continuity Plan regularly. Many trips and events have had to be cancelled or postponed. The Governors are keen to ensure that no child misses out on the enrichment opportunities that the school offers and will continue to support the use of funds to enable the children to access activities.

Attendance and skills analysis

A copy of the governing body’s annual attendance record is available on the governor’s section of the school website. In the autumn term of each year, the governing body also completes an annual skills analysis; we use this to inform our training and development and to help identify gaps that we can fill when recruiting to our vacancies. This report is anonymised and is available on the school website.

Monitoring and evaluating

Governors undertake a number of activities in order to monitor and evaluate how the school is operating. In full governing body and committee meetings, we receive reports and presentations from the Headteacher, Senior Leadership Team and subject coordinators.

Each non-staff governor has link responsibilities. Link governors monitor their area of responsibility by engaging with the lead staff member within the school for that area. They check that all required processes and procedures are in place, and report back to the full governing body. Mission Grove has link governors in the following areas:

• Numeracy
• Literacy
• Science
• Computing
• Creative and expressive arts
• Wellbeing
• Behaviour and attendance
• Finance and pupil premium
• Early years foundation stage
• Special educational needs and disabilities
• Safeguarding and looked after children

Effectiveness and impact

The school has a School Development Plan (SDP) that is used by the governing body and senior leadership team to ensure the school is working strategically to deliver the best education for every child. Below is an overview of some of the ways the governing body carried out its duty to monitor and support the school in the delivery of the SDP in the academic year 2020/21

• The governing body have approved financial proposals and the use of pupil premium, followed by scrutiny of the impact of this spending;
• Governors have received presentations from the LA on being OFSTED ready and Disciplinaries.
• Governors have attended a range of Local Authority training sessions, allowing them to better understand and develop their roles;
• Governors have attended Local Authority governor briefings, and the Local Authority Chairs’ Forum to ensure they are up-to-date with new developments;
• Governors have presented link reports on literacy, maths, science, safeguarding, SEND, Early Years, relationships and wellbeing.

 

Key priorities for next year

Over the next academic year, the governing body has set itself the following priorities:

• To support the school with teaching and learning following the impact of remote learning during the pandemic ;
• To support new governors, and established governors in new roles, through an induction process and training provided by the Local Authority and;
• To monitor the continued financial implications that Covid19 has had on the school budget;
• To support the implementation of the new Health and Relationships policy and curriculum;
• To support the mental health and wellbeing of staff and pupils;

The governing body will continue to support and challenge the Headteacher and Senior Leadership Team in working towards the school’s priorities:

• Raising attendance of pupils as they start returning to school;
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• Raising expectations of all pupils;
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• Tracking and monitoring vulnerable groups;
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• Embedding a creative curriculum across all year groups;
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• Ensuring governors fulfil their strategic role in support and challenge.

Conclusion

This report gives only a snapshot of the work and activities carried out at Mission Grove over the last academic year. The governing body would like to thank Ms Jennings and her team for their dedication and commitment to ensuring every child has a stimulating, fulfilling and enjoyable education.

If you would like any further information about the governing body, or if you have any questions, please contact the chair of governors at chair@missiongrove.org.uk

Signed on behalf of the governing body

Dr Paul Brown (chair of governors)