Each year, governors like to update you with what’s going on in the governing body of Moortown Primary. This year, the chairs of the three sub-committees give you this overview…
Teaching and learning sub-committee
The governing body’s teaching and learning committee consists of five governors and Mr Roundtree. The purpose of the committee is to discuss and monitor all aspects of the school’s work around pupil attainment and progress, which means how well children do in tests at the end of key stages and how much improvement they make between key stages. Our role is to look at this for the pupil body as a whole, but also for groups of pupils, such as boys and girls, pupils from different ethnic backgrounds, pupils with a special educational need, etc. We use national comparison data to assess how well pupils at Moortown are doing, compared with similar pupils nationally.
We meet every term to discuss issues such as how much progress children are making in their learning throughout the year, how the needs of children who need a little extra support in their learning are being met, and how the school is making good use of its pupil premium funding. (Pupil premium is a government initiative to provide additional funding for pupils whose families have a lower income; the eligibility for pupil premium is whether a child is or has been entitled to free school meals – even if they have a packed lunch instead.) We don’t look at the data for individual children; we use the school’s own tracking processes to look at progress for each class as a whole, and for some groups of pupils within a class.
Within the committee we have a link governor for literacy, one for maths, and one for the Early Years Foundation Stage (teaching and learning in Reception). The role of the link governors is to meet every term with the corresponding member of school staff and discuss progress in the action plans for each of these areas. In this way we have members of the governing body who become more knowledgeable about each area and are well placed to undertake their role as ‘critical friend.’
Pupil support sub-committee
The Pupil Support Committee meets every term to discuss the matters that affect pupils when they are at school. The committee is made up of four governors, one of whom acts as the chairperson, and the Headteacher. Other teachers or staff members might also come along to meetings depending on what is to be discussed.
There are certain things that we talk about regularly such as attendance, safeguarding (ensuring that children are kept safe when in school) and behaviour in school. We also discuss and approve a wide range of policies including Uniform, Positive Relationships (about behaviour in school) and Equality – these can be found on the school’s website.
One of the first things that we will be discussing at our next committee meeting is the Attendance Policy. We have high expectations with regard this.
Mr Roundtree outlined in a recent letter to parents and carers the regulations on school attendance are changing. From September onwards, term-time absences can only be granted in exceptional circumstances and the school’s Attendance Policy will be changed to reflect this and to clarify what we and other local schools regard as ‘exceptional’. This does not mean simply to go on holiday or visit a distant relative – school holidays are the time to do this.
Resources sub-committee
The Resources Committee meets termly to discuss financial, health and safety and premise matters facing the school. The committee comprises of five governors, one of whom chairs, and Mr Roundtree and Mrs O’Malley.
In addition to the termly meetings, governors participate in monthly budget reviews and provide challenge as to where the school spends its money, as well as the annual budget setting with the local authority. We are pleased to inform you that the budget is healthy and that the school has a strong financial foundation.
This means we can refurbish and develop the existing ICT Suite. The works will be undertaken this summer and will be ready for use when the pupils return in September. We’re creating a multi-purpose room for cooking, circle times, ICT skills – basically, a new learning space!
We also undertake premises inspections with the Resources Manager (Mrs O’Malley) and provide challenge to estate and health and safety issues.
