Governors
Much of the work of the Governing Body is around the strategic leadership of the school which means we support the school leadership team in making both good financial decisions and also making sure that decisions about children's education are good. We track the progress of the school which means we look at how well our children are performing in their education. We also look at how well our teachers are teaching and our learning support assistants provide support.
Our work is divided across committees which meet each term.
All our meetings are open and any parents or members of the wider community can attend to observe. If you would like to attend a meeting, please contact our clerk, clerk@stjohnscofe.uk for further information. You would be most welcome.
Purpose and role of the Governing Body
The purpose of our Governing Body is to help St John's provide the best possible education for its pupils. We have three key functions:
To bring strategic direction. This includes developing the vision for the school and setting the school development plan and monitoring its implementation.
To support and challenge the Headteacher and Senior Leaders and to hold them to account for the children’s educational performance and the quality of teaching in the school.
To oversee the financial performance of the school and make sure its money is well-spent
There are 14 members, each of whom is appointed for a four year term, after which time they may seek re-election.
Full members are drawn from five areas of the school community:
Parents of current pupils
Staff – the Headteacher, teachers and support staff
Local Authority –appointed by the Local Authority,
Co-opted – members co-opted for their useful skills,
Foundation – members are appointed by the Diocese and the PCC.
Associates also attend meetings but are not entitled to vote.
It is important to note that, although these members are representative of the school community, they are not intended to represent the views of the particular community from which they are drawn. Once elected or appointed, members should always act in what they consider to be the best interests of the school.
The Governing Body works in close partnership with the Headteacher, staff, the Diocese of Southwark and the Local Authority. Whilst the headteacher is responsible for the day to day running of the school, the governors are involved, for example with such things as staffing, curriculum, health and safety, safe guarding, school buildings and finance. It ensures the school functions well and maintains the proper range of academic and social objectives. The Governing Body works as a team with shared responsibilities. Governors never make decisions on their own, nor do they act as individuals
Governors accept collective responsibility for all decisions taken, regardless of whether they personally voted for them and ensure that the detail of discussions in meetings, including the votes of individual governors, remain confidential. This latter point is crucial for ensuring mutual trust, which is essential for effective school governance.
Meetings of the Governing Body and Committees
The full Governing Body meets once per term. Parents and staff are welcome to approach the chair to ask for an invitation to attend meetings as observers, except where confidential matters are to be discussed.
Much of the work of the Governing Body is done through its two committees, which meet once per term ahead of the main Governing Body meetings. Each governor sits on at least one of these committees. They are:
Teaching and Learning Committee– which sets and monitors targets for educational achievement.
The Finance and Resources Committee– this oversees the efficient and effective use of all the school’s resources, including staff, finance, premises and equipment.
If you would like to view the minutes from a Governor meeting, please visit our school office to request a copy.
Contacting Governors
If you would like to find out more about the work of the Governing Body, please contact the Chair of Governors via the school office. Anyone seeking election to the Governing Body may arrange to attend a meeting before election so that you can reach an informed decision about whether you wish to be involved in school governance.
Normally, any issues concerning the running of the school should, in the first instance, be addressed to a member of St John’s staff or its Senior Leadership Team. However, should any issue be unresolved via this route or should an issue arise which you would prefer not to discuss with a member of staff, you may contact the Chair of Governors via email at clerk@stjohnscofe.uk
Role of the Governing Body
Our Purpose: Improving the quality of education and standards of achievement for St John’s children.
The Governing Body answers for its actions to parents and the wider local community for the school’s performance. It is accountable for holding the leadership to account within the Ofsted judgements and the Church of England framework. We achieve this through our goals and by being challenging and supportive to the school.
| Goal 1: Setting Strategic Direction | Goal 2: Creating Accountability | Goal 3: Ensuring Financial Correctness |
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What this means:
Governors know their school; its strengths and weaknesses; to hold senior leaders to account for all aspects of the school’s performance through rigorous planning and controls to ensure effective and efficient management of the school’s resources to deliver high expectations for children’s learning and development.
How we achieve this:
- To act in the best interests of the school - balancing short and long term school and community challenges
- To work as a member of a team at all times and be loyal to collective decisions and transparent
- To recognise that all Governors have the same rights and responsibilities and that no Governor can act alone
- Respect confidentiality, listen to and respect the views of others and involve the right people in our decisions
- Taking a fair share of work/positions of responsibility and bringing the right skills on a voluntary basis
- Governors are held to account by strict terms of reference and selection processes and through regular training
Our meetings:
- Every two weeks the Chair meets with the Head to discuss progress and to provide support and tour the school
- Once a term the Full Governing Body meet to review pupil progress, including vulnerable groups, discuss budgets, review health and safety and to provide updates
- Termly each Governor visits the school to observe teaching in all subjects and discuss progress with management
- At least annually Pay and Admissions Committees meet to review and plan
- Support as required e.g. PTA, Parent Forums and Meet the Head sessions, meeting the School Business Manager
Governors’ funds:
As a voluntarily aided school parents are encouraged to contribute a small amount annually. The fund is transparently and carefully managed by Governors and annually is independently audited. Funds are used to support the above objectives.
Contacting us:
It is normal practice to raise questions or concerns with your Teacher or the School Leadership team and thereafter the Chair of Governors. We aim to respond quickly to all correspondence. We welcome contact via clerk@stjohnscofe.uk
Governing Body Structure
Structure of the Governing Body 2024-2025
Governors Meeting Dates
Governors' Attendance Log
It is a statutory requirement to record and publish the Governors Attendance Register and Membership at the Full Governing Body and sub-committee meetings over the last academic year.
Governors are expected to attend meetings reguarly. All Governors should attend the Full Governing Body meeting each term as well as any of the sub-committees they are members of.
Governor attendance is recorded at each meeting by the Clerk and any apologies recorded