The School Governors

The Governing Body plays a vital role in the life of the school. It is responsible for setting the overall strategy, vision and ethos of the school, formulating and reviewing school policies and overseeing the educational and financial performance of the school. Our aim is to provide the best possible education, in the best possible environment for the children who attend Newton Bluecoat Church of England Primary School. 

WHAT IS THE GOVERNOR VISION FOR NEWTON BLUECOAT CE SCHOOL? 

The Governors will ensure that the school retains its fabulous reputation as a high-achieving, nurturing, Church of England Primary School, where all children flourish as a result of being able to 'shine from the inside out'.  This has recently been endorsed by OFSTED in November 2022 and SIAMs in February 2024. The Governors will ensure pupil achievement continues to remain excellent, whilst promoting a rich and vibrant curriculum that meets the needs of our learners and traditional Christian values will remain at the heart of our success.

In accordance with the Government’s requirement for all governing bodies, the 3 core strategic functions of Newton Bluecoat CE Primary School Governing Body are:

• Ensuring clarity of vision, ethos, values 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 Structure and Meetings

We are made up of:

7 Foundation Governors

1 Foundation ex officio Governor

1 Staff Governor

1 Headteacher Governor

2 Elected Parent Governors

1 Local Authority Governor

I Co-opted Governor

 

Foundation Governors

Foundation governors are only in voluntary schools and some foundation schools. They are appointed by the body or bodies named in the Instrument of Government. They are appointed to preserve and develop the religious character of the school, if it has a religious character, and to secure compliance with the trust deed.

An ex officio Governor is a member of a Governing board by virtue of holding another office. In Voluntary Aided or Voluntary Controlled schools, this is usually the incumbent, the vicar, rector, or priest in charge of the parish in which the school is situated.

Co-opted governors

Co-opted governors are only in schools with governing bodies constituted on or after 1 September 2012. Governing bodies constituted before that date have community governors.

Co-opted governors are appointed by the governing body and are people who the governing body believes have skills which will contribute to the effective governance and success of the school.

There is no restriction on the categories of people who can be appointed as co-opted governors.

Parent governors

Parents, including carers, of pupils at the school are eligible to stand for election as parent governors. They are elected by other parents.  If not enough parents stand for election, the governing body can appoint parent governors.

The law does not allow elected members of the local authority, or people who work at the school for more than 500 hours in a year, to become parent governors.

The headteacher makes arrangements for holding an election if there is a vacancy for a parent governor at the school.

Staff governors

Staff governors are elected by the school staff. Both teaching and support staff employed to work at the school are eligible for staff governorship; volunteers are not eligible.

The headteacher makes arrangements for holding an election if there is a vacancy for a staff governor at the school.

Local Authority governors

Local authority governors are appointed by the local authority (Lancashire County Council) or nominated by the local authority and appointed by the governing body.

Anyone who is eligible to be a staff governor cannot be appointed as a local authority governor, but any other eligible person can.

The Governing Body is a team of people from all walks of life who have a common aim; to work together to provide the best possible education for the pupils at Newton Bluecoat CE Primary School.

 

All Governors involve themselves actively in the work of the Governing Body and have a fair share of responsibilities, including serving on committees.  The Governing Body meets, in full, at least twice every term to discuss new initiatives and school progress.  All the Governors are members of committees that meet at least once a term, dealing with the fine details of running the school.  No governor claimed any expenses during academic year 2022-2023.

Committees

The Standards and Effectiveness committee is concerned with pupil progress, and maintaining high standards in the school, particularly in the teaching and learning of maths and English. It is also concerned with safeguarding the pupils.

The Curriculum and Pupil Welfare Committee is concerned with all school subjects and pupils’ personal development, behaviour & welfare. This committee meets in school during the day, so the governors can see the school in action.

The Resources committee is concerned with finance, the premises and the personnel policies. This committee also considers health and safety.

Governors are also required to attend training so that they are clear about their role and responsibilities in school. Individual governors have an interest in specific subjects or aspects of leadership and management of the school. The overriding responsibility of governors is to set the strategic direction of the school and ensure that it is run well for the safety and benefit of all our pupils.