How does the local governing body work?
How does the local governing body work?
The River Learning Trust delegates key strategic responsibilities to the local governing body. The governors then work collaboratively with the Headteacher and senior staff to establish the vision and ethos of the school within the context of The River Learning Trust. Together with the Headteacher and senior staff, they use the published school performance data and additional outcomes from the school’s self-evaluation to inform priorities in the School Improvement Plan. They set clear, ambitious targets for the school and support the Headteacher in developing policies, budgets, and staffing structures to achieve these aims. They also appoint the Headteacher.
Governors act as critical friends to the school, reviewing the performance of the Headteacher, checking that progress is being made towards targets, and evaluating the effectiveness of policies and the School Improvement Plan. They also help celebrate the school's successes and ensure that parents and carers are appropriately involved and informed.
Governors get to know the school by attending meetings and visiting the school during the day.
The governing body is organised into two sub-committees, which take responsibility for holding the Headteacher accountable for the educational and financial performance of the school. Each governor is allocated to one of the two sub-committees, and some governors take on specific responsibilities, for example, Safeguarding and Health & Safety. All governors attend the Local Governing Body Meetings.
Impact Committee: This committee has an overview of the academic performance of the school and the children's experiences.
Impact Committee Members:
Ele Chriton (Chair of Committee & Community Governor)
Kate Coldwell (Parent Governor)
Emilie Ferguson (Parent Governor)
Jon Gray (Headteacher)
Beth Howley (Community Governor)
Miriam Levene (Community Governor)
Chris Phillips (Community Governor)
Charlotte Stewart (Deputy Headteacher & Satff Governor)
Patrick Vale (Parent Governor & Chair of Governors)
Resources Committee: This committee has an overview of the effectiveness of the school's resources, including staffing, equipment and the building and grounds. It also oversees the school's budget, Health & Safety and Safeguarding.
Resources Committee Members:
Susie Cogan (Chair of Committee & Community Governor)
Evin Abrishami (Community Governor)
Jon Gray (Headteacher)
Jane Millin (Staff Governor)
Charlie Rex (Community Governor)
Patrick Vale (Parent Governor & Chair of Governors)
Invited Rachel Forsyth (Business Manager)
Governors also have individual responsibilities. These governors will meet regularly with staff at the school.
Admissions: Admissions Committee (Resources Committee)
Assessment: Chris Phillips
Attendance: Beth Howley
Behaviour and Attendance: Beth Howley
Communications & PR: Charlie Rex
English: Emile Ferguson
Equality & Diversity: Evin Abrishami
EYFS: Kate Coldwell
Finance: Susie Cogan
Health and Safety: Evin Abrishami
Inspire Curriculum: Ele Crichton, Kate Coldwell, Emilie Ferguson & Chris Phillips
Mathematics: Ele Crichton
Pupil Premium: Chris Phillips
Safeguarding: Beth Howley
SEND: Miriam Levene
Site & Resources Development: Patrick Vale
Staffing & Appraisal: Pay Committee (Resources Committee)