News from the Governors

 

Feedback from the parental survey suggested that some parents would like more information about the work of the governing body.   Over the year, we aim to share with you more information about what governors do, starting with an overview of the role of governors and how we are organised.

The three core functions of Morley Memorial Primary School’s governing body are:

  1. Ensuring clarity of vision, ethos, values and strategic direction
  2. Holding the head-teacher to account for the educational performance of the school and its pupils and the performance management of staff
  3. Overseeing the financial performance of the school and making sure its money is well spent.

The governing body is made up of:

  • Two parent governors
  • One staff governor
  • The head teacher
  • One local authority governor
  • Ten co-opted governors.

The full governing body meets five or six times a year and focuses on key strategic priorities. In addition, there are four committees:

  • Resources Committee that deals with finance, premises and personnel matters.
  • Learning Committee that deals with matters related to teaching, learning and behaviour.
  • Performance Management Committee that monitors the performance management of staff and undertakes the head teacher’s performance management.
  • Salary Review Committee that deals with issues around pay. This met once.

Every year, the governing body produces an “Annual Governance Statement” which describes what they have done of the previous year. This is available to view on the school website.

http://morley.cambs.sch.uk/governors/

We always welcome suggestions, feedback and ideas from parents.   Please contact our Chair of Governors, Nicky Odgers, via the school office or at chair@Morley.cambs.sch.uk.

Job Opportunity – Clerk to the Governing Body

Are you a brilliant administrator? Do you want to get back into work after taking a career break? Do you have existing commitments but are interested in expanding your opportunities?

Morley Memorial Primary School is looking to appoint a clerk to the governing body.

  • Hours: 3.5 hours a week
  • Salary: £19,742pa pro rata (£10.23 per hour)

The role of the clerk to governors it to:

  • provide advice to the governing body on governance, constitutional and procedural matters
  • provide effective administration of governor meetings and other governance matters
  • manage information for the governing body in accordance with legal requirements

The successful candidate will have excellent administrative, interpersonal and communication skills. They will need to be pro-active about taking the initiative and will need to be exceptionally well organised. They should have a flexible approach to working hours and be committed to their own professional development.

Full details of the position and how to apply can be found here.

Morley Memorial Primary School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The successful candidate will be appointed subject to references and will be required to apply for a DBS check.

Governor Update – School Development Plan

In November, the Governing Body formally agreed the school development plan. The plan identifies priorities for the year and is developed after careful consideration of a range of evidence, including data about children’s progress and attainment, views of senior leaders and staff, feedback from the parental questionnaire and governor visits to the school. The plan is a stepping-stone towards achieving our vision of brilliant teaching and facilities, a creative curriculum that stretches and rewards all learners, engaging parents and the wider community in the life of the school and helping all children at Morley develop the social skills they need.

Priorities for the year

  • Our pupils generally do very well compared to other schools, particularly our higher attaining children. However, there are groups of children who we feel might benefit from particular attention. This year we are aiming to reduce the gap between attainment for boy and girls, further improve outcomes for children who receive pupil premium funding and continue to ensure that pupils at risk of under-achievement are identified early and given effective interventions.
  • Teaching at Morley is already solidly good. We will continue to develop teachers professional skills because we know that great teaching is the key to maximising your child’s learning. Teachers are being given time to share good practice and plan collaboratively. Coaching opportunities are available to those who wish to access them and teachers will continue to develop a truly creative curriculum. Subject leaders and middle managers will be given further opportunities to develop their leadership skills.
  • Behaviour at Morley is generally good but inevitably children are not always angels! We want to make sure that incidents of inappropriate behaviour are dealt with quickly and in collaboration with parents. The school has introduced a new tracking system to monitor behaviour and where appropriate, parents and staff will meet to discuss how they can work together to best to support children’s behaviour.
  • We aim to give children a stronger voice in shaping their school. Over the year, pupils will have increased opportunities to say what they think should happen at Morley.
  • We are also focusing on improving the school’s premises and facilities.

Click here for more information about what Morley’s school governors do.

Governor news – Are you interested in becoming a governor?

After Christmas we will have a vacancy for a parent governor on Morley’s Governing Body. In January we will be formally asking for nominations from interested parents. An election will be held if more than one parent puts themselves forward.

The role of the Governing Body is to clarify the school’s vision, ethos and strategic direction, hold the head to account for the performance of the school and ensure the budget is well spent. Click here for more information about what governors do.

You don’t need to be an expert in education to become a governor. You need to have an interest in the school and welfare of our children and the time and willingness to get involved. We would be particularly interested to receive nominations from people who have experience of:

  • premises or facilities management
  • procurement / purchasing
  • being a board member
  • chairing a board, governing body or committee
  • financial planning
  • performance management

If you are interested in becoming a governor, please get in touch with Nicky Odgers, the chair of governors (chair@morley.cambs.sch.uk) for an informal chat to find out more about the role and the time commitment involved.

Governor update – Resources Committee

The Resources Committee has been busy this school year overseeing the school’s use of resources and facilities.

Good news on the school budget. The Government has introduced a new fairer funding formula that has significantly improved the amount of funding given to Cambridgeshire schools. Morley’s budget has always been well managed, but with very little flexibility. This year we will be using the additional resources to invest in teaching, including training and development.

We’re also delighted that the council is pressing ahead with the consultation on the school redevelopment plans and hope to see lots of parents at the event this coming Monday.

Finally, we’ve agreed a new approach to the parent survey this year, making it easier for you to complete. That will be opening up in the next couple of weeks and we hope all parents will take the time to complete it. Feedback from parents is really important and we’ll share the results with you before the summer break.