A quick update to let you know some of the things governors have been doing in the last few weeks:

• Governors on the Performance Management Committee met with the head to check that the appraisal system is being used effectively to improve outcomes for children. We are pleased to report that it is.
• The Salary Review committee met to agree salary recommendations for teaching staff.
• The safeguarding link governor has visited the school to monitor how the school is keeping children safe.   This involved going through a very detailed audit with Mrs Darby of all the things the school does to protect children.   We are pleased to report that the school has a very rigorous approach towards safeguarding.

At the beginning of September 2016, the head reported in the weekly newsletter that plans for the building redevelopment had been submitted to the planning authority and that the school hoped to hear back from the local authority and planning committee soon.

A request has recently been made for additional information about the planning process to be published on the school website.   The head and governing body hope this additional information will be enable parents and the public to better understand the planning process and how plans can be viewed and commented upon.

Which planning authority have the plans been submitted to?

·       The planning authority is Cambridgeshire County Council and the planning application is a Regular 3 application. A Regular 3 application allows the council to be the planning authority for the county councils own development in schools.

Does the planning application have a reference number?

·       Yes, the planning application reference number is: C/5008/16/CC.

Where can I see the planning application?

·       All planning applications are available to view on the planning authorities website.  To view a planning application follow the link below and use the planning application reference number C/5008/16/CC

·       http://planning.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/swift/apas/run/wphappcriteria.display

How can I comment on the plans?

·    To comment on the planning application, view the planning application on the planning authorities website as described above.  The webpage will allow you to comment on the planning application.

·       The link below gives additional information about how to comment on planning applications

·       http://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/info/20099/planning_and_development/234/planning

Where else can I see the plans for proposed re-development?

·       The plans continue to be available to view in Morley’s community room.  Please contact the office if you would like to view them.

Where can I find out more about the proposed re-development?

·       Information about the planned redevelopment continues to be available on the school website.

When will parents hear more about the planning application?

·       At present there are no further developments to report apart from the notification that the planning application has been submitted which was in the newsletter of 9^th Sept 2016.   Once the school hears back from the planning authority, the head and governors will inform parents of the outcome.

In the Autumn Term, one of the most important roles for governors is to agree a school development plan for the academic year. Governors agree the most important areas to focus on and goals to work towards. The head and staff then develop a detailed plan to make the make sure the goals are achieved.

Governors gather information from lots of different sources to make sure we are picking the right priorities. For example, we discuss priorities with the head teacher in governors meetings, we talk to teachers and pupils during visits to the school, we ask for the opinion of parents in the annual survey and we look at government documents that allow us to compare the results of children at Morley with other schools across the country.

Priorities for this year include:

* Pupil outcomes: Improving attainment in writing and maths and further improving outcomes for children receiving pupil premium and who have English as an additional language.

* Leadership and management: Continuing to develop the role of subject and year group leaders and using the Equalities Award and Artsmark framework to further develop provision.

* Teaching, learning and assessment: Reviewing how feedback is given to children, further developing effectiveness of differentiation and developing more outstanding teaching.

* Behaviour, safety and wellbeing: Further reducing low-level disruption, developing the role of pupils in preventing bullying behaviour and improve school procedures for dealing with bullying incidents. Re-designing the school council so pupil voice has greater impact.

More information about the work of the governing body can be found here.

Nicky Odgers, Chair of 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.

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.