Committee Structure

Finance Committee

CHAIR: Anne Yuill

Terms of Reference:

The Finance Committee is a sub group of the main Governing Body, and its job is to keep all Governors fully updated with all financial matters.
In conjunction with the Headteacher to draft the first formal budget plan for the financial year, for approval by the full Governing body.
To establish and maintain an up to date 3 year financial plan with all Governors.
To monitor income and expenditure, including virement decisions, significant anomalies from the anticipated position and report termly to the Governing Body.
To ensure the school operates within the financial regulations of the County Council and requirements of the DfE School Financial Value Standard
To monitor expenditure of all voluntary funds kept on behalf of the Governing Body.
To annually review charges, remissions policies and expenses policies.
To make decisions in respect of service level agreements.
To make decisions on expenditure following recommendations from other committees.
To prepare financial statements for inclusion in any reports to parents.
To ensure as far as is practical that any Health and Safety (H & S) issues are appropriately funded in accordance with priorities.
To ensure that Pay Review Committee and Pay Appeal Committee decisions are appropriately funded.

Meetings: Termly

Disqualifications: when there may be a conflict of interest; a fair hearing is required; or a pecuniary interest. Associate members may not vote.

First (Pay Review) Committee

CHAIR: James Devlin

Terms of Reference:

To act in accordance with the Whole School Pay Policy adopted by the Governing Body to include matters relating to: teaching and learning responsibility payments, SEN(Special Educational Needs) allowances, recruitment and retention payments.
To report to the Finance Committee on Pay Review-related expenditure.
To make any decision under the personnel procedures adopted by the Governing Body, e.g. disciplinary, grievance, ill health etc. where the Headteacher is the subject of the action.
To make any decision relating to a member of staff (other than the Headteacher) under the Personnel procedures adopted by the Governing Body (unless delegated to the Headteacher).
Reducing the staffing.

Meetings: as and when necessary.

Appeals Committee

CHAIR: Bridget Watt

Terms of Reference:

To consider any appeal against a decision to dismiss a member of staff made by the First Committee (or Headteacher if delegated).
To consider any appeal against a decision under the personnel procedures adopted by the Governing Body. (eg. disciplinary, pay review etc.).
To consider any appeal against selection for redundancy.

Meetings: as and when required. Must have no fewer members than the Hearing.

Disqualifications: Headteacher. Any governor who was involved in the hearing. Spouse/partner.

Headteacher’s Performance Review Committee

CHAIR: Bridget Watt

Terms of Reference:

To arrange to meet with the External Adviser (EA) or Education Development Partner (EDP) to discuss the Headteacher’s performance targets.
To decide with support from the EA or EDP whether the targets have been met and to set new targets annually.
To monitor throughout the year the performance of the Headteacher against the targets.
To make recommendations to the appropriate committee in respect of awards for the successful meeting of set targets.

Meetings: Autumn term, plus monitoring meetings.

Disqualifications: the Headteacher and staff.

All remaining functions to be dealt with by the Full Governing Body

CHAIR: Bridget Watt

Terms of Reference:

Ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction
Holding the Head teacher to account for the educational performance of the school and its pupils,and the performance management of staff
Overseeing the financial performance of the school and making its money is well spent
Ensuring that the school meets health and safety requirements and review the schools H&S policy regularly.
Ensuring that PE is taught as part of the school curriculum and monitoring the quality and adequacy of provision.
Promoting an ethos that encourages participation in competitive sport both within the school and between schools.
Monitoring nutritional standards within the school to include school meals, snack provision and food available during wrap-around provision.
Ensure that the school’s policy on SEN is consistent with the code of practice and Equalities Act and that arrangements are made to ensure the policy is monitored and reviewed regularly. The policy is known to parents and carers.
Ensure the effective integration of children with SEN.
Monitor pupils’ attitudes, values and how other personal qualities are developed within the school through the provision of RE and PHSCE and that parents are told of their right to withdraw their child.
Consider the provision of relationships and sex education and drugs education.
Ensure the school is fulfilling its responsibilities regarding child protection and the requirements of “Working Together to Safeguard Children”.
Ensure that buildings and the learning environment are maintained and fit for purpose.
Oversee the use of the premises by outside users.
Establish and keep under review an asset management /building development plan.
Establish and keep under review an Accessibility Plan.
Conduct the school with a view to promoting high standards of education achievement (SSFA 1998).
Set targets for achievement at KS1 and KS2. Monitor the school’s performance against these targets.
Monitor the achievement of disadvantaged groups and the impact of policies on race, SEN Looked After Children and Disability on pupils, parents and communities.
Contribute to the development and monitoring of the School Improvement Plan and the SEF.
Ensure that every child receives the full statutory curriculum that the school must provide.
Ensure that a report on each pupil’s educational achievements is forwarded to their parents/guardians annually.
Set attendance targets and monitor the school’s performance against these targets.
Ensure the school has a curriculum policy that meets pupils’ needs.
Ensure the school has policies on all aspects of discrimination.
In general terms, monitor teaching and learning and the progress of pupils.
Monitor the provision of extra-curricular activities including overnight stays provided to encourage recreation and social development.
Ensure the quality of education, teaching and learning
Plan to raise standards of achievement and monitor the school’s performance.
To continue to monitor out-of-hours provision (wrap-around provision, study support, extended schools).
Ensure the school works well with its community, parents and other schools.
Ensure the school works effectively with other agencies to support vulnerable children and their families.
Ensure the school has an effective behaviour and anti-bullying policy. Monitor the implementation of this policy and its impact.
Aims and values for the school are agreed and positive ethos for the school is promoted. Policy decisions are consistent with the agreed aims, values and ethos.
Ensure that the school has an effective school council. The Governing Body takes account of the school council in determining the way in which the school is conducted.
The school promotes inclusive policies that allow for the achievement of all pupils.
Ensure that the adequate provision is made for transition between primary and secondary education
Act as Pupil Discipline Committee for Permanent/Fixed Term exclusions.
Complaints.

Delegation to the Headteacher

School Staffing (England) Regulations 2009

Delegate to the Headteacher as above for:

Permanent support staff posts
Temporary staff
All other posts with the involvement of one or more Governor(s).
Dismissals: Governing Body delegates to the First Committee for the dismissal of all staff.

Virement Limits

Limit set for Headteacher without prior written approval of Chair or Governing Body £1,000
Limit set for Headteacher with approval from Chair of Governors £1,000 to 5,000
Prior Governing Body approval to be sought outside of this limit.

Expenditure Limits

Any items of expenditure up to £5,000
Above this limit if item was previously notified to the Governing Body.
Prior Governing Body approval to be sought outside of this limit.