GOVERNING BODY
WHAT DOES THE GOVERNING BODY DO?
Kingsmeadow’s governors are fully committed to the school’s drive for excellence and to its inclusive ethos so that all students have the opportunity to maximise their individual potential, whether they choose an academic or a vocational route. We aim to ensure that all students are well prepared for the world of work.
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The main roles of the Governing Body are:
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To plan ahead to make sure the school has the right strategies and resources to get the best outcomes for the students; this includes overseeing the delivery of the curriculum.
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To monitor and evaluate the school’s effectiveness.
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To oversee the school’s budget so that it is used in the best way; the governing body is responsible for the proper and efficient management of the school’s funds and cannot plan for a deficit.
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To make sure that young people and adults are safe at school.
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To act as a ‘critical friend’ to the Head Teacher, and to hold him accountable for the management of the school. He reports to the governing body on the school’s performance and how plans are going.
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The Head Teacher is responsible for the day to day management of the school. The local authority, Gateshead Council, provides support and guidance to the school, and delivers government funding to the school (the school budget).
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Governors are involved in:
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The school’s strategic plans and its improvement plan
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School policies, for example for curriculum, behaviour, uniform, sport, homework
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How the school budget will be spent
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Teaching and learning and how the school will reach performance targets
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Staff matters including pay and appointment and dismissal
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Student behaviour
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Complaints from pupils, staff and parents
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The school buildings, including health and safety, repair and maintenance of school buildings and the use of school premises outside school hours
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The whole governing body meets once each term; it has a number of committees, panels and groups to discuss and progress matters in more detail (see below). If you would like to contact the governors, please do so through the Headteacher or if you are a parent or carer you can contact one of the parent governors.
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Governor Committees, Panels and Groups
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Achievement and Environment Committee
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School improvement
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Performance Data
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Teaching and Learning
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Attendance
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Behaviour
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SEND
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Resources Committee
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Finance
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Staffing
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Safeguarding
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Health and Safety
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GDPR
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Admissions
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Head Teacher’s Appraisal Panel
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The chair, vice-chair and one other governor meet each autumn term to assess the head teacher’s performance and to set him new targets for the year.
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Behaviour and Exclusion Panels
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Governors sit on behaviour panels to help students whose poor attitudes to learning are impeding their progress.
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Governors form panels to consider recommendations from the head teacher that a pupil be excluded from the school.
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School governors are unpaid volunteers (except governors who are school staff) and come from all walks of life. Some are appointed by the local authority, some have been asked to represent the local community, some are elected parent governors, and some are members of the school staff. The Headteacher is a governor.
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If you would like to contact the governors, please do so through the Headteacher or if you are a parent or carer you can contact one of the parent governors.
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