Our Governors

At Walmley Infant School our vision is to foster a harmonious and productive partnership between the School Governing Body, teachers, and staff.

We believe that by working hand in hand, we can create an environment that nurtures educational excellence, promotes professional growth, and maximises the potential of every student.

Together, we strive to build a school community where collaboration and empowerment are at the core of our success.

Together with the Head Teacher, the GB has overall responsibility for the running of the school. We ensure high standards of achievement for all children and young people in the school by:

• Ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction;
• Holding the Head Teacher to account for the educational performance of the school, its pupils, and the performance management of staff; and
• Overseeing the financial performance of the school and making sure its money is well spent.

The main responsibilities and duties of a Governor include:

• Promoting high standards of educational achievement
• Setting appropriate targets for pupil achievement
• Taking general responsibility for the conduct and strategic direction of the school
• Managing the school’s budget
• Making sure that the curriculum is balanced and in line with the National Curriculum, and reporting on National Curriculum assessments and examination results
• Determining the staff complement and pay policy for the school
• Participating in the appointment of the Head and Deputy Head teacher and other staff and regulating staff conduct and discipline
• Drawing up an action plan after an inspection

At Walmley Infant School, we currently have the Full Governing Body, consisting of all Governors, (Governors are a combination of parents / carers, staff, partnership governors, co-opted governors, and local authority (LA)).

Governors overall hold responsbility for the following areas:

1. Resources

Responsible for the budget and financial management of the school and for maintaining the fabric of the building. Also, this focuses on the school’s assets and grounds.

2. Standards and Curriculum (including wellbeing)

Ensures that current best practice in terms of the National Curriculum coverage and high-teaching is in place; review and evaluate standards across the school as well as review our Curriculum Offer to ensure pupils have the best provision possible.

The composition of governing bodies depends on the number and age range of pupils at the school and is based on DFEE recommendations. The variety of Governor roles is there to involve a cross-section of the local community into the school’s activities. The different categories of Governor are as follows:

1. Parent Governors

These Governors are elected by parents of pupils on the school roll and must be parents of pupils attending the school at the point of election.

2. LEA Appointed Governors

Representatives of the major political parties.

3. Staff Governors

Staff Governors are teaching or non-teaching employees at the school.

4. Co-Opted Governors

Co-Opted Governors are people from the local community who wish to work with the school. They are elected by the Governing Body.

5. Partnership Governors

Partnership Governors are non-parents/carers of our school, with skills needed to contribute to the effective governance and success. This could be someone in the local community who wishes to support our school. They can be nominated by parents / carers of the school, and/or the Governing Body.

4 years

Parent and Partnership Governors serve four years term of office and under usual circumstances, can expect to spend around ten days a year on governance duties.  This includes:

• The Governing body meets up to twice a term, (usually on Tuesdays starting 6pm). These meetings take on average about 1.5-2 hours;
• Preparing for meetings, for example by reading documents and drawing up questions; and
• visiting the school from time to time during the school day and writing up observations.

You will be expected to, undergo a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, sign a governors’ Code of Conduct and have:

• a strong commitment to the role and improving outcomes for children;
• the inquisitiveness to question and analyse;
• the willingness to learn;
• good inter-personal skills;
• appropriate levels of literacy in English (unless a GB is prepared to make special arrangements); and
• sufficient numeracy skills to understand basic data.

Yes

Governors are encouraged to undertake relevant training. There is a budget to cover costs. Most training is conducted locally.