How We Work
To manage the business of the Governing Body efficiently and to make best use of the many skills and expertise of our governors some of the work of the Governing Body is delegated to committees. This allows more time to discuss important issues at main meetings, whilst specialist issues can be discussed at greater length by smaller groups. The committees meet once or twice a term with the Headteacher, and the full Governing Body usually meets once each term.
Each committee reports fully to the whole Governing Body through its minutes.
Finance and Staffing Committee
The Finance and Staffing Committee examines, advises and monitors:
- compliance with the school’s budget plan,
- human resources management and support systems,
- compliance with policies relating to information technology and data protection considerations.
Premises and Health, Safety & Wellbeing Committee
The Premises and Health, Safety & Wellbeing Committee provides guidance to the Governing Body on the issues and priorities relating to the schools environment and grounds, and all aspects of the health and safety of our pupils, staff, volunteers and visitors to school – including the physical and pastoral well-being of everyone. It also has responsibility for the development of links with the wider community.
In particular, the Premises and Health, Safety & Wellbeing Committee deals with
- Health and Safety, specifically all matters relating to the maintenance and development of school premises and grounds, including inspections, risk assessments and monitoring.
- Safeguarding, ensuring that the Governing Body’s responsibilities in respect of all safeguarding procedures and practices are carried out correctly and closely monitored. This includes receiving regular reports from the Designated Safeguarding Officer, ensuring that all appropriate checks are undertaken, that all staff and volunteers receive appropriate training.
- Behaviour and attendance: specifically considering policy and practice relating to behaviour in school and to monitor any incidents of bullying. This includes both staff and pupils. The committee also has responsibility for monitoring pupil attendance.
- Community links: to oversee school engagement with parents, pupils, staff, local authority, local churches and other relevant community bodies. As part of this remit the Committee considers how to improve communication with stakeholders, monitors pupil involvement in the life of the school and ensures that prospective and new governors receive appropriate support and information.
Curriculum Committee
The Curriculum Committee for St. Joseph and St. Theresa’s Catholic Primary School is there to monitor curriculum provision, to monitor attainment and achievement of the children at the school, and to ensure every child fulfils their full potential. The committee is there both to support and to constructively challenge the Headteacher, staff and the Governing Body on all matters concerning the school curriculum and to ensure that it is broad, balanced, meets the religious expectations of a Catholic School and, above all, meets the needs of our pupils.
The Committee meets regularly at least once per term to:
- Review school improvement plans
- Track the impact of curriculum planning and policies on progress
- Discuss assessment data and compare outcomes to expectations
- Review policies pertinent to Curriculum
- Track attendance and challenge when necessary
- Make sure that the Catholic way of life is taught according to latest guidelines and includes relationship and health education
- Speak to leaders within the school and subject leads about plans, progress and impact
- Spend time monitoring teaching, learning and pupil outcomes
- Celebrate achievements
This committee also ensure the religious education focus and Spiritual Life of the pupils and staff are central to all the school does.
The committee will work in consultation with the Headteacher to provide guidance to the Governing Body of priorities and issues relating to the teaching of R.E., Section 48 inspections and the RE SEF. The committee has the following remits:
- Ensure the Catholic ethos of school is maintained and developed
- Ensure RE teaching is robust
- Review RE policy annually
- Review RE SEF at least annually, including budget, resources and INSET
- Review mission values and vision from a Catholic Life perspective
- Monitor and contribute (where appropriate) to school website, with particular reference to Catholic values.
Admissions
Ensures the Admissions Policy meets statutory and diocesan requirements; ranks applications received for Reception class from the Local Authority in accordance with the Admissions Policy; and organises the in-year admission process (as outlined in the admissions policy). This committee also organises the process for any parents that wish to appeal a decision made by this committee, this process is outlined in the Admissions Policy.