Annual Governance Statement for the Governing Board of Rollesby Primary School and Nursery
September 2016
In accordance with the Government’s requirement for all governing bodies, the 3 core strategic functions of Rollesby Primary School and Nursery Governing Board are:
1.  Ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction;
2.  Holding the headteacher to account for the educational performance of the school and its pupils;
3.  Overseeing the financial performance of the school and making sure its money is well spent.
Governance arrangements / The governing board of Rollesby Primary School and Nursery is made up of 2 staff governors (including the Headteacher), 2 elected Parent governors, 1 Local Authority governor, 4 Co-opted governors (there are two vacancies at present) and 2 Partnership governors. Co-opted governors are appointed by the governing board and are people who, in the opinion of the governing board, have the skills required to contribute to the effective governance and success of the school: on our governing board one of the co-opted governors is a parent and one is a member of the local community.
The full Governing Board meets twice each term, and we also have two committees to consider different aspects of the school in detail. At Rollesby Primary School and Nursery we have a Resources Committee, which focuses on finance, premises and some personnel matters; and a Curriculum and Effectiveness Committee. We also have committees that meet if required to consider pupil discipline and staffing matters.
Attendance record of governors / Governors have excellent attendance at meetings and we have never cancelled a full Governing Board meeting because it was not “quorate” (the number of governors needed to ensure that legal decisions can be made). Full attendance details are given in the appendix.
The work that we have done on our committees and in the governing body / The governing board has again had a particularly busy year, focusing primarily on school improvement. A key feature of discussions has been looking strategically at the future development of the school. The changing educational landscape has meant that schools have had to look at positive ways to work together, together with looking more widely at the academisation agenda. To this end, The governing board of Rollesby Primary School and Nursery have set in place a working party to actively explore the possibility of working with other good local Primary Schools. Our aim is ensure the continuation of the success of our local village school, retaining its ethos and continuing to provide a high quality education to all our children.
The Curriculum and Effectiveness Committee has spent time looking at how the new curriculum is being embedded and governors also discuss key data giving the results of pupil achievement and progress, so that we can be sure that the school is on track to fulfil its ambitious targets for all pupils. We are also concerned about our “vulnerable groups” of children and focus on how the Pupil Premium Grant is being spent by the school and what impact this has on their outcomes. One governor (Mike O’Reilly) is taking the lead on Pupil Premium.
The Resources Committee looks at the maintenance and development of the school premises, and makes decisions about how the school should use the budget. Governors are also particularly concerned about safeguarding and we have a Nominated Governor for Safeguarding (Tina Brown) who gives regular reports to the governors about any safeguarding matters. Early in the summer term, the Resources Committee approved the 2016/17 budget plan for the school: we are pleased to report that the school is in a healthy position financially, with the introduction of an additional class and an additional member of the teaching staff from September 2016. Other key developments include the improved playground facilities, which the children are enjoying.
We are particularly pleased with the continued progress of our Nursery this year, and one of our governors (Emma Tacon) takes a particular interest in our Early Years’ provision.
One of the key tools the governors use to move the school forward is the School Improvement and Development Plan. At the heart of all of our planning is the aim to become an Outstanding School and the School Improvement and Development Plan reflects this. In addition, we have introduced additional ipads for the children to stimulate their learning.
One of the other roles for the governors is reviewing and agreeing school policies, and this year we have considered a number of key policies, including Anti Bullying, Equalities, Gifted and Talented, and Safeguarding. Minutes of governing board and committee meetings are public documents: please ask at the school office if you would like to see any of the minutes of our meetings.
Future plans for the governors / The governing board is looking forward to developing areas further over the coming year as outlined in our School Improvement and Development Plan. Discussions will also continue around the future direction of the school, especially as to how we can work collaboratively with others. However, first and foremost, our commitment is to ensure outstanding teaching and other provision in the school
How you can contact the governing body / We always welcome suggestions, feedback and ideas from parents – please contact the Chair of Governors, who is available via the school office.

Rollesby Primary School and Nursery Governing Body

Governor / Category / Term of office expiry date
Tina Brown (Chair) / Partnership Governor / 016/03/2018
Annette Cooper / Staff Governor / 31/08/2018
Shaun Cramer
Juliette Elwick / Parent Governor
Co-opted Governor / 19/05/2019
13/05/18
Brian Feltham-Daniels / Co-opted Governor / 16/03/2018
Shaun Flaxman / Parent Governor / 16/03/2018
Louise Hinton (Headteacher) / Staff Governor / Ex officio
Geoff Hudson / LA Governor / 07/12/2016
Mike O’Reilly / Co-Opted Governor / 16/03/2018
Mark Siddell / Partnership Governor / 16/03/2018
Emma Tacon / Co-opted Governor / 16/03/2018