The Governing Board of our school plays a key role in:

· Setting the strategic plan for the school.

· Setting targets for raising standards of educational achievement.

· Monitoring progress towards meeting these targets.

· Finding the right balance between supporting and challenging the performance of the Headteacher and therefore the performance of his/her staff and the school as a whole.

· Deciding policy and future development plans.

· Upholding good governance and working towards the success of the school.

The role of the Governing Body/Trust Board is one of oversight and it is not involved in the day to day management of the school. The Headteacher role includes the educational performance of the school and operational responsibilities.

The Governing Body/Trust Board operates a code of conduct which sets an ethos of professionalism and high expectations of governors.

The Finance, Audit and Risk Committee have the delegated authority to make financial decisions on behalf of the academy; any other committees or working groups must make representation to the Finance, Audit and Risk Committee with regards to any decisions that might have financial impact upon the school.

The Full Governing Body/Trust Board meets 4 times per academic year (minimum of once per term). The Governing Body/Trust Board establishes the overall framework for the governance of the academy and determines membership, terms of reference and procedures of committees and other groups. It receives reports from its committees for ratification. It monitors the activities of the committees through the minutes of their meetings. The Board may, from time to time, establish working groups to perform specific tasks over a limited timescale.

There are 3 committees:

· Personnel (Pupils and Staff)

Chair of Personnel Cttee: Joanna Linton.

· Finance, Audit and Risk (including H&S/Environment)

Chair of Finance, Audit and Risk Cttee: Hannah Grosvenor

. Teaching and Learning (Standards and Curriculum)

Chair of Teaching and Learning Cttee: Elizabeth Monk

The terms of reference (ToR) for each governor/trustee committee set out the expectations for that committee. The ToR are reviewed annually as a minimum expectation but may be reviewed earlier at the request of the Chair or any other governor/trustee.

Each committee has a Chairperson (annual appointment) and a Minute-taker is agreed each meeting; the Finance, Audit and Risk Committee have a dedicated Minute-taker.

Minutes from each committee meeting are shared with all governors/trustees prior to each Full Governors/Trustees Meeting and each governor/trustee has the opportunity to question, challenge and request further information from committee members.