Education CommitteeWritten evidence submitted by Lemington Riverside Primary School

1. The purpose, roles and responsibilities of school governing bodies, within the wider context of school governance and leadership

We regard our role to be that of a “critical friend”. In addition we take our statutory responsibilities eg for the safeguarding of children, very seriously. We set the budget, decide on the number of staff, decide on the level of pay for teachers, help to decide the priorities of the school, ensure the national curriculum is taught, ensure targets are set for pupil achievement, compare the performance of our school to similar schools, receive information about the quality of teaching, have a published strategy for parental complaints, ensure health and safety issues are addressed, set the times for school sessions, help develop school policies and procedure, ask challenging questions, consider the repair and maintenance of school buildings and appoint committees of governors to look at specific issues such as finance, staffing curriculum and standards.

These roles are listed in our Governing Body Handbook which is reviewed annually and distributed to all governors.

2. The implications of recent policy developments for governing bodies and their roles

No response.

3. Recruiting and developing governors, including the quality of current training provision and any challenges facing recruitment

We have problems in recruiting parent governors because of family commitments, time and confidence and the need to work outside the home. The quality of training provided by the local authority is very good both for new governors and to keep more established governors up to date.

4. The structure and membership of governing bodies, including the balance between representation and skills

We aim to have a wide and balanced range of skills. We have recently lost our very well qualified Chair of Finance because of relocation resulting from a change of career and he will be difficult to replace. We regularly assess the skills base of the governors and try to maintain the balance as described.

5. The effectiveness and accountability of governing bodies

We pride ourselves on being both effective and accountable. We were among the first schools in the city to achieve FMSiS and have continued to use the principles of FMSiS since its demise. We have recently made our annual SFVS submission (two months ahead of schedule). We achieved Governor Mark in 2011, again we were among a small cohort of schools and only the second school in the city to achieve this. Our most recent Ofsted inspection (November 2011) rated the governing body as “outstanding”. We hold an annual self evaluation session and are always looking at ways to improve what we do.

6. Whether new arrangements are required for the remuneration of governors

We have a Policy on Paying Governors’ Allowances for child care arrangements, telephone calls and postage (actual costs) and travel. This is reviewed every three years and is included in the Governing Body Handbook.

7. The relationship between governing bodies and other partners including local authorities, school leaders and unions

We have a very good relationship with the local authority which, through Governor Services, provides very accessible advice and support. We have an excellent relationship of mutual respect and support with school leaders and all staff. We have very little contact with unions but what we have had has been carried out on a professional basis.

8. Whether changes should be made to current models of governance

We have discussed the new School Governance Constitution Regulations 2012 and decided that at the moment we do not need to reconstitute our governing body but we have agreed that we will reconsider this should the need arise.

January 2013