Introduction to the Governing Body

The Governors at Harestock School are committed to school improvement. We work closely, and in partnership, with the Head teacher and senior leadership team to ensure that every child in the school has the best possible education and skills for life.

We meet once every half term as a Full Board and also meet in committees. The main committees are currently: Finance and Resources, Staffing, and Learning & Standards. Once minutes have been approved by the Full Board or relevant Subcommittee at their  next meeting, they are available for you to read by asking at the school office. Updates on the activities of the Governing Body are also available in Governors blog.

This “Governors” page is designed to:

1. keep you up to date and provide an overview of our current work;
2. let you know who we are , how we are structured and organise our work in order to carry out our role;
3. summarise the role of the Governing Body;
4. provide the required statutory information about the Governing Body; and
5. provide you with information about applying to become a Governor.

If you have any questions, are interested in becoming a governor, or have skills which you would be willing to offer to the Governing Body, we would be delighted to hear from you. You can leave a note at the school office or email us: chairofgovernors@harestock.co.uk

There is more about the role of the Governing Body, and Governors, further on in this web page.

Statutory Governor information is set out at the end of this webpage.

Keeping you up to date

We aim to send out a Governors’ newsletter at least once a year to provide an update as to the activities of the governing body and its plans for the year. In 2015 we are also starting a Governors’ blog, on this website, to provide quick updates about the Governing Body and its work. We have also prepared summary reports in relation to our recent work and these can be viewed by clicking here.

We are also looking for additional ways to make sure that we keep you up to date with our work and seek your input – if you have ideas please contact us using chairofgovernors@harestock.co.uk.

Recent work of the Governing Body

The Governing Body has a full programme strategic development work, meetings (Full Governing Body and Subcommittees), formal visits to the school and training. In addition to being captured in our minutes, updates about our recent work can be found in the “blog” section of this web page.  Our plan of work and schedule of meetings for the academic year can be viewed below.

Current composition of the Governing Body

Our governors, and their duration of service and areas of responsibility, are set out in the table under the “statutory information” section below. If you would like to know more about the background and experience of some of our governors, please click the following link: Governor biographies

Thinking about becoming a Governor?

A copy of our current advertisement is below so if you are interested and either possess the skills and experience we need, or are willing and able to develop those skills (or perhaps you know someone who does), and would like to make a difference to the development of our children, then please click here for more information or contact us via chairofgovernors@harestock.co.uk for more information.

Governors wanted Harestock Primary School currently has a vacancy for a Parent Governor. We are particularly looking for governors with any of the following skills or experience (in priority order): ▪          Facilities management ▪          Financial planning / management ▪          Marketing ▪          Knowledge of primary curriculum The following are also important to the role: you must be committed to developing and safeguarding our children you must not be disqualified from being a governor want to help us achieve our Mission Aims and Vision have the time to commit to becoming a Governor knowledge of the school curriculum is helpful, but taking an interest and willingness to undergo training is more important; governors may live locally or outside of the Harestock catchment area; able to work in a team.

The role of the Governing Body

The Governing Body is responsible for directing the conduct of the school. Its obligations are set out in various Acts of Parliament, Regulations and Guidance and, in particular, the Education Act 2002 provides that:

“The governing body shall conduct the school with a view to promoting high standards of educational achievement at the school.”

and that the core functions of the Governing Body are:

• Ensuring that the vision, ethos and strategic direction of the school are clearly defined
• Ensuring the HT performs his/her responsibilities for the educational performance of the school
• Ensuring the sound, proper and effective use of the school’s financial resources.

In carrying out its duties, the Governing Body must:

• act with integrity, objectivity and honesty
• act in the best interests of the school
• be open about, and prepared to explain, about the decisions we make and the actions we take

More information about being a governor, including the eligibility requirements, is available from http://www3.hants.gov.uk/education/governors/governors-govrecruit.htm.

How we are organised at Harestock Primary School

A Governing Body is required to be a size appropriate for, and have the skills and experience necessary to enable the Governing Body to carry out its functions. As a Governing Body, the Harestock Governing Body is organised like this:

Full Governing Body

Some of the work of the Full Governing Body is delegated to the following Subcommittees:

• Learning & Standards
• Finance & Resources
• Staffing
• Pay Review Committee
• HT Performance Review Panel
• Complaints Panels (constituted as and when required)

The terms of reference for each sub-committee can be viewed by clicking the links below:

Finance and Resource Commitee terms of reference May 2017

Staffing Commitee terms of reference Spr 2017

Pay Committee terms of reference Aut 2014

L&S terms of reference amended Jan 2017

Contacting us

We would very much like to hear from you about general improvements and policy matters. You can contact us by email (chairofgovernors@harestock.co.uk), by leaving a message with the school office, putting a note in your child’s book bag or catch a parent governor or Chair of Governors in the playground in the morning.

 

STATUTORY INFORMATION ABOUT THE COMPOSTION AND ATTENDANCE PERCENTAGES OF THE GOVERNING BODY

Governor Information for Academic year 2016/2017 (as at September 2016)

Governing Body Register of Interests (including Pecuniary) as at September 2016

The Governing Board for 2015/2016 was as follows: