Garland Junior School

Annual Governance Statement, October 2023

Governor perspective on 2022-2023

As this new school year starts it’s a good time to reflect on the previous year.

The school has faced a lot of challenges over recent years through the covid lockdowns and absences caused by self-isolation and long-term sickness absence and then the work needed to get children settled back into school and caught up with where they would otherwise have been. 2022-23 has been possibly the first year when things have seemed more normal, working with Mrs Blands, having trips away and meeting in person.

Challenges have remained again through long term absence and the governors are pleased with the dedication and flexibility that all members of staff have shown with the Head teaching for a long period of the year in year 5 to ensure consistency.  

As a governing board, we have really appreciated that whilst admirable, this is a challenge that is made worse by being a fairly small school. This is one of the reasons why we started exploring the idea of a federation between Garland and Mrs Bland’s. Not only does this enable greater flexibility of resource across the two schools, allowing shortages in one area to be better addressed but it also enables a better alignment of the policies, ethos and curriculum of the two schools, leading to a better outcome for the children. We are delighted that this proposal was so overwhelmingly supported when we consulted on it and that the new federation will come into being on the 18^th October.  The new board will need to work closely with the school leadership of both schools to make this transition effective.

As the governors form part of the leadership of the school, we work together with the leadership team to strategize, plan, monitor and support every aspect of the school's work. This happens through regular meetings of the governing board, liaison with the Headteacher and other leaders, and governor visits during the school day.  Full details of attendance at governing board meetings are given on the 'meet the governors' page.

Effectiveness and Impact

An important part of being a governor is the continual assessment of how effective the board is and what impact it is having on the school's performance. We have undertaken detailed reviews of the board and use this feedback to change things where needed.

Over the last school year, we have reviewed our skills and structure to ensure we have the correct capability to govern successfully in the future. We have recruited several new governors over the year. New governors receive induction training through West Berks. This is vital as the governing board membership continues to evolve with new governors joining us as old hands move on.

All governors are expected to attend regular training relevant to their specific role and to attend at least two of our termly governor open days to see the school in action and understand how the school works in practice

The Finance, Personnel and Resources committee meets separately to overview the financial picture in detail. In addition, we have three committees that meet as required, covering Pay, Complaints, Grievances and Appeals and Headteachers Performance. Minutes from our Full Governing Board meetings and Finance meetings are available on request from the school office.

Garland maintains a plan of action to ensure delivery of the vision which is shared with the governors on a regular basis. It is our responsibility to question the school on its priorities, targets and plans and to set objectives for the Headteacher to ensure that these are delivered. At each meeting of the governors, progress against the plan is discussed, including the impact of actions and how any shortfalls in progress will be addressed.

Governors have also continued to be  involved in the project to convert the former caretaker's bungalow into a dedicated space suitable for small group working and other interventions, together with providing a better space for the breakfast and after school club, Fun Zone. We are delighted to see this now open and the initial feedback is fantastic, providing a calm space for those who most need it as well as dedicated space for some lessons such as music.

Governors closely monitor safeguarding to ensure the school is a safe environment for all. We have an experienced  dedicated governor specialising in this important area who provides us with regular up-dates and completes an annual safeguarding audit to ensure that the school remains a safe environment for the children.

We also take a keen interest in provision for Service children and Pupil Premium children and keep a close eye on how the Pupil Premium and Sports Premium budgets are spent. Over the year, governors have challenged firmly on these areas and will continue to closely monitor the outcomes that such spend delivers.

Governor Recruitment

We are currently recruiting governors to ensure we can cover all areas as proficiently as possible. As mentioned above, an active training programme is in place which will further enhance our individual skills and the effectiveness of the governing board as a whole. As well as being beneficial for the school, governors also benefit by gaining skills, experience and friendships they would not otherwise have had

In conclusion, the governors are delighted to report that the school is continuing to build on the excellent foundations already laid, and we look forward to many future successes in the years to come.

If you, or anyone you know, is interested in becoming a school governor, or have any questions about us, then please contact us via the school office.

Jason Chamberlin, Chair of Governors