Birstwith CE Primary School

Our Governing Body consists of eight individuals representing different parts of our school and wider community.

There are:

• 2 Parent Governors
• 1 Local Authority Governor
• 2 Foundation Governors, appointed by the West Yorkshire and the Dales Diocesan Board of Education
• 1 Co-opted Governor, appointed for their specific skills
• 2 Staff Governors one of whom is the Headteacher

The Governing Body agrees policies and has a shared ownership for the development and strategic direction of the school. It acts as a ‘critical friend’ by asking searching questions whilst at all times respecting the position of the Headteacher as professional leader of the school.

As a full governing board we meet six times a year, endeavoring always to ensure our children receive the best education possible, in a safe and supportive environment.

The minutes of Governing Body meetings are available by request to the school office.

Business Interests of Governors

There are no interests declared by the current Governing Body.

Governors are elected to serve four years and meet six times a year.

The main duty of the governing body is to maintain and improve our school's standards of education; our work can be divided into these key areas:

- setting the school's vision and strategic aims, agreeing plans and policies and making creative use of resources
- monitoring and evaluating performance
- acting as a critical friend to support and challenge in the management of the school
- ensuring that the school is accountable to the children and parents it serves, to its local community, to those who fund and maintain it, as well as to the staff it employs.

As a Governing Body we:

• give support, advice and help to the school
• take a real pride in the school and the achievements of its pupils and staff
• work on and agree general school policies and the school's own Development Plan
• work in partnership with the staff and education advisors for the benefit of the school
• visit the school in order to gain a clear understanding of the working of the school
• accept and act on collective decisions of the governing body
• participate in school activities in particular those which promote the school
• participate in training sessions
• ensure financial probity
• ensure the premises are well managed