Annual Governance Statement

                                                                                 July 2019

In accordance with the Government’s requirement for all governing bodies, the three core strategic functions of Barlby Bridge C. P. School Governing Body are:

1. ENSURING CLARITY OF VISION, ETHOS AND STRATEGIC DIRECTION
2. HOLDING THE HEADTEACHER TO ACCOUNT FOR THE EDUCATIONAL PERFORMANCE OF THE SCHOOL AND ITS PUPILS
3. OVERSEEING THE FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE OF THE SCHOOL AND MAKING SURE ITS MONEY IS WELL SPENT.

The Governing Body of Barlby Bridge C.P. School is now made up of 11 governors of whom 2 shall be parent governors, 6 co-opted, 1 local authority governor, 1 staff governor and the head teacher.

To effectively contribute to the governance and success of the school the Governing Body employs a range of attributes in finance, education, business  and management helping to provide a strategic view for improvement to ensure accountability and, by a planned programme of monitoring visits act as a critical friend so that good quality education is provided by Barlby Bridge C.P. School. The Governing Body has a programme of meetings throughout the school year, and a committee structure that focuses on specific areas of governance including Standards and Pupils, Performance Management and Personnel, Finance and Buildings.

• In September we have three vacancies for Co-opted Governors. Governors attendance at meetings can be viewed on the website information for the academic year 2018-19.

Following an Ofsted visit in November 2018 I am pleased to report that our school continues to be rated good and that the inspector confirmed that governance is effective. The school was praised for its positive ethos based on teamwork for staff, leaders and pupils.  Well done to all concerned for making the visit so successful!

The Governors at Barlby Bridge have had a clear overview of the schools’ work on raising outcomes for pupils this year.  Key improvement priorities have been overseen by Governors throughout the year embracing teaching and learning, leadership, personal development, behaviour and health and well-being and outcomes for pupils. In addition, the Governors acknowledge the immense amount of activity that has taken place in school to provide a broad, balanced , unique curriculum incorporating a collaborative approach for all pupils at Barlby Bridge. As a result of this work, the end of year results for Key Stage 2 results have been at or above the national rate over a sustained three year period. Outcomes in Key Stage One have risen this year following school development focus work and are broadly in line with national results. The percentage of pupils attaining the GLD is also broadly in line with the national rate.

The work of leaders in ensuring robust monitoring and evaluation procedures was also recognised through the Basic Skills Quality Mark visit in February 19. The school’s strong improvement plans and systems for assessing and tracking pupils’ progress were identified as being reliable and rigorous. All staff use data analysis to target pupils so that each child has the opportunity to achieve their full potential. The school is to be commended for a very positive review.

Barlby Bridge continues to offer EYFS lead support through cluster focused work and  Mrs Aston  (EYFS ) and Ms Hosford (KS2)  continue to act as moderators for NYCC.  All staff and pupils are to be congratulated for the effort and progress they have made, especially with attendance which has risen to above national this year with an overall rate of 96.23%. The rate of persistent absenteeism has reduced significantly from 10.6% in 2017-18 to to 3.8% in 2018-19.

School staff continue to share good practise with colleagues in their cluster group through regular meetings and the school council continues under the guidance of Ms Hosford. Since the introduction of wraparound care in September 2017, the provision has continued to grow in popularity and is now highly valued by parents and carers. This year, the school became a National School Breakfast Programme School, further supporting the breakfast club provision and allowing the school to offer breakfast to all pupils, ensuring no child is too hungry for learning.

Clubs and extracurricular activities continue to prosper, and the Governors thank FoBBS for all the fundraising they do. The school has worked hard this year to develop sporting provision and through membership in the Barlby schools cluster there has been increased participation in inter competitive events: over 60 children have had the opportunity to represent the school through sporting competitions. Participation in sports provision and competitive events has involved all groups of pupils including those with Special Educational Needs and children who may have been reluctant previously to engage in sport. Mr Wood continues to offer coaching support to staff to develop their knowledge and skills in the delivery of Physical Education lessons. The successful work of the school in relation to sports provision was recognised when the Gold School Games Award was achieved in July 2019. The staff and pupils are extremely proud of this achievement and wish to build upon this award next year through further enhancing extra curricula club provision. In addition, plans are in place to complete actions towards a Healthy Schools Award and as part of this, the school will develop its own gardening and growing area, further enhancing school meals through the involvement of pupil grown produce in meals. The school plans to also offer a variety of active and physical sporting clubs to pupils including cross county, yoga and aerobics/ dance club.

Further information about the work of the governing body at Barlby Bridge is found within the meeting minutes. To request a paper copy of the minutes, please contact a member of school office staff.

In September 2018 Claire returned working a four-day week as Head Teacher and Gavin filled that role one day a week when Claire is off site. This working arrangement was approved by the full governing body and has been very successful.

It is with sadness that I report the death of Brian Marshall and Jeff Coultish who were active governors at Barlby Bridge and pay tribute to all the work that they did for the school over many years.

Finally, our school vision was altered from “We Care“  to include  “ Learning, Growing, Achieving Together “…..what better way to conclude this report!

Information about the schools’ governing body is available on the school website.

Stephen Walker B.Phil., B.A., P.G.C.E.     Chair of Governors