Barlby Bridge Community Primary School

Annual Governance Statement

ANNUAL GOVERNANCE STATEMENT FOR THE GOVERNING BODY OF BARLBY BRIDGE C.P. SCHOOL

JULY 2020

In accordance with the Government’s requirement for all governing bodies, the three core strategic functions of Barlby Bridge CP School are:

  1. Ensuring Clarity of Vision, Ethos and Strategic Direction
  2. Holding the Headteacher to account for the educational performance of the school and it’s pupils
  3. Overseeing the financial performance of the school and making sure it’s money is well spent.

The governing body of Barlby Bridge CP School is made up of 11 Governors of whom 2 shall be parent Governors, 6 co-opted, 1 Local Authority, 1 staff governor and the Headteacher.

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 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 Standard and Pupils, Performance Management and Personnel, Finance and Buildings.

Unfortunately, two long standing governors have passed away and there is one other vacancy to be filled in September 2020.

New building work was completed at the start of the school year to enhance classroom provision and provide a secure entrance to the school. The office area was altered as a result and decoration concluded.

The governing body have a clear overview of the schools’ work on raising outcomes for all pupils with a focus on the following:-

  • To oversee the introduction of a rigorous, ambitious and enriched curriculum, coherently planned and sequenced.
  • to promote staff and pupil health and well-being, working towards achieving the Health Schools Award
  • To oversee a rigorous and sequential approach to reading and mathematics throughout the school so as to develop pupil confidence, fluency and enjoyment

During the first term the governing body began a programme of regular meetings and visits to the school to monitor specific areas as listed above. The introduction of parent reading sessions was launched and proved to be popular. Health and well-being were promoted and all pupils were encouraged to be more active, especially at lunch times.

In the new year the office administrator Mrs J. Kearns retired after many years of valuable service and was replaced by Mrs K Dixon. Mrs Hughes and Mrs Hockley both left on maternity leave and Mr Dyer was appointed Acting Headteacher with Miss J Ellis as his deputy.

School life changed completely in March 2020 with the onset of Covid-19. The premises were closed to all buy a few children of key workers and the governing body had to adapt to the crises situation. Mr Dyer produced comprehensive reopening plan for Barlby Bridge School which was used by the education authority as a template for all schools within North Yorkshire. Early Years, Years 1, 5 and 6 safely returned to school when directed by the Government. Throughout the crisis the governing body continued to support the school, the Chair of Governors making frequent visits in a safe manner to ensure that all eventualities were covered. The full governing body met twice during this crisis using the Zoom platform and were able to function in their oversight role.

In the light of this unique crises with the school being unable to function properly and may pupils missing almost half of their school year, the governing body has agreed to support the Head and staff in forwarding the school development plan for 2019-2020 into the next academic year, 2020/21. Let us hope that we can continue to learn, grown and achieve together next year!

Stephen Walker B. Phil, B.A. PGCE

Chair of Governors

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