Issue No.5 March 2009 .png)
Governor News
School Website http://www.westernprimary.ik.org/home.ikml
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The Governors
Chair Mark Brown (Community governor)
Headteacher Lorraine Smith
Foundation governors Rev Peter Seal Helen Brown Sarah Duck Andrew Strevens
Associate governor Isabel Hughes (vice chair)
Parent governors Claire Boughton Mark Phillips Stella Popowicz Chris Sermon Jon Thompson Tim Woodland
Community governors Sarah Pease Nicky Davies
Staff governors Vivien McElroy Kate Ward
Local authority governors Libby Wallis Cllr Karen Barratt
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Chair of Governor's Introduction
One of our roles as governors is to support the school in responding to national and local issues. The last few months have been a busy time as we have been preparing for a government requirement to achieve the Financial Management Standard in Schools through an audit of our financial procedures. I am pleased to say that the auditor, at her visit on 29 January, found our financial paperwork to be exemplary, and once a few minor procedures are in place, we will be awarded the standard.
Governors have also been responding to the current campaign launched by the National Union of Headteachers against the retention of SATs at the end of Key Stage 2. We have not joined the campaign directly, but have set out our experience of the current debacle and our view of its significance to our local MP, Mark Oaten, and to the minister charged with responsibility for schools, Jim Knight. More information on the campaign for
those interested is available on the Union website at http://www.naht.org.uk/.
In line with our strategic role we are seeking a response from the County over the implications of the current level of housing development within our catchment area on our capacity to serve our local community. At the same time we are reviewing our options for the use of space now that we have reached, and
seem likely to be under pressure to exceed, our maximum intake. A report on this crucial aspect for the development of our school is included below.
The work of governors is never dull.
Mark Brown
What do the governors do?
Our major role is supporting the Headteacher in the management of the school in both the immediate and long term interests of the pupils.
We fulfill this role by:
- providing a strategic overview
- acting as a critical friend
- ensuring accountability to parents and the community for our actions and the school’s overall performance
Curriculum Matters
The Curriculum Committee has been looking closely at the Writing Action Plan that was drawn up by Mrs Garner to raise standards in writing undertaken by children across the school. Over the last couple of years there have been some disappointing writing results in the Key Stage 2 SATs and the school was not able to meet its targets. This is not seen as an issue specifically for Year 6 pupils but more about how children make progress in every year and the Action Plan is aiming to make progress more consistent and to provide children with more regular and extensive opportunities to develop their writing. For instance, each week Key Stage 1 children are now involved in “Wow Writing” and in Key Stage 2 they undertake “Power Writing.” The Action Plan is regularly monitored and we are keen to see what its impact will be on this year’s SATs results.
Last year the reception classes were reorganised into one unit with teachers focused on children having more opportunities to initiate their own learning and to learn through play. The committee has been monitoring how these changes have been received. One key issue is how children, who are now working in quite a different way in Reception, can make a smooth transition into Year 1 when they begin the National Curriculum and operate in a more structured learning environment. The Committee recently received a presentation from Mrs Garner on her evaluation of that transition which included a review of actions taken to aid transition, along with next steps.
Isabel Hughes
Personnel Committee
The personnel and community committee, as the name suggests, is predominantly involved with the well being of those working at the school. We also ensure that we maintain a dialogue with the community which includes such things as advising the local residents of events happening at the school.
One of our major and on going tasks is to ensure that the huge number of policies, often government driven but also essential for the smooth running of the school, are reviewed, updated and implemented.
The school travel plan, which was awarded funding at the end of last year, has also been a major task for the committee. During this school year we will be using some of the money to improve the safety for pupils at the school entrances as well as aiming towards our target of increasing numbers of pupils walking to school.
Tim Woodland
Western as a Church School
We enjoy close links with St Paul's and Rev Peter Seal often visits school to lead thoughtful assemblies and RE lessons. Mary Copping, Youth Worker from St Paul's, and Peter have started a Big Fish after school club for Y5 and 6 children which provides an opportunity to think about the Christian faith through discussion and fun activities.
We had a lovely YR/KS1 Carol Service at St Paul's, reminding us of the Christmas message in a moving and gentle way. Many Western children recently took part in the successful and enjoyable Holy Moses event.
Lorraine Smith
Premises Update
A sub-committee has been set up to look at both the short and long term premises issues that Western face. A particular area of concern is the need to provide a dedicated area for the teaching of small groups of children. Martin Shefferd, from HCC, met with Governors at school last week to consider possible building developments. Further feasibility studies will now follow on from this. A more detailed report will follow in the next newsletter.
Nicky Davies
Greening Fulflood
Over fifty residents braved the snow and ice to attend the first 'Greening Fulflood' meeting at Western School on 5 February. Lorraine Smith was there to lend her support too. The campaign, which started in Petersfield, is gathering momentum in the Winchester area and Fulflood is the first of the town areas to join. After a short presentation, the audience formed small discussion groups to choose their energy-saving challenges. These include turning off lights, not leaving things on stand-by, turning taps off when brushing teeth and not using cars for short journeys - all small achievable things. A number of residents signed up to help organise the official campaign launch, which will include the delivery of pledge cards listing the challenges to every house in Fulflood. If you work or live in Fulfood and want to get involved see www.greeningfulflood.org.uk or phone 01962 864956.
Karen Barratt
New Governors
Thanks to all of you that voted in last term’s Parent Governor Election. There were three positions to fill and we were very pleased to have so many excellent candidates put themselves forward. Congratulations to Mark Phillips, who was re-elected for a second term, and also to Stella Popowicz and Claire Boughton who we welcome to the team. The elections were a close run thing, and we really hope that those that did not become Parent Governors this time will consider putting themselves forward again in the future. We also welcome Kate Ward, who is the new Staff Governor, replacing Vicki Henderson. Kate works at the school as a Lunchtime Supervisory Assistant, as well as providing supply cover as a Learning Support Assistant. Thank you very much to Vicki, and also to Carla Zanetti for all they have done as Governors over the last four years.
Nicky Davies
Mark Brown standing down as Chair of Governors
After 6 years as a Parent and Community Governor, Mark Brown has decided to stand down. I knew that Mark had been thinking about this. May I join all the Governors in thanking him for his wisdom and insight into the complexities of school life. Mark has been a tremendous support to me in his role as chair and I have appreciated all that he has done for the school and for me in my role as headteacher.
Lorraine Smith
Parents’ feedback
As always, we would welcome and appreciate your feedback about this newsletter. Please let us know what areas you would like to be included in future issues.
Contact the governors: via the School Office 01962 852591
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"The role of the school governor is to support the school, but not uncritically explain its policies to parents and the community, but not blindly watch its standards, but with care, humility and an open mind help settle its disputes fairly and conscientiously oversee its policies and its use of the resources, but not in tiresome detail
But you should do these things as a governing body, not as an individual governor, and in all such matters you should act with knowledge and understanding of the school." (From A Working Partnership by Joan Sallis, governor and regular contributor to the Times Educational Supplement)
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"The role of the school governor is to support the school, but not uncritically explain its policies to parents and the community, but not blindly watch its standards, but with care, humility and an open mind help settle its disputes fairly and conscientiously oversee its policies and its use of the resources, but not in tiresome detail
But you should do these things as a governing body, not as an individual governor, and in all such matters you should act with knowledge and understanding of the school." (From A Working Partnership by Joan Sallis, governor and regular contributor to the Times Educational Supplement)
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"The role of the school governor is to support the school, but not uncritically explain its policies to parents and the community, but not blindly watch its standards, but with care, humility and an open mind help settle its disputes fairly and conscientiously oversee its policies and its use of the resources, but not in tiresome detail
But you should do these things as a governing body, not as an individual governor, and in all such matters you should act with knowledge and understanding of the school." (From A Working Partnership by Joan Sallis, governor and regular contributor to the Times Educational Supplement)
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