Dallam Community Primary School

Academic Year 2021 -22

In accordance with the Government’s requirement for all governing bodies, the 3 core strategic functions of the Governing Body of Dallam Community Primary School are:

• Ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction.
• Holding the head teacher to account for the educational performance of the school and its pupils.
• Overseeing the financial performance of the school and making sure its money is well spent.

Governance Arrangements

The Governing Body of Dallam Community Primary consists of the following members;

• Head Teacher – Mrs Amanda Downey
• 1 staff governor – Mr Geoff Boulter
• 1 elected parent governor – Mrs Chelsey Norton, together with 1 vacancy
• 1 Local Authority governor – Vacant
• 5 co-opted governors – Miss Ashlea O’Rourke, Mrs Ann Harrison, Mrs Donna Kendal, Mrs Jennie Pirks, Mrs Emma Whaley and Dr Margaret Emsley

Total – 9 members with 2 vacancies

The Full Governing Body meets once each term and continued to do so for the full academic year. Sub committees meet, to consider different aspects of the school in detail and any actions or headlines are reported into the Full Governing Body meeting. Here at Dallam Community Primary School, we have a Resources Committee, a Standards 1 Committee, a Standards 2 Committee and a Head Teacher Performance Management Committee. All of which receive regular updates from the school leadership team, as well as updates in relation to attainment, safeguarding, behaviour, attendance and special educational needs.

Our governors undertake a skills audit at the beginning of each year and attend training and refresher training, as appropriate, to ensure the Governing Body continues to have the appropriate mix of skills and expertise to effectively undertake its functions.

 Attendance record of governors

Governors’ attendance at meetings is maintained. Meetings continue to be quorate (the minimum number of governors present) to ratify decisions. 

The work that we have done within our committees and in the governing body

During the first half of the academic year, the governing body monitored the school improvement plan and looked at its impact on pupil achievement and their wellbeing. We also carried out the Head Teachers Performance Management duty.

The Resources Committee (Finance/Personnel) met throughout the year to monitor the budget and staffing. Due to continued increased costs, school finances continue to be a challenge. The Resources Committee includes managing the Personnel arrangements at the school and these were monitored regularly to ensure adequate levels were maintained across school, to meet the needs of the children.

The Standards 1 Committee (performance data) met throughout the year and looked at tracking performance data, which gives the results of pupil achievement and progress. Standards 1 action points and any lines of enquiry are picked up by the Standards 2 committee, for the members to seek the evidence of good practice or relevant interventions. This has taken place across the year, in various ways.

Standards 2 committee have met throughout the year with a focus on the curriculum. This included discussion with subject leaders and with children. They talked passionately about what is being taught and how this had built on previous learning. Governors particularly enjoyed an afternoon visit to school to look at PE in detail. Children used a wide range of vocabulary to describe the learning and why they do PE in school. The children highlighted the importance of PE in getting exercise, being healthy and supporting their mental health.

Governors and Headteacher undertook a collaborative exercise across the school community to reshape our school vision. This included children, parents, staff and governors to ensure that it was reflective of our school and our community. Nurture, Inspire and Achieve - Success at the Heart of the Community

Governors took the opportunity to look at their link responsibilities and made the change to align them with aspects of our curriculum. This change has supported increased interaction between Governors and subject leaders. The impact of this has been increased monitoring of subjects identified in the school development plan. Governors have a nominated governor for safeguarding and special education needs (Mrs Donna Kendal). She meets termly with the SENDCo and with the Designated Safeguarding Lead.

Future plans for the Governors

• To further refine link monitoring roles to better reflect the school development plan
• To further improve our understanding of teaching and learning across the curriculum
• To strengthen Governors skillset to ensure governors are aligned appropriately to the work of the Board and are therefore able to fully support the school

On behalf of the Governors of Dallam Primary School I would like to thank Mrs Downey, and all the staff for their hard work, commitment and enthusiasm, during this year. Also, may I express our special thanks to our parents and carers, for their continued support as together we help to make our school the very special and safe place that it is.

How you can contact the governing body

We always welcome suggestions, feedback and ideas from parents and the community - please contact the Chair of Governors, via the school office or the email addresses below. 

If you are interested in becoming a Governor, please contact our Chair of Governors, Ashlea O'Rourke on the contact details below.

Email address:  aorourke@dallamprimary.com

Alternativlty you can contact our business manager, Mrs. Kendal for more information on 01925 633927 or by email at dallam_bus_man@sch.warrington.gov.uk