A Director of Secondary Schools visits at least once per half term. Time is spent scrutinising performance data, self-evaluation, improvement planning, systems and structures, finance and safeguarding, leading to challenge and support where required. At least one visit per term includes a more in-depth study of the school including learning walks, student work scrutiny, interviews with a range of staff and students, and documentation scrutiny. For these visits the Director is accompanied by an Ofsted trained inspector, the Deputy Director of secondary schools and usually a Principal from another United Learning school. For all visits a formal report is produced with actions which the school formally responds to in its improvement plan.
A Business Partner who visits the school at least once per half term, focusing on finance, ensuring best value and sustainability, and providing challenge and support where required.
The school also has a Local Governing Body (LGB) whose governors represent a mix of experienced stakeholders. The role of the LGB is to provide challenge, support and advice to the school’s leadership team on all school matters and also to advise the Director of Secondary Schools as required. The work of the LGB is extensive and includes:
At least termly Governance meetings that focus on school self-evaluation, improvement planning, student and staff performance, finance, health and safety and buildings. Safeguarding is reported at all LGB and committee meetings. These meetings are minuted.
Both the Finance Committee and Personnel and Premises Committee meet at least once a term. The Finance Committee focuses on school finance and best value. And the Personnel and Premises Committee focuses on student and staff behaviour and welfare, health and safety, vulnerable groups including Pupil Premium and SEN, and buildings. These meetings are minuted.
Link Governors report on The Quality of Education, Leadership and Management, Behaviour and Attitudes, Personal Development and Evaluating Sixth Form provision. The expertise of governors enables the effective (where applicable to the theme) scrutiny of documentation, interviews with staff and students, learning walks and student work scrutiny. A formal report is written by the visiting governor(s) which summarises findings and includes recommendations where appropriate, which are acted upon by the school’s senior leadership team. These reports form part of the rigorous support and challenge that ensure governors know the school well.
Frequent meetings between the Chair of Governors and the Principal to discuss various strategies and current effective practice and issues.
Click here to access the Governance Scheme of Delegation which outlines the roles and responsibilities of Governance within United Learning
Click here to read the strategy for local governance
THE LOCAL GOVERNING BODY MEMBERS ARE: