Ruth Greaney
Chair of LGC
Welcome
I’m excited about what St Lawrence’s has already achieved since September 2016, and the ambition for the school evident under its new headteacher. There is a real focus from the team under Mrs Coles’ leadership that has resulted in increased achievement and progress in 2017 as well as a new commitment to the whole child and providing a rounded education.
As part of the Pathfinder family of schools we have access to a wealth of school improvement resources as well as being able to share some of our successes and best practice with other schools locally. Our most recent parental survey found every single parent of more than 50 responses saying they were happy with the school and the progress their children were making here.
We’d love to show you a bit more about what’s happening at St Lawrence’s – if you’re thinking of sending your child here and you’d like an informal chat or tour of the school do contact the school office.
The Local Governing Committee
The most important thing about any school is the people in it. At St Lawrence’s we’re very proud of both our staff and the students and the way they contribute to the school. We believe that our pupils are happy here and see our school as a place where they can achieve and succeed. The LGC is a strong working group committed to the welfare of the school. It is responsible for the appointment of the Headteacher and comprises seven Foundation Governors; two staff governors including the Headteacher; two parent governors (elected by a ballot for which all parents and guardians are eligible to vote); and one co-opted governor. Governors meet twice every term for a full LGC meeting and each governor also has a link area which they have a particular responsibility for.
What makes a good governor?
“The true measure of a nation’s standing is how well it attends to its children – their health and safety, their material security, their education and socialisation, and their sense of being loved, valued, and included in the families and societies into which they are born.” (UNICEF)
The most important quality is the desire to make a difference to children’s lives through education. In addition to this, attributes that make a good school governor include:
- A desire to help the local community
- An external perspective
- A willingness to change assumptions
- The time to get involved
- The ability to work as part of a team
What do governors do?
Among other responsibilities they:
- Set appropriate targets for student achievement
- Develop and review the School Improvement Plan
- Manage the school’s budget
- Review curriculum
- Be a “critical friend” to Headteacher and other professionals
- Appoint Headteacher
- Establish and review performance management
- Manage legal duties e.g. to students with Special Educational Needs
- Self evaluate school’s strengths and weaknesses, prepare for OFSTED inspections and draw up action plan post OFSTED visit
- Hear exclusion and disciplinary appeals
- Prioritise responses to plethora of government initiatives!
- Governors do NOT get involved in the day to day operational aspects of school – this is the job of the Headteacher and her staff. Their role is more strategic and long term.
Why does it matter?
According to OFSTED, “…where governance is good, standards of attainment are more likely to be higher than in other schools. The quality of teaching, the behaviour of the pupils, and leadership and management are also more likely to be good. Where governance is weak, schools are more likely to be less successful overall.”
How might I become involved?
The full LGC meets six times every year and governors also belong to one or three committees. If you’d like to have an informal discussion about the possibility of becoming a Governor, do contact Ruth Greaney, Chair of the LGC, via the school.
