Annual Report by Chair of Governors
In accordance with the Government’s requirements for all governing bodies, the three strategic functions of Epinay governing board are:
- Ensuring the Vision, Ethos and Strategic direction is embedded in all School activities.
- Holding the Headteacher to account for the educational performance of the school.
- Monitoring the financial performance of the school and making sure its money is well spent.
The Governing board works with the Head Teacher to promote and maintain high standards of educational achievement. This annual statement outlines how the Governing Body has fulfilled its responsibilities and how it has met the core strategic functions of the school’s Governing Board.
Our governing board consists of up to 13 members who have the skills and expertise required to contribute to the effective governance and success of the school. As governors we provide challenges to the school by holding the Head Teacher and senior leaders to account for improving the quality of teaching, learning and school performance. We achieve this through questioning, regular monitoring and analysis of data on performance and progress. Governors hold the headteacher to account for the performance management of teachers and robust target setting.
We have a wide range of experience from various walks of life and the business environment. We utilise our skills to enable us to meet and overcome challenges we face.
Thank you to our parent governor, who stepped down this year, for their contribution over the past 4 years and we are delighted to see Audrey Huntley returning. We also welcome a few new Governors to the Board bringing in new skills to the board.
What a wonderful year we have had in our second year at the new school site on Nevinson Avenue. The school is now fully functioning and we are delighted with the additional space and classrooms, all the new facilities and we are keen to unlock the many opportunities that we have ahead of us. We have also seen our pupil numbers increase again this year, moving from 215 students in 2023-24 to 225 students in 2024-25.
We would like to say a huge thanks to the staff and pupils and share our successes. The school has also gained recognition for areas of work including; careers, reading and family first quality award and are working toward a SMSC quality mark as part of the school’s continuous school development.
We have seen some school developments over the past year including a new primary swing and accessible roundabout and the fabulous new immersive room and already have plans for 2024-25 for a new soft play and exploration centre.
The governing board considers:
- Standards, attainment and progress of all school groups
- The School’s Improvement Plan
- Attendance and punctuality
- Safeguarding
- Staffing
- Budget and finance monitoring
- Pupil Premium allowance and its impact on pupils
- Health and Safety for premises and stakeholders
- Support the Mental Health of All.
- Ensures Teaching is outstanding
- The effective tracking systems in place
You can see further information, attendance and business interests information on Our Governors page
Here are some of the ways in which the governing board has made impact on the strategic management of the school:
School move to new school site
We successfully moved school sites from Jarrow to South Shields in September 2022 and continues to develop curriculum areas and opportunities for students.
Self-Evaluation Plan (SEF)
Senior leaders share the SEF with governors, so we can identify and monitor progress made towards the key area objectives. The SEF is based on priorities identified from data and Ofsted priorities. The SEF is reviewed and monitored continually
Policies
Governors review all relevant policies on a programmed basis to ensure that all guidance is current and up to date. Special attention is paid to ensure that the school complies with the Department of Education’s mandatory policies and adopt and add as required by our school South Tyneside Education Policies.
Data and Curriculum
Data is made available to governors with both verbal and written presentations followed by question-and-answer sessions with the headteacher and members of the senior leadership team, enabling the governors to benchmark their data against similar schools,
pupil progress across all groups is the basis on what we see as impactful inventions,
The curriculum is monitored and adapted by the Head Teacher, Senior Leadership Team, and staff to ensure the curriculum provides for all children with what they need, it’s ambitious, very stretching, the children’s learning environment is inspirational and exciting.
The school ensures the well-being of all students, and the curriculum supports their development, develops their confidence and stamina, and prepares them for the next stages in their lives effective use of our Pupil Premium Grant.
We use a targeted intervention programme for all pupils that require additional support, we have commenced the Read Write Inc Model, and have seen improvements from early attainment data.
Safeguarding
Safeguarding is always of paramount importance. The school’s policies are reviewed and approved by the Board of Governors, and they ensure they meet the full requirements. Our Safeguarding Governor Audrey Huntley meets with the Head Teacher regularly to offer support, advice, and challenge.
The Governors have attended safeguarding training delivered by the Local Authority and our external partner Clennell. All staff and Governors have received Part 1 of Keeping Children Safe in Education training and are given a link to the full version. The Single Central Record is checked by the Chair of Governors every half term
Finance
Members of the governing board have attended training on school finance management, and the budget is monitored effectively through regular review. The school finances have been closely monitored with 6/9/12 month reviews.
As a requirement of School Financial Value Standards (SFVS) we report that at present the school has 1 employee whose gross salary exceeds £100k.
Governor Visits and Training
Governors are required to visit the school regularly to ensure the priorities of the school are evident and to understand more effectively the key issues on the SIP. A visit is reported back to governing board meetings for discussion. Governors bring a variety of expertise to the school, and this helps to ensure the school is moving forward. Governors attend a variety of training to enable them to perform their roles effectively.
Attendance
Governor attendance is good, any absences are explained and accepted by the governing board. There is a very good level of commitment shown by all members of the governing board, each brings a wealth of personal and professional experience
Review
The governing board annually performs a skills audit of its members.
The Governing Board continually seeks improvement for the provision of education at our school. We are an outward looking school and we take an individual approach when considering the development of all our pupils. Working closely with the Head Teacher, Senior Leadership Team, and all members of staff, we are constantly striving to improve and develop the school in all areas. The relationship between the Governing Body, the Senior Leadership Team and all the staff is based on trust, respect, and support. The results of which are a great education from the school being judged outstanding by OFSTED.
We are a multi skilled dynamic Governing Body, with a wide range of experience in all walks of life and the business environment. We utilise these skills to enable us to meet and overcome any challenges we have faced and those which will no doubt come our way in these unprecedented times ahead.
We look forward to a productive year ahead and will continue to work with the Head Teacher and all the staff for the benefit of all the pupils.
We are always ready to listen, ready to learn together – #Team Epinay.
We always welcome suggestions, feedback and ideas from parents and carers. Please contact the Chair of Governors, Mr Robert Whitelaw, via the school office.
More information about our Governors can be found on Our Governors page, or via this link
