School Governors

Governance at Allendale Primary School

Whether you are a pupil, parent, prospective parent, member of staff, member of our local community, or someone interested in becoming a governor, thank you for your interest in our website. I hope you will take the time to read about how Allendale Primary School is governed and who is involved.
I feel very privileged to be the current Chair of Governors at Allendale Primary School. Over the past few years there have been many changes at APS and I am confident that our school will continue to go from strength to strength during my term as Chair.

Yours sincerely
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Mrs Cheryl Litster Smith
Chair Governors

How is our school governed?

All schools are required to have a Governing Body whose role is to have a strong focus on three core strategic functions:

1.     Ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction.
2.     Holding the Headteacher to account for the educational performance of the school and        its pupils, and the performance management of staff.
3.     Overseeing the financial performance of the school and making sure its money is well spent.

The Governing Body is made up of volunteers who, as a whole group, have the knowledge, skills and time to be able to perform these strategic functions. Here at Allendale Primary School we have 12 places on our governing body. We meet as a full governing body at least once per term but the majority of our work takes place in committees which also meet at least once per term. As well as being members of committees, our “non- staff” governors also take an interest in all areas of the curriculum.

How are we doing?

All our governors work hard to support, challenge and hold the school to account so that Allendale Primary School is successful both now and in the future. We have a high attendance record of all governors at both full board and committee meetings.
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Following our very positive Ofsted Inspection report in July 2018, the leadership team, both staff and governors, have continued to drive the school forward towards our vision. The Ofsted inspection report can be read by following the link on this website. The Inspection team stated that “Governors apply their professional expertise and knowledge well to make certain that they target support and provide challenge where and when it is needed. They are fully involved in setting the school’s strategic priorities and consult with parents and carers to ensure that their work is relevant. Regular visits to see what is happening, discussions and consultation with staff and pupils, and close attention to pupils’ academic performance result in a good knowledge of the school. Governors undertake regular training to ensure that they maintain effective challenge. ”

During 2019 / 20 we:

• Worked with all staff to support the school development/improvement plan strategies.

• Monitored progress towards targets.  

• Contributed towards self-evaluation.

• Worked to build further collaboration with partner schools. 

• Worked with all staff to further develop the curriculum.

• Supported the school with Covid-19 planning.

During 2020 / 21 we shall:

• Continue to promote the successes of the school through projects such as updating the prospectus and reviewing the website.

• Work with all staff to support the school development/improvement plan strategies.

• Monitor progress towards targets and monitor how the ‘catch up premium’ money is used. 

• Contribute towards self-evaluation.

• Work to build further collaboration with partner schools and other community organisations.

• Work with all staff to further develop the curriculum and feedback systems, whilst supporting children in their return to education following the lock-down period.

• Monitor the quality of any remote learning delivered as a result of Covid-19.