*** Updated 24 Nov 17 ***
We were very lucky to have a strong field of Parents willing to step up to a leadership role in our school. The following two parents have been elected. We would like to take this opportunity thank all the candidates.
Keira Burns
For 11 years I have worked as a project manager within social housing. I manage employment and skills programmes. Some relevant experience below,
- Budget management
- experience of supporting disadvantaged client groups
- project management including European funded programme
- trained mentor and mentor trainer
- PTTL qualified (L4)
- Interest in supporting parents and children
- staff management/recruitment
- creative thinker
Jill Taylor
I think we are fortunate to have such a lovely school in our community and I would really like to be part of the Governing Body, ensuring all children at Sutton CP School have an enriched, exciting and fabulous education.
I have always been passionate about children's learning and have taught in primary schools for over ten years. before I took my career break I was Assistant Head for 3 years and I managed the Special Education Needs and Inclusion for five years. My roles and responsibilities were to analyse performance data and to track children's progress to ensure help, provision and guidance was allocated to specific pupils, striving for good those who were exceeding expectations met their full potential. I was also heavily involved in promoting good discipline within the school and implementing strategies to support pupils who needed further direction. I worked very closely with outside agencies, the governors and Headteacher to create and implement school development plans, always striving for good quality teaching and good outcomes for all pupils. I enjoyed my time on the governing body where I had experience in school finances, governor expectations, strategic planning and monitoring the impact of actions plans. These experiences have given me the skills to be effective governor - challenging and ensuring that decisions made are the best and will promote positive experiences and outcomes for all.
Special educational Needs are hugely important to me. I strongly believe that all children deserve and inclusive education where they are supported fully and their education is tailored to meet their individual needs. I will ensure that the Governing Body carries out its roles and responsibilities effectively to support all learners and their families, and children with additional needs do not go unnoticed.
I am really passionate about school and about children's learning experiences . I promise to ensure school gives all learners the best possible start, and the foundation for a happy and healthy life ahead.
Dear Parent
ELECTION OF PARENT GOVERNORS
The election will close at 3.30pm on Friday 17th November 2017
I am writing to let you know that there is to be an election of Parent Governors. The governing body, when it is complete, will be made up of twelve Governors of which three will be elected by the parents. There are currently two parent governor places to be filled.
The term “parent” includes anyone who has custody of a child registered at the school, as well as “natural” parents. Parents can stand for election and vote in secret in the election, if a ballot is needed.
As well as parents, the governing body is made up of a governor nominated by the Local Authority (the County Council), school staff, the headteacher and governors appointed by the rest of the governing body (co-opted governors). In voluntary controlled and aided schools there are also foundation governors.
Parent Governors have a four year term of office and continue to serve even if their child(ren) leaves the school during this period.
What Do Governors Do?
The governors’ work affects most aspects of the school’s work.
Once appointed or elected, all governors must operate in the best interest of pupils, not as representatives to lobby on behalf of their constituency. Their task is to govern the school. This means focusing on the core functions of providing strategic leadership, holding the headteacher to account and making sure the school’s money is well spent. This is a demanding task for which all governors need to have, or develop, relevant and appropriate skills.
The governors, together as a body, have a range of legal responsibilities, so being a governor is an important commitment and new governors should be willing to attend training to help them learn what is entailed.
We are looking for governors to fill the following skills gaps as identified by the Governing Body:
- Finance
- Special Educational Needs and Disabilities
Membership of the GB requires a focus on a range of skills, experience and interests; this could include:
- Leadership experience in education, governance or another sector
- Communication with a variety of audiences
- Innovation, research
- School financial management
- Personnel management
- Special educational needs
- Buildings and maintenance
- Health and safety
- Marketing
- Literacy, maths or other curriculum interests
The term “parent” includes anyone who has custody of a child registered at the school, as well as “natural” parents.
What is the role of a governing body?
Establishing the strategic direction, by:
- Setting the vision, values, and objectives for the school
- Agreeing the school improvement strategy with priorities and targets
- Meeting statutory duties
Ensuring accountability, by:
- Monitoring progress towards targets
- Carrying out the Performance Management of the headteacher
- Engaging with stakeholders e.g. parents, staff and the wider school community
- Contributing to school self-evaluation
Ensuring financial probity, by:
- Setting the budget
- Monitoring spending against the budget
- Ensuring value for money is obtained
- Ensuring risks to the organisation are managed
The governors, together as a body, have a range of legal responsibilities, being a governor is an important commitment and the Local Authority and school will provide induction training.
What is expected of governors?
- To acknowledge that accepting office as a governor involves the commitment of significant amounts of time and energy.
- To strive to work as a team in which constructive working relationships are actively promoted.
- To observe complete confidentiality when matters are deemed confidential or where they concern specific members of staff or pupils, both inside or outside school
- To accept collective responsibility for all decisions made by the board or its delegated agents. This means that we will not speak against majority decisions outside the governing board meeting.
Do Parent Governors have Special Responsibilities?
No. Parent Governors do not have “extra” duties. All governors are equally responsible and discharge their responsibilities as a body, not individually. The Parent Governors speak as parents: they can’t speak for all parents.
Are there any restrictions which could disqualify parents from becoming Parent Governors?
Yes, but they are unlikely to apply to most parents considering becoming a parent governor. The restrictions are contained in the School Governance (Constitution) (England) Regulations 2012, regulation 16 and subsequent amendment Regulations. A copy of these is attached as a Self Declaration form. Parents putting themselves forward for election will be required to sign this form and return it with a nomination form. If any of the restrictions apply you should not proceed with your nomination as a governor. Also, you are disqualified from election or appointment as a parent governor if you are an elected member of the local authority (-or if you are paid to work at the school for more than 500 hours in any twelve month period commencing on 1 August and finishing on 31 July).
Governors are subject to enhanced DBS checks and the elected parent will be provided, by the school with the requisite information as to how to access the on-line application form to complete. Following this, the school administrator or headteacher must be notified and the governor is required to take proof of identity (as detailed in the list of Valid Identity Documents) into school. The headteacher will then complete the verification form to the DBS Unit at County Hall for checking and forwarding to the DBS, Liverpool. The term of office of the successful candidate (s) can commence prior to a clear enhanced DBS being received by the school. However, it is essential that whilst the check is being processed the school should ensure that appropriate safeguarding procedures are adhered to.
It is recommended that you discuss this with me if you have any concerns over issues which may be highlighted by the Enhanced DBS as they may not exclude you from acting as a Parent Governor.
Can you be removed from office?
A person is disqualified from being a governor of a particular school if they have failed to attend the meetings of the governing body of that school for a continuous period of six months, beginning with the date of the first meeting they failed to attend, without the consent of the governing body.
The governing body may also remove an appointed or an elected parent governor. The code of conduct is expected to detail the circumstances in which the governing body may suspend or remove a governor.
Governing bodies are expected only to exercise the power to remove an elected governor in exceptional circumstances where the actions or behaviour of the elected governor warrants removal rather than suspension.
How are Parent Governors Elected?
Parent Governors must be people (aged at least 18) who have a child(ren) at the school when they are elected. Nomination forms are available from the school. Each form must be signed by the candidate. Candidates can also make a short statement about themselves - a simple form for this purpose will be provided with nomination forms. Return the form to me as quickly as possible.
If more nominations are received than there are places to fill, there will be a secret ballot and I will send to each parent, ballot forms (1 per parent) and envelopes for their return. The form explains how votes may be cast.
If the number of nominations received is the same as the number of places to be filled, then those people will be declared elected. If there are fewer, those nominated will be declared elected and it will be for the governing body to fill any remaining vacancy by appointing a parent governor.
The rules for the election are written down in Procedures set by the Local Authority, and these can be inspected at the school.
Result of the Election
The names of those elected will be displayed at the school for at least seven days and will be included in the next edition of the school prospectus or placed on the school website.
Anyone having any query about the election is invited to contact the school.
Yours sincerely
Fiona Beetles
Headteacher and Returning Officer
THE CLOSING DATE FOR NOMINATION IS FRIDAY 20TH OCTOBER AT 3.30PM
