Governance
The Governors are an integral part of the running of our school. They provide challenge, support, expertise, encouragement and critical friendship throughout the year.
Meetings of the whole governing body are held twice termly in school and various working groups and committees meet at other times. These groups are made up from different members of the whole body. The Governors are drawn from the local community, parents and other representatives. We have a Governing Body who are very involved with the school. Because of work and family commitments some have more time to spend in school than others but they are all very committed to the continuing improvement of our village primary school. Much of the work of the Governing Body is done by committees which focus on different aspects of school business. At Occold Primary School, we have the following committees.
School Effectiveness Committee
Its main purpose is to discuss and monitor all aspects of the school’s work around pupil attainment and progress, and ensuring that the school’s curriculum is broad and balanced and meets statutory requirements. The committee also meets to discuss and monitor all aspects of the school’s pastoral work which includes areas such as attendance, behaviour, safeguarding, health, and spiritual, moral, social and cultural (SMSC) provision; link governors include ones for Safeguarding and SEND. An important role of the committee is to ensure all Child Protection policies are fully understood and correctly implemented by all staff.
School Resources Committee
This committee’s main purpose is to ensure that the school spending remains within budget and that all funds are spent wisely to best meet the needs of the pupils; whilst it typically meets every term, there are additional review meetings with the school’s local authority finance teams. Health and safety of the school site is also part of this committee’s remit.
Steering Committee
The main role of this small committee is to be available to respond to matters of particular difficulty, sensitivity or urgency and offer advice to the Headteacher on key decisions. The membership consists of the Chair of Governors and the Chairs of the Resources and Effectiveness Committees.
Hearings Committee
This committee is concerned with decisions relating to personnel procedures where it is not appropriate to involve the Headteacher.
Appeals Committee
This committee forms to consider appeals made to the Hearings Committee.
Pupil Discipline Committee
This focus of this committee is to ensure appropriate policies are in place relating to behaviour and discipline. In addition, they are also able to consider representations from parents in the case of exclusions.
Headteacher Performance Review Group
The role of this group is to meet with an independent external advisor to discuss and review the Headteacher's performance.
|
Role |
Name |
Term starts |
Term ends |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Executive Head |
Gemma Watts |
01/09/2024 |
31/08/2028 |
|
Staff Governor |
Katie Thornton |
01/09/2024 |
31/08/2028 |
|
Co-Opted |
Carol Peters (Chair) |
10/09/2022 |
09/09/2026 |
|
Trust Governor |
Jeni Smith (VC) |
10/09/2022 |
09/09/2026 |
|
Co-Opted |
Janet Erhorn |
10/09/2022 |
31/08/2026 |
|
Co-Opted |
Gill Chapman |
01/10/2020 |
30/9/2024 |
|
Co-Opted |
Gemma Harris |
15/07/2021 |
14/07/2025 |
|
Co-Opted |
Emma Beilby-Walmsley |
09/11/2023 |
08/11/2027 |
|
Parent Governor |
Rachel Westmancott |
01/09/2022 |
31/08/2026 |
|
Co-Opted |
Sophie Underwood |
13/01/2022 |
12/01/2026 |
All Saints Schools Trust
Occold Primary School converted to academy status in 2018 and is now part of the All Saints Schools Trust. This is a charitable company limited by guarantee and registered in England and Wales (Company Number: 11216388). The registered office is as follows: All Saints Church of England Primary School, Framlingham Road, Laxfield, Woodbridge, Suffolk, IP13 8HD. You can email general enquiries to admin@asst.org.uk or call 01986 798344.
Mrs Gemma Watts is also Executive Headteacher of St Peter & St Paul CofE Primary School.
St Peter & St Paul CofE Primary School www.sspeterandpaulprimaryeye.co.uk
Details of the trust's funding agreements, articles, accounts, and other detailed governance arrangements can be found on the All Saints Schools Trust Website.
Declarations of Governor interests can be found in the document below.