Governors Overview
Our Governing Board plays a key role in developing the strategic direction of the school and we are fortunate to have a committed, diverse and caring team of people.
Governors have a vital role in the school, and work together to achieve the following:
- ensuring the school has a clear vision and strategic plan
- holding Mrs Harvey, as Headteacher, to account for the educational performance of the school and the performance management of the staff and
- overseeing the financial performance of the school and ensuring money is well spent
Roles and Declarations of Interest of the Governing Board
Impact of Governance at St. Martin’s
The Governing Board produces an annual Impact Statement to provide information on their work from the previous year. The Impact Statements from the last two years are available to read via the links below.
- 2021-22 Chair's Introduction to the Governing Board Impact Statement
- 2021-22 Governing Board Impact Statement
- 2020-21 Introduction to Governing Board Impact Statement
- 2020-21 Governing Board Impact Statement
Structure of Governance at St. Martin’s
The Governing Board works to a Lead Governor governance structure with no separate Resources or Teaching & Learning Committees. The Board meets four times each term with an additional meeting in the summer term to review that year's school improvement plan. The Lead Governors report directly to the Full Governing Board and have delegated responsibility for defined areas of work. Governors follow the Board's Annual Cycle of Work and provide termly written reports. The Board currently has Lead Governors for the following areas (click on each to view the Terms of Reference):
- Curriculum
- Early Years
- Parent & Christian Community Links
- Safeguarding
- SEND & Inclusion
- Health & Safety and Premises
- Staffing
- Finance
Voting Rights for Associate Members
There is currently one Associate Member who is available to sit on the 1st and 2nd Committees if needed and has voting rights for any formal process he is involved with.
Committees
The Leadership and Teachers’ Pay Committee meet once a term. The Admissions Committee meets once to twice a year, as required. Committee Terms of Reference can be viewed below.
There are two further committees which only meet if there is a need for them to do so. These committees are convened to consider any formal proceedings, such a a staff disciplinary issue or the permanent exclusion of a pupil.
Governors from St. Martin’s also sit on the East Devon Church Schools Partnership Committee, which includes Otter Valley Federation and Withycombe Raleigh Primary School. This provides an opportunity to share practice, collaborate on different projects and exchange ideas and resources.
Additional work carried out by Governors
Governors play a key role in monitoring the progress of the School Improvement Plan, which involves discussions and meetings with staff, visiting the school, identifying actions and questions and contributing to the School Improvement Review at the end of each year. More information on this can be found on the Governor School Improvement Monitoring page. The Governing Board also supports the Headteacher with preparing for OfSTED and SIAMS (Statutory Inspection of Anglican & Methodist Schools) inspections.
Should you have any queries regarding the work of the Governing Board, please contact the Clerk to Governors at clerk@stmartinscranbrook.devon.sch.uk