Chair of Governors' Annual Statement

Chelford CE Primary School – Annual Governance Statement 2024 / 2025

Introduction

Our School continues to achieve the highest standards, reflecting the ambitions and inspirational leadership of the Headteacher and the commitment and motivation given by a highly skilled staff. The pupils are highly valued and supported, in an environment where excellent pastoral care is a key strength allowing personal development to flourish and talents to grow. The school vision permeates the curriculum which offers opportunities for all pupils to thrive in a culture of respect and kindness.

In February 2025, the School was inspected under the Statutory Inspection of Anglican and Methodist Schools framework (SIAMS). The report highlighted the outstanding curriculum and extra curricular activities which were described as ‘engaging and exciting’ and which focus on developing a love of learning and nurturing talents. Pupils learn to support each other, develop a sense of personal responsibility and understand compassion and friendship. The report praised the school leadership for shaping the school vision and for constructing a curriculum which acts as a vehicle for delivering strong values, beliefs and spiritual development. Needless to say the report provides clear evidence of how far the School has grown and developed in the last few years and the high quality of provision on which its reputation now stands.

The Governing Board

The Governing Board consists of 13 governors of which four are parent governors, four are coopted, one is a Foundation governor representing the Church, two are ex officio governors (the Vicar and the Head), one is the staff governor, one is appointed by the local authority. An experienced Cheshire East Officer clerks the main FGB meetings, making sure that minutes are recorded and offering advice and guidance when appropriate to ensure compliance.

The FGB of Chelford School has three core functions:

To ensure clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction
To hold leaders to account for the educational performance of the School and its pupils, and the effective and efficient performance management of staff

To oversee the financial performance of the organisation and making sure its money is well spent

The Governing Board (FGB) continues to focus on maintaining strong accountability, but at the same time ensuring that it works in partnership with the Headteacher and staff to support wherever it can in keeping standards high. The Board makes an important contribution to strategic decision making, working with the Head and staff to ensure that the vision remains a key priority in the development of the School. Governors, with the Headteacher, establish short and long term priorities through development plans, which seek continual improvement in the curriculum and physical infrastructure, so that pupils receive the very best education.

Training

All governors have carried out mandatory training on safeguarding and PREVENT this school year. Members use a mixture of online and in person courses/training sessions to further their knowledge and understanding for monitoring the areas for which they are responsible, such as finance, health and safety, SEND, safeguarding and safer recruitment.

Committees

Committees which meet each term, are the means by which the FGB can deliver its core functions effectively and allow governors to make use of their specific skills, abilities and experience. They are used to handle specific areas of the School’s operations such as finance, curriculum, personnel and premises. In fact, much of the work of governance carries on in committees, where there are opportunities for wide ranging discussion and well informed decision making which approves and allocates the resources and structures for the Headteacher and staff to carry out their work unhindered. Committees regularly provide recommendations for the FGB to approve and members report back to FGB on progress and decisions. A skills audit is carried out every so often, to identify the breadth and depth of skills within the FGB, as well as identify areas that need strengthening. This enables the FGB to recruit suitable governors when vacancies arise.

Chelford FGB remains mindful, that in fulfilling its responsibilities professionally, it must work within a framework of compliance and legality.

Teaching and Learning Committee

Concentrates on curriculum matters. All members of the FGB are expected to attend this committee and they have the opportunity to examine the content of the curriculum; consider the different curriculum schemes; to approve relevant policies and to monitor their implementation. Often, staff will provide informative presentations to explain programmes of study. In the last 12 months, curriculum presentations have included maths, music, Early Years, RE, as well as discussions on extra curricular activities, safeguarding and e-Safety and SEND. The School Council also meets with the Committee as well as the FGB, to discuss its work, explain the roles and skills of pupil members and their achievements.

The Pay and Personnel Committee

This year governors have supported the Head in appointing appropriately experienced and qualified staff. Each year, the Committee approves the staffing structure which will allow the curriculum to be delivered in the most effective way. Governors review staff CPD and their own training regularly and also approve personnel related policies. The performance management of staff is monitored termly and pay reviewed each year. The HTPMP group continues to work with the School Improvement Partner in setting detailed annual targets for the Headteacher in line with school development plans; to engage in review meetings throughout the year; to monitor progress and to assess performance. The latest review with the SIP has indicated that the School continues to make significant progress and the curriculum is now fully in place and judged to be outstanding. Head and staff well being is an important focus for the Committee and discussions each term look to providing appropriate support where challenges and problems are in evidence.

Finance Committee

Governors meet with the LA Budget Officer each term to monitor the School’s financial performance measured against the annual budget. In the summer term, the annual budget is set, taking into account staffing, pay awards, contract changes and inflation. Spending decisions are linked to SDP priorities, to ensure that staff have sufficient resources to provide high quality teaching and learning. Meetings involve close analysis and monitoring of income and expenditure against budget headings. Governors support the Head in taking prudent spending decisions in line with best value principles and service contracts are reviewed and agreed thanks to the diligence of the Bursar. Although school finances present significant challenges, this year we have maintained positive balances.

Every year the School submits an annual review to provide assurance that the school is securing value for money and acting with financial integrity. Results of the review are submitted in an annual Statement of Financial Value Standards (SFVS) to Cheshire East Council. The SFVS contains the detailed results of the review, to demonstrate that we have sound and secure financial management in place. For the last three years, Chelford School has achieved the highest level of assurance.

Premises and Health and Safety Committee

Governors monitor the condition of buildings and take decisions on maintenance to ensure high quality accommodation and provide an environment which promotes safety. Governors receive regular feedback on accidents, ensure relevant risk assessments are in place and that required inspections are undertaken e.g. fire inspection, buildings condition assessment. This year detailed discussions have taken place with Cheshire East, to explore ways of improving the physical infrastructure of the school. Significant progress has been made in achieving solutions to existing accommodation constraints.

Some Key FGB Actions

Review and approved the School Financial and Value Standard and the Manual of Internal Procedures. Ensured that submission deadlines have been met
Ratified a wide range of statutory and non-statutory policies previously recommended by committees
Appointed a new Parent Governor
Approved the acquisition of a new mini bus
Communicated with Cheshire East on specialist provision for SEND pupils
Approved the annual budget
Approved the Sports Grant and Pupil Premium expenditure and monitored its impact
Approved the community use of premises e.g. Holiday Clubs
Reviewed and approved the SDP and SEF
Reviewed and approved the staffing structure
Allocated resources to support delivery of the curriculum
Monitored pupil progress data and attainment
Monitored the performance of the Headteacher
Reviewed School accommodation with Cheshire East Officers
Made regular visits to observe teaching and learning

Governor Visits

Governor visits remain an important part of governance. By observing what goes on in School, governors can see first hand how policies are implemented; how the curriculum is delivered; what is the quality of teaching and learning and the impact of key development priorities. Governors undertake meetings with staff, observe lessons, join pupils for school lunch and attend concerts. Link governors for Safeguarding and SEND meet with relevant staff each term and report to FGB on their areas.

Summary

Following on from the excellent Ofsted report last year, the SIAMS inspection clearly re-affirmed the praiseworthy outcomes from the continued and significant development work of the Head and staff. Chelford School has now firmly established its reputation as a place of educational excellence, something which is reflected in its growing popularity and the demand for admissions. With the growing demand for places, the physical expansion of the School is now a major development priority and we hope the next twelve months will bring forth important changes.

My thanks to governors for their respective roles in ensuring that governance remains robust, but also a genuine partnership with the Head, staff and pupils. Governors are volunteers but their responsibilities are extensive and often time consuming, so my thanks to them for their support..

This year we said goodbye to Sue Swain as parent governor. Sue was the longest serving parent governor and her skills and experience will be greatly missed. In her place, we welcome Lynsey Hunt as parent governor who brings new skills and experience to the FGB.

David Wilson Chair of Governors 18.6.25