Chair of Governors' Annual Statement

Chelford CE Primary School – Annual Governance Statement 2025/26

Introduction

Our School continues to flourish, with new accommodation providing an exciting learning environment for Reception and Class 1 pupils. The journey to achieve this welcome improvement in classroom provision has been a long one stretching back several years and involving complex negotiations with Cheshire East. Thanks to the unstinting efforts of the Headteacher and his passion and commitment to making it happen, along with the cooperation of local authority personnel, the building programme was finally completed in June. The new building reflects the ambitions of governors and the Headteacher to deliver and sustain the outstanding education for all pupils at Chelford School with its place in the heart of the community. Being able to add an additional class, has now removed the anomaly of having three year groups in one class and this will bring significant benefits to pupils and teaching staff in meeting the requirements of the national curriculum.

Excellent pastoral care remains a key strength of the School, allowing personal development to flourish and talents to grow. The curriculum offers opportunities for all pupils to thrive in a culture of respect and kindness and the offer from a growing extra curricular provision, allows pupils to participate in a wide range of opportunities and develop new experiences and talents e.g. music. Pupils learn to support each other, develop a sense of personal responsibility and understand compassion and friendship.

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) recognises its significant statutory responsibilities to pupils, staff and families in maintaining strong accountability and ensuring that the School delivers the very best of outcomes for all concerned. However, the key to a successful school is a strong and productive partnership with governors, the Headteacher and staff in sustaining high standards and ensuring that the school vision and values remain firmly at the centre of our work. I am pleased to say that we work as a genuine team at Chelford, supporting each other and sharing the challenges of meeting the needs of all pupils.

Training

All governors carry out mandatory training on safeguarding and PREVENT each 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. Skills audits allow training needs to be identified, as well as assisting in the recruitment of new governors to ensure a balance of expertise and abilities.

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 focus on specific areas of the School’s operations finance, curriculum, personnel and premises. Much of the work of governance is undertaken in committees, allowing for wide ranging discussion, well informed decision making, approving relevant policies and determining resource allocation for the Headteacher and staff to carry out their work effectively. A wide range of decisions are delegated to committees, some of which are taken forward for ratification by the full Board.

Teaching and Learning Committee

Concentrates on standards and curriculum. All governors attend this committee and they have the opportunity to examine the content of the curriculum; consider the different curriculum schemes; approve relevant policies and monitor their implementation. Often, staff will provide informative presentations to explain teaching methods and curriculum content. In the last 12 months, discussions have focused on adapting the curriculum to the new accommodation; meeting the needs of SEND pupils; the new Ofsted framework and inclusion; residential visits; understanding pupil data.

The Pay and Personnel Committee

This year governors have supported the Head in adapting the staffing structure to changing circumstances and staff turnover. Much discussion has focused on providing an appropriate staffing structure for the new accommodation. 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 Headteacher appraisal group works with the School Improvement Partner (SIP) 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. This year 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

Like all schools, Chelford is faced with financial challenges in a world of rising costs and central funding which constrains decision making. Governors meet termly with the LA Budget Officer to monitor the School’s financial performance and to ensure that we remain within budget. Spending decisions are linked to development priorities and to make sure that staff have high quality teaching resources. Governors support the Head in taking prudent spending decisions in line with best value principles and service contracts are reviewed annually. Every year the School submits an annual review to provide assurance that the school is securing value for money and acting with financial integrity. 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, considerable committee time has been devoted to planning the new physical infrastructure of the School.

Some Key Priorities for the Coming Year

To manage all aspects of school expansion to a 4-class model including staffing, finance and sustainability, curriculum and external partnerships.
To explore and embrace opportunities for use of AI to enhance school curriculum, pedagogy and administration

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. Some governors are nominated as link governors which allows them to focus on specific areas of curriculum, safeguarding, pupils with special needs and health and safety. These governors report back to the Board each term. Governors undertake meetings with staff, observe lessons and support staff in the classroom, join pupils for school lunch and attend concerts.

Summary

Chelford School continues to be a place of excellent teaching and learning, something which is recognised through its popularity and demand for places. Next year marks a new phase in its development with new classrooms and a new teaching and class structure which will further enhance the reputation of the school.

Recently we welcomed Eleanor Daniel and Dr Michelle Latchford as parent governors. Also we remember with affection, Laura McAleenan and her contribution as parent governor,

David Wilson Chair of Governors 15.6.26