GOVERNORS REPORT TO STAKEHOLDERS 2017-2018
INTRODUCTION
The National Governance Association (NGA) recommends that governing boards of all schools provide a report to stakeholders (specifically to parents and carers) on an annual basis. This is so that the governing board can communicate their strategic plan, celebrate the successes of the school during the reporting period and increase parents’ understanding of what the governing board is there to do. This report covers the school academic year from September 2017 up until July 2018 and is written as the school returns from the summer block leave period.
CORE FUNCTIONS IN DETAIL 1. Vision, Strategy and Ethos
Vision. The governing board is responsible for setting the school’s vision (what the school will look like in three to five years’ time) and developing the strategy (what it will do to get to that point). The Matravers vision for the school states ‘Our Vision is for Matravers School to be a world-class centre for teaching and learning at the heart of our region, the secondary school of choice for young people.’ That vision underpins everything the governing board does in terms of its strategic planning and decision making.
Strategy. At the beginning of each academic year, the governing board completes a strategic planning session in order to review the school’s vision and strategy. During these sessions, we determine how much progress has been made in delivering the vision, and then agree a set of priorities for the coming year. These priorities will include e.g. targets for exam results and attendance, as well as identifying goals for improvements to the school site and facilities. It is important that this strategy is agreed at the outset, along with the priorities for delivery as this is used to inform our decision making throughout the academic year.
Ethos. Matravers is rightly very proud of its inclusive and aspirational ethos and its commitment to the performing arts, coupled with the vast range of opportunities afforded by its enrichment activities (extra-curricular) provision. This ethos is fully endorsed by the governing board and we take a close interest in initiatives taken to help raise aspirations among our cohort, to provide new and exciting opportunities for all students as well as develop our students into well rounded and confident young people.
www.matravers.wilts.sch.uk
Throughout the year, we have attended a wide range of school events where we have seen time and again just how inspirational and talented our students are. This has been demonstrated through events such as school concerts, sporting events, cadet parades, celebration evenings and of course, the annual school production. The school production epitomises the schools overarching ethos, demonstrating amazing dedication and commitment from staff and students alike. It also provides the students with a platform from which to showcase their amazing range of artistic talents. Last year we were treated to a fantastic performance of Beauty and the Beast and the quality of acting, dancing and singing really was exceptional. The governing board is very much looking forward to this year’s production which is ‘We Will Rock You’.
Governors undertook Visit Days in Terms 2 and 4 which provided us with an opportunity to see the ‘school in action’ first hand. Whenever we visit the school during the working day, we are always struck by how calm and orderly the school is. We were invited to see a variety of lessons from all year groups, across the entire curriculum. We also interviewed a cross section of students to get their views on what it was like to be a student at our school. What was striking was how confident, personable and articulate the students were. They were also very proud of their school and the opportunities it provided to them. It was good to note that the students had high aspirations for themselves and that they felt well supported by our staff.
2. Holding the Executive Leaders to Account
The governing board is responsible for holding the Headteacher to account for the education of pupils and the management of staff. We do this in a variety of ways, offering both challenge (where there are perceived areas of weakness) and support (where there are strengths). We also set targets for the Headteacher in areas such as attendance and educational outcomes. This year, the school has worked tirelessly to meet governor targets for attendance and we are very pleased to say that this drive has brought fantastic results.
Attendance. Good attendance at school is fundamental to any student’s education. Quite simply, if they do not attend, they will not learn, and that is why the governing board sets the Headteacher challenging attendance targets each year. Attendance across the school is now above national average in
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