Our Governing Body

Governors work closely with headteachers, school staff and representatives from the local authority (LA).

Governor Committee Structure

Name	Representing	Term of Office	Committee	Responsibilities Special Interests	Relationship to Staff	Register of Interest
Mrs Alison Moore (Chair)	Appointed by governing body (Co-opted Governor)	19/09/2019 - 18/09/2020	Appeals Curriculum & Online Safety Headteacher Performance Management Pupil Discipline	English Culture DT Art MFL	None	None
Ms Miranda Newton	Co-opted Governor (Vice Chair)	07/06/2018 - 06/02/2022	Finance, Premises & Personnel First/Pay Review Headteacher Performance	PE Sports Premium Music	None	None
Cllr Derek Hicks	Co-opted Governor	19/09/2019 - 18/09/2023	Appeals Finance, Premises & Personnel	Science	None	None
Mr David Grimes	Co-opted Governor	19/09/2019 - 18/09/2023	Appeals Curriculum & Online Safety Pupil Discipline	Maths Behaviour SMSC, British Values, Citizenship, PSHE & RHE	Chair of Governors at Shotley Bridge Primary	None
Cllr David Bell	LA Appointed Governor	26/09/2016 - 25/09/2020	First/Pay Review	History	None	None
Mrs Helen Louise Templeton - Head Teacher	Headteacher	01/09/2015 - ongoing	Standards and Curriculum		None	None
Mrs Charlotte Robson - Deputy Headteacher	Co-opted Governor	19/09/2019-18/09/2023	Curriculum & Online Safety		Also a staff member of the school	None
Mr Joseph Welsh	Co-opted Governor	18/03/2016 - 17/03/2020	Finance, Premises & Personnel	Health & Safety	Also a staff member of the school	None
Ms Joanne Metcalf	Parent Governor	21/3/2018 - 20/03/2022	Curriculum & Online Safety	Computing/Online Safety	None	None
Mrs Deborah Charlton	Co-opted Governor	19/09/2019 - 18/09/2023	Finance, Premises & Personnel First/Pay Review	Well-being	None	None
Mrs Jayne Gibson	Co-opted Governor	19/09/2019 - 18/09/2023	Finance, Premises & Personnel First/Pay Review Pupil Discipline	Safeguarding Child Protection Looked After Children SEND	None	None
Ms Kaye Hodgson	Staff Governor	19/09/2023 - 18/09/2023	Curriculum & Online Safety		Also a staff member at Federated School	None
Mrs Sarah-Jane Sedgwick	Parent Governor	19/09/2019 - 18/09/2023	Appeals Curriculum & Online Safety	Early Years	None	None
Mr Derek Hindmarch	Co-opted Governor	10/07/2017-10/07/2021		Geography	None	None

Statutory Guidance for Governing Bodies

New Brancepeth Primary School adhere to the statutory guidance from the Department for Education. This means that governing bodies must have regard to it when carrying out duties relating to the constitution of governing bodies in maintained schools. For further information about our Governors, please view or download the documents below:

The Constitution of Governing Bodies of Maintained Schools (2017)

How To Become A School Governor

If you require further information on the roles and responsibilities of School Governors or you are interested in becoming one, visit the Durham County Council website School Governor section.

Governor Attendance

Schools are required to display a record of Governor attendance at meetings for each school academic year.

Name	FGB Meeting 19/09/19	Finance, Premises & Personnel 17/10/19	Curriculum & Online Safety Committee 22/10/19	FGB Meeting 03/12/19	Finance, Premises & Personnel 21/01/20	Curriculum & Online Safety 29/01/20	FGB Meeting 07/02/20	First Committee Meeting 12/03/20	FGB Meeting 14/5/20	Extraordinary Meeting 20/05/20	Extraordinary Meeting 05/06/20	Extraordinary Meeting 12/06/20	Extraordinary Meeting 19/06/20
A Moore	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	n/a	✓	✓	✓	✓	n/a
Ms M Newton	✓	✓	n/a	✓	✓	n/a	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓
Cllr D Hicks	A/A	✓	n/a	✓	A/A	n/a	A/A	n/a	A/A	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a
Mr D Grimes	✓	n/a	✓	A/A	n/a	A/A	A/A	n/a	✓	✓	n/a	n/a	n/a
Cllr D Bell	A/A	n/a	n/a	✓	n/a	n/a	✓	n/a	✓	✓	n/a	✓	✓
Mrs H L Templeton (Head Teacher)	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓
Mrs C Robson (Staff governor)	✓	n/a	✓	✓	n/a	✓	✓	n/a	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓
Mr J Welsh	✓	✓	n/a	✓	✓	n/a	✓	n/a	✓	n/a	n/a	n/a	✓
Miss J Metcalfe	n/a	n/a	n/a	✓	n/a	✓	A/A	n/a	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓
Mrs D Charlton	✓	✓	n/a	A/A	✓	n/a	A/A	✓	✓	✓	n/a	✓	n/a
Mrs J Gibson	✓	✓	n/a	✓	✓	n/a	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	n/a	n/a
Ms K Hodgson	✓	n/a	✓	✓	n/a	✓	✓	n/a	✓	✓	✓	✓	n/a
Mrs S Hatch	A/A	n/a	✓	A/A	n/a	A/A	✓	n/a	A/A	✓	n/a	n/a	n/a
Mr D Hindmarch	A/A	n/a	n/a	A/A	n/a	n/a	A/A	n/a	✓	✓	✓	n/a	n/a

Archived Attendance
You can view our archived attendance on our website.

Committee Terms of Reference

Full Governing Body Meeting

CHAIR: Mrs A Moore

VICE CHAIR: Miss M Newton

Terms of Reference:

Strategic Leadership and Accountability:

In collaboration with school leaders determine a clear and explicit vision for the future. Ensure this is communicated to the whole organisation.
Set strong and clear values and ensure these are embedded across the organisation and adhered to.
Determine the strategic direction for the Federation.
Monitor and evaluate pupil progress and attainment by receiving reports and information from the Headteacher and other school leaders; compare against national and local benchmarks over time.
Receive reports from committees, working parties or individuals and agree actions.
Approve the SEF’s and monitor throughout the year.
Approve the School Improvement Plans for the individual schools agree priorities and monitor throughout the year progress towards agreed actions.
Ensure there is a transparent system for performance management of all staff which is clearly linked to each schools’ priorities. Have oversight of staff performance throughout the year.
Ensure there are mechanisms in place to listen to and respond to the views of parents/carers, pupils, staff, local communities and employers.
Agree recruitment process to be followed in relation to Senior Leader posts; where delegated ratify appointments.
Final approval of the annual budget plans.
Monitor the individual school budgets throughout the year.
Agree virement and expenditure limits for the Headteacher.
Hold at least 3 meetings each academic year. Ensure that committee meetings are held in accordance with the agreed terms of reference.

People and Structures:

Elect and/or remove Chair of Governors and Vice Chair of Governors.
Appoint Committee Chairs or delegate to each committee.
Consider and agree delegation of functions to individuals or committees.
Agree committee terms of reference and membership.
Establish a register of Governors business interests.
Ensure Governors information on the Get Information About Schools (GIAS) register and the school website is up to date and compliant with current requirements.
Confirm the Instrument of Government and subsequent amendments.
Appoint Co-opted, Local Authority and where necessary Parent Governors to the Board.
Review and monitor the Governor Induction Process.
Have regard for Governors professional development.
Where necessary, suspend or remove Governors from the Board.
Appoint/dismiss the Clerk to the Governing Body.

Compliance and Evaluation:

Consider business provided by Local Authority and other sources
Suspend or end suspension of staff members.
Ensure all statutory policies are in place and there is an effective policy review cycle.
Review and agree the Governor Code of Conduct.
Confirm arrangements for completion of a Governor Skills Audit.
Ensure there is regular self-evaluation and review of individual’s contribution to the Board as well as the Board’s overall operation and effectiveness.
As necessary, consider an external review of the Board’s effectiveness.
Ensure the website of each school is up to date and compliant with current DfE requirements.

Finance, Premises and Personnel Committee Terms of Reference

CHAIR: Mrs J Gibson

Terms of Reference:

Elect Chair (if delegated by full Governing Body).

Finance:

In conjunction with the Headteacher to draft and propose the first formal budget plan of the financial year for each school for approval by the full Governing Body.
Establish and maintain an up-to-date three year financial plan, taking into account priorities in the School Improvement Plans, roll projection and signals from central government and the LA regarding future years’ budget.
Ensure that priorities detailed within the School Improvement Plans are appropriately costed and are reflected in the annual budgets.
Monitor the budget position statement for each school to identify and address any anomalies from the anticipated position and report termly to the full Governing Body.
Review and monitor outstanding debts and action taken.
Review and monitor Direct School Meals Provision by income and expenditure statements.
Review the year end out-turn reports.
Monitor and approve virements and expenditure over the Headteacher’s delegated limit.
Appraise and approve spending decisions where competitive quotations or tenders are required.
Ensure the school operates within the financial regulations of the Local Authority and the requirements of the DfE Schools Financial Value Standard (SFVS).
Approve annually the Schools Financial Value Standard (SFVS) submissions prior to the 31 March deadline and monitor the implementation of any identified actions.
Monitor expenditure of all voluntary funds held on behalf of the Governing Body by review of an audited annual statements of income and expenditure.
Annually review the outcomes of the asset registers stock checks and approve the disposal of obsolete items.
Ensure appropriate use of the Early Years Premium, Pupil Premium and Sports Premium.
Review and monitor the school websites to ensure that they are accessible and fully compliant with current DfE requirements.
Review and monitor all financial policies including lettings, charging and remissions and expenses policies.
Consider and promote income generation.
Annually review income generated from contracts and lettings; oversee the use of premises by outside users.
Where necessary, monitor and review Wrap Around Care provision including review of annual income and expenditure statements where applicable.
Ensure all appropriate insurances are in place.
Annually review and approve the school’s Financial Procedures Manual.
Monitor service level agreements annually and make decisions in respect of service level agreements ensuring value for money.
Make decisions on expenditure following recommendations from other committees.
Ensure pay decisions can be appropriately funded.
Ensure as far as is practical that health and safety issues are appropriately funded in accordance with agreed priorities.
Annually review financial bench-marking data.
Monitor the implementation of actions arising from the Internal Audit report or of a financial nature from other inspection regime reports.
Ensure appropriate systems and procedures are in place to detect and prevent fraud and ensure any instances of fraud are reported immediately.

Premises:

Establish, review and monitor the Health and Safety Policies ensuring that the schools meet health and safety requirements.
Ensure actions are taken in respect of relevant health and safety legislation.
Ensure that premises and the learning environments are maintained and are fit for purpose.
Provide support and guidance for the Headteacher and Governing Body on all matters relating to the maintenance and development of the premises and grounds, including health and safety.
Ensure that an annual inspection of the premises and grounds is undertaken and a report received identifying any issues. Inform the Governing Body of the report and set out a proposed order of priorities for maintenance and development for the approval of the Governing Body.
Ensure professional surveys and emergency works are arranged as necessary.
Oversee the use of premises by outside users.
Establish and keep under review an Accessibility Plan and an Asset Management/Building Development Plan.
Monitor data on accidents and incidents.

Personnel

Carry out an annual review of the staffing structure in consultation with the Headteacher.
Ensure the Federation is sufficiently staffed to fulfil the effective operation of the schools and the School Improvement Plan (SIP).
Oversee the recruitment and selection procedures for all staff
Develop and review policies identified within the Federation policy review programme and in accordance with its delegated powers (e.g. Appraisal, Whistle-blowing, Recruitment and Selection).
Keep under review work/life balance, working conditions and well-being including monitoring attendance management.
Review the Single Central Records to ensure compliance with current statutory guidance.
Approve the Staff Code of Conduct and ensure all staff are aware.

MEETINGS: at least termly

QUORUM: 3

DISQUALIFICATIONS: where there may be a conflict of or a pecuniary interest

VIREMENT and EXPENDITURE LIMITS

Virement Limits		Expenditure Limits
Limit set for Headteacher without prior written approval of Chair or Governing Body	£5000	Any items of expenditure up to	£5000
Limit set for Headteacher with approval from Chair of Governors	£5000-£10,000	Above this limit if item was previously notified to the Governing Body. Prior Finance Committee or Governing body approval (whichever is the soonest) to be sought outside of this limit and reported at the earliest opportunity.
Prior Finance Committee or Governing Body approval (whichever is the soonest) to be sought outside of this limit and reported at the earliest opportunity.

NB Any goods/services purchased and works to be carried out are subject to Durham County Council Contract Procedures Rules (January 2014) for quotations i.e. quotations or tenders to be invited from capable contractors based on the likely value of the procurement over its lifetime:

Between £500 and £5000 at least one quotation
Between £5001 and £50,000 at least three quotations
Over £50,000 full tender exercise

Delegation to the Headteacher

School Staffing (England) Regulations 2009

The Governing Body can delegate the power to appoint outside the leadership group to:

One or more Governors and the Headteacher

Appointments:

Governing Body delegates to the Headteacher and one or more Governors responsibility for the appointment of:

Permanent teaching staff posts
Permanent support staff posts
Temporary staff

Dismissals:

Governing Body delegates to the Headteacher responsibility up to and including first written warning / first and final written warning

No delegation for dismissals (to be dealt with by the First/Pay Review Committee).

Headteacher’s Performance Review Terms of Reference

Lead Governor: Mrs A Moore

Terms of Reference:

Set, with the support of the External Advisor (EA) or Education Development Partner (EDP) Headteacher’s annual performance objectives.
Monitor throughout the year the performance of the Headteacher against agreed performance objectives.
Review, with the support of the External Advisor (EA) or Education Development Partner (EDP) achievement of performance objectives.
Make recommendations to the First/Pay Review Committee in respect of the Headteacher’s annual pay progression.

MEETINGS: Autumn Term plus monitoring meetings

DISQUALIFICATIONS: Headteacher and staff

Curriculum, Standards and Online Safety Committee Terms of Reference

CHAIR: Mr D Grimes
Terms of reference:

Elect Chair (if delegated by full Governing Body).

Curriculum Planning and Delivery:

Review, monitor and evaluate the curriculum offer across the federation.
Contribute to the development and monitoring of the:
Self Evaluation forms
School Improvement Plans
Targets for school improvement
Develop and review policies identified within the Federation’s policy review programme and in accordance with its delegated powers (e.g. sex education and pupil discipline/behaviour).
Ensure that the Federation policy on SEND is consistent with the Code of Practice and Equalities Act and receive termly reports from the Headteacher/SENDCo and an annual report from the SEND Governor.
Ensure the SEND Policy is monitored and reviewed regularly and that the policy is known to parents/carers.
Ensure the Federation complies with the provisions of the Equalities Act 2010.
Monitor the e-safety policy and ensure the provision of the e-safety curriculum
To monitor the log of reported e-safety incidents to inform future areas of teaching, learning and training.

Assessment and Improvement:

Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of leadership and management.
Monitor and evaluate the quality of teaching and learning and the impact on rates of pupils progress and standards of achievement
Monitor and evaluate the impact of continuing professional development on improving staff performance.
Receive pupil progress and achievement data; monitor and evaluate rates of progress and standards of achievement against agreed targets for all pupils and for all groups of pupils.
Monitor and evaluate provision for all groups of vulnerable children e.g. looked after children and ensure all their needs have been identified and addressed.
Monitor and review pupil attendance data against attendance targets.
Monitor and review pupil exclusion information.
Set priorities for improvement and monitor and evaluate the impact of improvement plans which relate to the committee’s area of operation.
Regularly review the Assessment Policy and ensure that the policy is operating effectively.
Ensure the school is fulfilling its responsibilities regarding child protection and the requirements of ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education’
Receive reports from external sources and agree actions to address recommendations; monitor and evaluate progress made.
Ensure all children have equal opportunities.
Ensure Safeguarding policies are adhered to; monitor and review all safeguarding policies/procedures within Federation.
Advise the Finance and Premises Committee on the relative funding priorities necessary to deliver the curriculum.
Monitor pupils’ attitudes, values and development of other personal qualities within the school through the provision of R.E. and PSHE. Ensure parents are informed of the right to withdraw their child.

Engagement:

Monitor the Federation’s publicity, public presentation and relationships with parents/carers and the wider community.
Identify and celebrate pupil achievements.
Oversee and monitor arrangements for out of hours provision, extra-curricular activities and educational visits including overnight stays.
Ensure that adequate provision is made for pupil transition.
Ensure all statutory requirements for reporting and publishing information are met.
Review and monitor the school’s website to ensure that it is accessible and fully compliant with current DfE requirements.
Ensure the schools work well with their individual communities, parents and other schools.

MEETINGS: at least termly

QUORUM: 3

DISQUALIFICATIONS: None

First / Pay Review Committee Terms of Reference

CHAIR: Mr M Newton
Terms of Reference:

Elect Chair (if delegated by full Governing Body).
Annually agree the Teachers’ Pay Policy.
Act in accordance with the Teachers’ Pay Policy when carrying out the annual review of teachers’ salaries.
Report to the Finance and Premises Committee on pay review related expenditure.
Consider any requests made in accordance with personnel policies e.g. flexible working, leave of absence etc. (unless delegated to the Headteacher).
Make any decisions under the personnel procedures adopted by the Governing Body e.g. disciplinary, grievance, ill-health, capability etc. (Unless delegated to the Headteacher).
Deal with matters relating to staffing reductions.

Meetings: at least annually.

QUORUM: 3

Disqualifications: Headteacher; Chair of Governors (if have prior knowledge); where there may be a conflict of interest; any Governor whose spouse/partner is involved; staff (annual pay review and matters relating to staffing reductions).

Appeals Committee

CHAIR:
Terms of Reference:

Elect Chair (if delegated by full Governing Body).
Consider any appeal against a decision made under the personnel procedures adopted by the Governing Body.
Consider any appeal against a decision made by the First/Pay Review Committee during the annual review of teachers’ salaries.
Consider any appeal against selection for redundancy through a staffing reduction process.
Consider complaints against the school in accordance with the agreed school Complaints Procedure.

Meetings: as and when required.

Quorum: Must have at least the same number of Governors as were present at the original hearing.

Disqualifications: Headteacher; Chair of Governors (if have prior knowledge); any Governor involved in the original hearing; where there may be a conflict of interest; any Governor whose spouse/partner is involved; staff (appeals in relation to salary or staffing reduction decisions)

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