Welcome to the section of the website where you can find out more about the school’s Governors, and the work that we do.
You can email the governors: admin@highwoodsprimary.com. Any emails will be forwarded directly to the Governing Body.
‘All Leaders, including Governors have a relentless focus on maintaining and building on established high standards’. Essex Advisor report autumn 2023
Our main role is to support the Head Teacher and the staff – the phrase often used to describe this role is a ‘critical friend’. We help them to set and reach targets and to strive for excellence across the whole spectrum of school life. The two key documents used for this are the School Improvement Plan (SIP) and the Self Evaluation Form (SEF). The SIP sets out a two year strategic plan for the school, with ambitions that everyone works towards and the SEF sets out how well the school is doing.
Our legal duties include:-
- Setting strategic direction, policies and objectives
- Approving the school budget
- Reviewing progress against the school’s budget objectives
- Appointing, challenging and supporting the Head Teacher
The Governing Body meets at least once a term. We also set up committees and working groups to look at particular issues. Each Governor takes on a role of responsibility e.g. Health and Wellbeing, Mathemetics, English, as well as being involved in Chairing or attending various committees e.g. Curriculum and Pupil Related Matters, Finance & Premises and Personnel.
There are several categories of Governor, appointed by different groups that have an interest in the school. These are Community Governors, the Local Authority (LA) and Parents. All Governors have equal status, however they are appointed.
We are committed to providing an excellent environment for all pupils to enjoy during their time at our school.
Our Governing Body meetings are usually held in the evening. We attend training sessions and seminars to help us keep up to date with changes in schools and education and to help us do our job effectively. We also go to school to meet with the Head Teacher, other members of staff and pupils to help us find out how the school is progressing towards its targets.