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GovernorsThe school is run by the headteacher and staff with the assistance of a board of governors. Some are appointed by county and parish councils, others are elected by parents and staff, some are co-opted. The headteacher is also a governor. We are all local people with a strong interest in the well-being of the school. Our aim is to maintain the quality of the education provided for the benefit of the pupils and the whole community. The Governors of Blackawton, East Allington and Stoke Fleming Primary Schools are considering working more closely together by forming a Federation. This is an important change to the way the school is run - please see the details below. What we do Who we are Federation - consultation with parents Chair's review, 23rd October 2009 Governors meetings and reports School policies What we doThe school is managed by the headteacher and run by the staff. Our role is to:* develop and maintain policies and strategies to promote high standards, * ensure that the school is held accountable for its work and the results achieved, * act as a critical friend to the school and its headteacher, * take general responsibility for the conduct of the school. The governors meet twice a term. An annual meeting with parents and friends is held each year; this year it will be at the end of the Summer term. We have Committees for Curriculum, Finance and Buildings and Performance Management and there are governors with special responsibility for each major aspect of the school. We visit the school regularly and take part in management meetings, training sessions and school activities. An important aspect of our work is to act as a link between the school and parents and the community. Who we areBarrie Taylor Chair, parent governor Dave Strudwick headteacher email davestrudwick@blackawton-primary.devon.sch.uk Bartholomew Dudley parent governor Tony Everett community governor Nik Green parent governor Keith Grey Vice-chair, LEA governor Beau Lotto LEA governor Lora McMahon teacher Ann Unitt community governor The clerk to the governors is Helen Perry email helenperry@blackawton-primary.devon.sch.uk The governors would welcome enquiries about any aspect of the school. Please contact the clerk to the governors or telephone the school: 01803 712363. The Governors of Blackawton, East Allington and Stoke Fleming Primary Schools are considering working more closely together by forming a Federation. In a Federation each school very much retains its unique ethos and character and its distinct sense of local community. Each school also retains its own budget, performance tables and undergoes separate inspections. A Federation is often used to describe a family of schools working closely together to improve teaching and learning together with children's experiences and educational achievements. This proposed Federation involves three Community Schools and each will maintain and develop its own ethos and distinctiveness whilst benefiting from the advantages of several schools working together. This letter outlines how parents and carers can get involved and share their views on our schools working together in a Federation. The letter explains the benefits of federation and how it will work. It explains the consultation process and how you can make your views known. The closing date for responses is 21st April 2010. All parents and carers should ensure that they read this letter and are aware of the consultation process. All information regarding the consultation will be posted on a shared website at http://www.our-school.org.uk. from Barrie Taylor, Chair of Governors It has been a little over a year since I became chair of governors and I thought it was time to review that and look at what we have achieved. Being a governor Being a governor is both rewarding and challenging. There is a great deal to learn and being chair involves quite a commitment of time - it has certainly opened my eyes to what it takes to run a school. Also it has been really great to see the school from another angle and be part of the school, in what to me is potentially a very supportive and creative position. I see the role of governor as being a part of the process that ensures our children achieve to the best of their potential at school, whilst also enjoying their time there and gaining in a whole range of other essential areas - such as playing and socialising with others, keeping fit and healthy, caring for the environment etc. Personally I think the teachers at school are brilliant at bringing all these other elements into the classroom quite naturally - and often incorporated into the curriculum in classes (for example working in pairs whilst problem solving in maths promotes sharing and paired working skills). This has been further supported by the schools use of SEAL (Social and Emotional Aspects of Learning) - this is part of a national scheme which initially involved over 500 schools - you can find out more about this on the dcsf website at http://nationalstrategies.standards.dcsf.gov.uk/node/87009. Its so great to have so many parents step up as potential governors, and I have had really positive conversations with lots of parents around this - one comment that sticks in my mind went something like "I have seen this school going from strength to strength and I want to play a part in that". School Evaluation We have just been through (and ongoingly go through) a process known as SEF (School Evaluation Form). This is a rigorous process of self-examination which is then also minutely examined by an independent (local Authority) auditor - in our instance an ex teacher who has also worked for OFSTED. The form that the school's evaluation is completed on has undergoing some changes as has the framework that schools are inspected by (OFSTED) - The school is getting support to ensure we do well with these new areas and understand those changes. The principal of SEF is that it mirrors the evaluation schedule used by inspectors and perhaps most importantly helps us identify any areas where we could have capacity to improve. We have achieved 'good' in all areas of the SEF, which is a tremendous achievement for the school, and a real confirmation both of the skills of all the staff and the processes that have been brought in over recent years by Dave Strudwick. We are now looking to get good judgements in the new OFSTED framework with its increased expectations. This has been a core element of preparation in the school for our next OFSTED inspection, which will be during the coming academic year. I would like to also make the point that this involves a really tremendous amount of work particularly by the senior management (Dave and Christine). This has been combined with the school SIP (school improvement Plan) that has also recently been recreated. We will shortly be receiving our data, which I am expecting to show the continued improvement that has been the trend of the last few years, which has also been a real measure of the success of our school. Support, volunteers and workers There is an amazing band of people who contribute to the school in a wide array of ways - from fundraising and advice and guidance to building, plumbing and landscape work. I would like to personally say thanks to all of these people and encourage everyone to acknowledge the efforts of others wherever we get the opportunity. A number of people come to mind who have contributed in recent times such as Damon Hunt, Gary Harding, Simon Blair, Mr Foss (Ann's husband I forget his first name), Tal Polak, Dave Roberts and a great many others - I am aware I don't know everyone's contributions. Also I would like to especially thank Ali Coles, Claire Williams, Sarah Hackford and the whole FOBS team for everything they have done and the great energy they have brought to fundraising and school events. Some people are paid for work at the school - we do have a policy of supporting local business - however we also ensure value for money and have to get competing quotations for larger works. I am clear that everyone who works at the school has done so for very limited reward - in fact it is often virtually a donation or even for free. Despite that, the quality of the work has been tremendous and there have been some really great improvements all round the school. Clubs We are lucky to have so many clubs available and they seem to be very well subscribed. Again in the area of acknowledgment I would like to thank especially Tina Rodwell Lyn (dance and choir), Karen Robbin (football), Jim Tregaskis and Mark Le Messurier (table tennis), Martin Holland (when he is able to make it) Sue and Kate (Band). For myself I get involved in table tennis and the band. Voluntary contributions for the band and table tennis help towards sundry expenses such as instruments, table tennis balls and nets - we suggest £1.50 per band session and £1 for table tennis. We have been very fortunate with donations - two table tennis tables have been kindly donated by Vicky Maxwell (previous chair of governors), and Ali and Mark Leetham. People who run clubs do so voluntarily, with the occasional exception of curriculum items such as music and foreign languages, which have been partly supported from school funds. Finally I have had the good fortune to visit a great number of Primary Schools in Devon through my work - around 75 now I believe - and I can say two things are quite clear to me. Firstly, Primary Education generally is in great shape and has come forward incredibly since my own experience (in a rural school of around 35 pupils in Wiltshire in the late 60's early 70's). This is particularly in relation to the range of learning and facilities, the level of support for individuals that is available, and the sheer expertise of teachers and teaching assistants. Secondly it is that our own school here in Blackawton is right at the forefront - the cutting edge even - of all of that change, whilst retaining a totally unique character and quality that I cherish, and in a community that is endlessly giving and supportive of the school. I am extremely happy that our son is at Blackawton Primary School. If anyone has any concerns or contributions they feel they can make to the school please feel free to contact me on 01803 732348 or by email at baznpol@btinternet.com. Stop press - Yesterday I bumped into an ex Blackawton parent (of three children) who asked me how the school was, and then went on to say how well Blackawton children are doing in KEVICCs - in year eight there, every single ex-Blackawton pupil is in the top group for science. Have a great half term. Governors meetings are open to the public and you are welcome to attend if you wish. Our next meeting is on Monday 22nd March 2010 at 4.30pm. If you would like to know more, contact the Chair or the school. Here are the minutes of our recent meetings: February 2010 November 2009 June 2009 April 2009 March 2009 February 2009 Our School Profile which has now replaced the Annual Report and Annual General Meeting with parents can be viewed via www.parentscentre.gov.uk or requested from the school as a paper copy. For more information . . . look at the notice board in the front porch of the school. School policiesThe governors agree policies to guide the headteacher and staff on all aspects of how the school is run. These are based on guidance from the government and Devon County Council, the views of staff and parents and the governor's own ideas of how the school should be run.Policies are reviewed regularly and revised when necessary. As each policy is reviewed it will be published on this website. Follow the links below to see the policies which have been published so far. If you would like to see any other policies, please contact Helen Perry, the clerk to the governors, or telephone the school: 01803 712363. | ||||||||||
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