St Gabriel's C.E. Middleton
School Governors
Welcome to the section of the website where you can find out more about the school’s governors, and the work that we do.
Our main role is to support the Headteacher 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 Development Plan (SDP) and the Self Evaluation Form (SEF). The SDP sets out a three year strategic plan for the school, with targets that everyone works towards and the SEF sets out how well the school is doing and where we aim to make improvements.
Our legal duties include:-
* Setting strategic direction, policies and objectives
* Approving the school budget
* Reviewing progress against the school’s budget and objectives
* appointing, challenging and supporting the Headteacher
The Governing Body meets at least once every (new) term. We sometimes set up committees or working groups to look at particular issues (such as pay, performance management, buildings development). A small group (Headteacher, Governor responsible for Finance and the School Budget Officer) meet more regularly to keep an eye on school finances between our termly governor meetings. All governors are informed about what happens at these monthly finance meetings.
We may, if necessary, hold extraordinary meetings of either the full governing obdy or one tof the committees. These occur when a matter arises that needs to be dealt with before the next scheduled meeting. These meetings are rare. It is also the role of the Governors to head appeals, by staff or parents against decisions made by the Headteacher or Senior Management team members. A Committee is convened, made up of three non-staff members. First instance complaints are heard by the Chair of Governors. The Chair of Governors and the Headteacher have certain delegated powers that enable them to make decisions on behalf of the Governing Body. These decisions will be reported to Governors at the termly meeting. The Chair and Headteacher meet frequently to discuss any issues arising.
There are several categories of governor, appointed by different groups that have an interest in the school. Governors can be appointed by the local authority and St. Gabriel's Church, also elected by staff and parents or co-opted. We also have Associate Governors who have expressed an interest but are not eligible to be full governors. All governors have equal status.
Janet Bailey is our school representative on the Governor Forum.
We are committed to providing an excellent environment for all pupils to enjoy during their time at our school.
The DCSF Governor’s Guide to the Law, outlines governors’ responsibilities in detail.
Our Governing Body consists of:
If you wish to know more, or are interested in becoming a governor, please contact us care of the School office or email us at office@stgabrielsce.rochdale.sch.uk. 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 into school to meet with the Headteacher, other members of staff and pupils to help us find out how the school is progressing towards its targets. We currently do not have any vacancies within our Governing Body however the website will be updated should a vacancy arise.