Growing and learning together to be our best, inspired by Jesus’ love.
What we do
Governors play an important and privileged role in the life of the school.
We have three key roles defined by the Department for Education. These are to:
- ensure clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction;
- hold the Headteacher to account for the educational performance of the school and its pupils and the performance management of staff;
- oversee the financial performance of the school and make sure its money is well spent.
It is also important to us that we communicate with stakeholders: pupils, staff and the wider community.
We support the school as ‘critical friends’ by providing a challenge across all its work. This covers the all important quality of education with a strong emphasis on literacy as well as nurturing oral fluency including drama and debate; behaviours and attitudes including new work on relationships and sex education and anti-racism as well as supporting charities; personal development for pupils and staff including all aspects of wellbeing and supporting the Headteacher and her leadership team; and the new Early Years Framework which was introduced in September 2021. Finally we have an important job overseeing the school’s financial arrangements including funding and procurement.
We make monitoring visits to the school in order to engage with staff and pupils in order to verify and support initiatives to improve the school’s work.
The Full Governing Body meets at least once each term. Minutes are available on this website (minutes) . It is supported by committees and groups (Admission, Curriculum & Standards; Finance & Staffing; Leadership Appraisal; Safety & Community; and Ethos) which also meet each term.
In everything we do we are concerned about the safety of pupils and staff and in promoting an ethos which is consistent with the school motto: Conemur – may we try together – striving to be our best, for ourselves, our community and our world. (See our vision and values).
Who we are
There are 14 governors (see here for who we are). The Chair and Vice Chair are elected annually. Governors are nominated or elected by staff, parents, the Church Foundation, Local Authority or diocese. Associate Members can be appointed by the Governing Body. Not all governors are parents. There is a comprehensive training provision for governors which enables them to engage with the whole range of activities involved in managing a school. It also helps governors to develop personally and to gain added satisfaction from their work with the school.
Becoming a school governor
We are often looking for new people to join the Governing Body. If you are interested in the role, please have a look at the FAQs: why become a school governor 2022?
We welcome applications from all backgrounds. As a Governing Body we are committed to inclusion and diversity in everything we do and we recognise that this is critical in undertaking our role and achieving our aims.
If you would like to learn more, please contact the Chair of Governors at governors@st-marys.richmond.sch.uk
And finally…
An inspirational aim for us is what our Year 6 leavers will take away with them when they leave the school. This will be different for each child, but we strive for them to be:
- clear about the meaning and significance of faith in their lives;
- understanding and compassionate;
- collectively above the national average academically;
- passionate about learning
- experienced and understanding of diversity;
- unafraid of making mistakes;
- confident and resilient – not giving up easily – but reflective;
- healthy and well prepared for the social pressures off the next stage of their lives.
