Governor Information

SUNNYMEDE PRIMARY SCHOOL

GOVERNING BOARD INFORMATION 2024/25

Sunnymede Primary School is a maintained foundation school created in 2023 by the amalgamation of Sunnymede Infants and Sunnymede Junior School.

The Sunnymede Governing Body consists of 14 individuals appointed by the Board or elected in the case of Staff and Parent Governors.  Sunnymede’s Instrument of Governance, decrees that the Governing board will be made up of the following: Headteacher (ex officio); 1 staff governor; 4 Parent governors; 5 Co-opted governors; 2 foundation governors; 1 Local Authority governor.

The Function of the Governing Body (Maintained School’s Governance Guide (2024) includes but is not limited to ensuring:

•        that the vision, ethos and strategic direction of the school are clearly defined

•        that the headteacher performs their responsibilities for the educational performance of the school

•        the sound, proper and effective use of the school’s financial resources

To do this effectively, the full Governing Body meets formally twice per term to discuss whole school issues. In addition, governors are members of committees, such as the Staff Pay Committee, Headteacher's PMR Committee, Pupil Discipline Committee, Staff Discipline and Dismissal Committee and Staff Discipline Appeals Committee. 

In preparation for meetings, governors are required to read and review a range of school documents, reports and policies, as well as statutory guidance.  

Governors are also required to attend training sessions to help them to develop within their role.

A key element of a governor's role​ is to visit the school in a monitoring capacity and there is an expectation that they visit at least once per term with a clear focus on monitoring against the school's current priorities. Visits may focus on particular curriculum subjects or aspects of learning or on wider school leadership and management themes e.g. financial management, health and safety, safeguarding, pupil premium provision, behaviour. staff recruitment, SEND, pupil and staff wellbeing etc. This allows them to gather evidence to ensure the school is complying with its statutory duties. Visits are also an opportunity for governors to get to know staff and pupils and see how the school's vision and values manifest themselves in the daily life of the school.

CONTACT DETAILS FOR THE CHAIR OF GOVERNORS

The Chair of Governors can be contacted via the school’s main email address: admin@sunnymede.essex.sch.uk