Governors Introduction Part Three

WELCOME

Accountability

Accountability

Governors Introduction Part Two

Accountability has two elements that governors need to be aware of:

Accountable For? – School Improvement

Accountable To? – School Community

Statement

Governors Introduction Part Two

“Schools are subject to sharper accountability for pupil outcomes. And, as a result, governors have a much greater role to ensure that a strategic direction is set by the headteacher to deliver good results”.

“Ofsted is now reporting on governance in much greater depth. Every section 5 report now includes a separate paragraph on the quality of governance”.

Raising standards, improving livesNew Inspection Framework

Governor Role is changing and continues to

change

Governors need a robust process and framework for setting priorities, creating accountability and monitoring progress.

Raising standards, improving lives What does an inspection look like?

Inspection activities will always include discussion with:

a representative of the LA, academy chain or other responsible body (now a requirement)

Governors – as many as possible staff – which may include support and admin.

staff pupils – who may be asked to bring examples

of work where manageable, parents/carers leadership & management at all levels.

Raising standards, improving lives What does this mean for us?

They will put a greater emphasis on whether governors are:

supporting and challenging leaders holding schools to account. Measuring IMPACT and how we

communicate this (Accountability) If a school is judged to require improvement and is

graded 3 for leadership and management

HMI will recommend an external review of governance.

Raising standards, improving lives

Inspectors will consider whether governors are

discharging their ACCOUNTABILIY:

ensure clarity of vision, ethos & strategic direction

understand the strengths and weaknesses of the school - including the impact of teaching on achievement

challenge as well as support the school’s leadership

Overseeing the financial performance of the school and making sure its money is well spent

Raising standards, improving lives What will they look for?

What contribution do you make to school improvement planning? – IMPACT

How well informed and evaluative are you about the role and IMPACT of each SLT member?

How well informed and evaluative are you about the role and IMPACT of middle leaders?

How closely do you monitor the scope, cost and IMPACT of staff CPD?

What documentation will we need to monitor the above?

Raising standards, improving lives

Inspectors will consider whether governors are:

rigorously monitor the impact of teaching on achievement

evaluate the schools’ performance management

understand and rigorously interrogate school data

have an accurate view of the performance of different groups of pupils - and the effectiveness of the school’s response.

What documentation will we need to monitor the above?

Raising standards, improving lives Under the new inspection framework

Inspectors will also consider:

check whether the governing body is ensuring the school’s finances are properly managed

investigate governors’ role in deciding how the school uses the Pupil Premium.

Raising standards, improving livesWhat does ACCOUNTABILIY look like

How involved are you in decisions about the teaching, curriculum and resourcing elements of the annual budget?

What questions do you ask about staffing needs?

What criteria do you apply when evaluating budget proposals?

What questions do you ask about the school’s decisions as to how and for whom the Pupil Premium is used?

How do you determine whether it has been well used?

In the best schools inspectors found governors were very well informed

Showing your accountability

Governors Introduction Part Three

Showing your accountability

Website Statutory Guidance

Newsletter

Minutes

Parent communication

Statutory Policies

The School Prospectus

Published Complaints Procedure/Safeguarding Policy

Governors Introduction Part Three

Governors Introduction Part Three

To ensure children get the best outcomes. Schools must show parents, auditors and regulators that they are achieving value for money.

Schools have a delegated budget to cover salaries, running costs, maintenance and equipment.

The Governing Body is responsible for managing this budget or Committees

Functions of Budget

Governors Introduction Part Three

Governing bodies are responsible for making sure their school’s money is well spent. They should do this by ensuring they have at least one governor with specific, relevant skills and experience of financial matters who can raise questions such as:

Are we allocating our resources in line with our strategic priorities?

Are we making full use of all our assets and efficient use of all our financial resources?

Are other schools buying things cheaper or getting better results with less spending per pupil?

How can we get better value for money from our budget?

Overseeing financial performance

Governors Introduction Part Three

FEEDS SDP NEXT THREE YEARS

CLEAR LINK BETWEEN SDP AND BUDGET

REVIEW MAIN ELEMENTS OF BUDGET PERIODICALLY

BALANCE CONTROL MECHANISMProcurementCheck the checker Value for money

Review of functions of budget

Governors Introduction Part Three

The Budget LA BudgetThe School Budget Share from your LA covers the majority of your budget for all pupils aged 3-16. This is your core budget.

GrantsYour school may receive funds or grants from the government to support specific initiatives and strategies

Other incomeOther income is income derived from a variety of sources, and may include:

- income from lettings - contributions from parents - parental fundraising - sponsorship

Governors Introduction Part Three

Dedicated Schools Grant

Governors Introduction Part Three

Possible Funding

Governors Introduction Part Three

Compare

The department provides a range of financial information about maintained schools and academies. Governors can use this information to compare spending against that of similar schools. Benchmarking financial information in this way helps governors to question whether resources could be used more efficiently.

Examples:•If the cost of energy seems high compared to similar schools, are there opportunities for investment in energy-saving devices to reduce the cost?• •If spend on learning resources seems high compared to similar schools, are there opportunities for collaborating with other local schools to bring costs down?

Governors Introduction Part Three

Quiz