Our Governors

Marsh Lane Primary School aims to provide a happy, secure and stimulating environment where children are motivated to learn, are valued as individuals and encouraged to reach their full potential. This is personified in our school motto – “Believe, Achieve, Succeed, Dream”

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Governance Arrangements

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The Governing Board of Marsh Lane Primary School consists of the following members: -

• The Headteacher

• Two staff governors (appointed by the staff at the school)

• Three parent governors (elected by the parents of the children) - One current vacancy

• One local authority governor (proposed by the local education authority and approved by the Governing Board)

•  Six co-opted governors (appointed by the Governing Board) - Three current vacancies

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The term of office for each governor is three years after which time they may stand for re-election.

The Full Governing Board meet once per half term (six times per academic year) in normal circumstances.

The full makeup of the Governing Board, including profiles, declarations of interest and governors attendance at meetings. This information can be found above. 

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Category of Marsh Lane Primary School Governors and how they are appointed

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The Headteacher – Automatic appointment as a result of their post

Co-opted Governors – Appointed by the Full Governing Body

Parent Governors – Elected by the parents of the school

Local Authority Governors – Nominated by the Local authority and appointed by the Full Governing Body

Associate Members - Appointed by the Full Governing Body (with no voting rights)

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Key Issues

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Throughout the year, the governors have: -

• Undertaken safeguarding training and maintained this as a regular item on the agenda of each full governors meeting. It is recognised that this is not only a key issue within school but also in daily life. They continue to focus on safeguarding and keep this at the forefront of everything.

• Undertaken various on-line training modules to improve their knowledge of governance issues.

• Monitored closely the attainment levels of all pupils. 

• Looked closely at the school budget to ensure that we do not operate in a deficit and that we obtain value for money and that the school is properly resourced.

•  Attended school to speak with staff and pupils about their learning, British Values, Anti-Bullying and undertake classroom visits.  Governors complete a record of the visit, which is discussed at governor meetings.

• Reviewed school policies on a regular basis, to ensure that they are kept up to date and are relevant.

• Regularly, reviewed the School Improvement Plan (SIP) and the Self Evaluation Summary (SES).

• Each term the governors have been kept fully up to date with everything that goes on in the school by the headteacher who produces a very comprehensive report, which is circulated and discussed at meetings.

• Reviewed the effectiveness of governance and decided that reform was needed, this has now taken place. All governors are now involved in all aspects of governance and all decisions are made by the Full Governing Body and not by committees.

• Read the termly school newsletter and supported at events. 

 

Benefits to the pupils and the school

• Being more aware of safeguarding issues ensures that governors and staff are vigilant to any potential problems.

• By careful monitoring of the performance of the pupils, the governors have a better understanding of the achievements of the pupils.  Also, by careful and targeted use of pupil premium the progress of disadvantaged children can be monitored and improved.  The sports funding is also used to encourage children to participate in sport, therefore improving their health and life chances.

• By regular attendance at the school, governors get a better understanding of the daily life in school and are able to foster positive relationships with the pupils, staff and parents.

 

Future Plans for the Governing Board

We still have some vacancies and we are currently seeking to fill these. 

Our plans for 2024 - 2025 are to: -

• Continue to develop the skills of the Governing Board through attendance on training courses and feedback at governor meetings.

• Focus on safeguarding and related issues.

• Continue to encourage more governors, to attend school and further build relationships with parents and pupils.  Each class in school has an allocated governor and it is hoped a working relationship will develop over the academic year.

• Listen to the voice of the pupils and parents by undertaking and analysing annual surveys.

• Ensure the Governing Board runs at capacity and that new governors are fully integrated into the Governing Board.

• Support the school with identified school improvement priorities for 2024-2025. 

 

If you wish to contact the governing body you can do this in a number of ways-
 

• Call the school office on (01246) 432701 and leave a message

• Email: Ruth.Shaw@marshlane.derbyshire.sch.uk

• Write to: The Governors, c/o Marsh Lane Primary School, School Lane, Eckington, S21 5RS

• Drop a note in to the school office in person