Governors

The Governing Body take an active interest in the life of the school and individual Governors work in partnership with school staff on specific areas of the School Development Plan (SDP).

Representatives from the community, parents, members of the teaching team and the Headteacher form the full Governing Body which meets every term. The two committees ‘Curriculum and Self Evaluation’ and ‘Finance and Staffing’  meet, on behalf of the governing body, on a regular basis to look at key areas in further detail.

The role of the Governing Body

School Governors provide strategic leadership and accountability in all schools. Governors appoint the Headteacher and are also involved in the appointment of other staff. It is the governors who hold the main responsibility for finance in schools and it is governors who work with the Headteacher to make tough decisions about balancing resources based on what is best for the children.

Individual Governors may not act independently of the rest of the Governing Body. Decisions are the joint responsibility of the Governing Body.

The role of the Governing Body is to:

– set the vision, aims and objectives for the school

– set the policies for achieving those aims and objectives

– set the targets for achieving those aims and objectives

– monitor and evaluate the progress the school is making towards achievement of its aims and objectives

– be a source of challenge and support to the Headteacher

The Headteacher is responsible for the internal organisation, management and control of the school and the implementation of the strategic framework established by the Governing Body.

The Governors aim to conduct themselves and work with the school in accordance with the NGA code of conduct.

What we do

The Full Governing Body (FGB) meets once a term and is fully minuted by a dedicated Clerk to the Governors.  The agenda for a Full Governing Body meeting will include review of the school development plan, a Headteacher’s report – with particular regard to pupil progress, an update on other priority areas and reports from the chairs of our committees.

At Furzefield, we have two committees which have authority to agree and monitor policies and key actions on behalf of the full governing body.  The committees each meet once a term.  Currently our committees are:

• Finance and Staffing – This committee sets and monitors the budget with the School Business and Headteacher and takes it to the Full Governing Body for approval.  It also reviews staffing needs. The chair of the committee is Christopher Reed.

• Curriculum and Self-Evaluation – This committee is focused on standards and the progress made by all children in the school, the curriculum as well as the quality of teaching. Behaviour, attendance and punctuality are also reviewed at these meetings. The chair of the committee is Jan Knott.

Alongside the committees our Governor, Jan Knott, Chairs the Red Oak Advisory Group. This group comprises The Red Oak Family Centre Manager, the Headteacher, Governors and other members of staff including the School Business Manager, Local Authority representative as well as Professionals from the local community.  It meets regularly to give support, advice and discuss issues that are of importance to the families of Merstham.

Governors also have specific areas of responsibility (eg: maths, child protection/safeguarding and SEND) and are involved in working groups that focus on specific projects E.g. school ICT.

All our Governors are expected to visit the school so they know about day to day life in school.  These visits are structured and made in partnership with the Headteacher and the staff team.

If you would like to contact the Governing Body, please do so via Mrs Tait, Clerk to the Governors in the school office on gbclerk@furzefield.surrey.sch.uk .

Current list of Governors