Welcome from the Chair
My name is Julie Bate and I have been proud to have been a co-opted governor at Brierley Hill Primary School, since 2015 and elected Chair since October 2022. It is a privilege for me to work alongside a highly dedicated group of Governors, who work tirelessly, with the Senior Leadership and staff, in school, to ensure each and every pupil flourishes and achieves their maximum potential.
I am not from education, but have a linguistic and french degree and have retired from a thirty year career in retail. In one of my roles as a Pr Ambassador, I was privileged to work with many local charities, organisations and schools, during which time I formed a unique bond with the staff and pupils at Brierley Hill Primary School. I am a member of Brierley Hill Community forum and Poppy Appeal Organiser for Amblecote and Wordsley.
School has undergone a lot of exciting change lately. Through the support of the Local Authority, we have formed a unique collaboration, with Peters Hill Primary School, called the Round Oak Collaborative, with their Head Teacher, Mr Simon Duncan, becoming our Executive Head Teacher, for this academic year 2023-24.
Through his leadership both schools have forged ahead" in several areas, which include , teaching and learning, leadership and management, pupil engagement, staff development and resources and infrastructure. This has all been underpinned by a set of core values, including ambition, belief, compassion, pride and respect, aimed at creating a positive and inclusive environment, in which all our children can thrive.
Brierley Hill Primary School
Governing body
At Brierley Hill Primary School members of the governing body are all volunteers who give up their own time to fulfil the role. They play a key role in driving the school forward.
The Governor Body at Brierley Hill Primary School is made up of 9 members.
The body is comprised of governors from the following categories:
- 2 parent governors – elected by parents.
- 1 staff governor – elected by school staff.
- 1 Local Authority governor – nominated to represent the local authority.
- 4 co-opted governors – appointed by governors, based upon their skills set.
- The Executive Headteacher – appointed in line with his role.
How to contact the Governors.
- Our Chair of Governors is Mrs Julie Bate. She can be contacted via the school office
- Email: Info@brierley.dudley.sch.uk
- Phone:01384 816980
Current Governor vacancies
We currently have 2 vacancies for Parent Governors and a vacancy for one co- opted Governor.
To be a Governor you don’t need to be an expert in educational issues, the most important contributions you can offer are time, enthusiasm and the skills you use in everyday life.
You also need to:
- Be over 18
- Pass a check for your suitability to work within a school
All Governors are expected to abide by the Nolan Principles of public life. These are:
- Selflessness
- Integrity
- Objectivity
- Accountability
- Openness
- Honesty
- Leadership
Governors are expected to abide by our agreed code of conduct (see below)
The Governor role is intended to be strategic in nature whilst being a “critical friend” to the Head teacher and the school leadership team, (SLT) who are responsible for the day-to-day operational running of the school.
We have 3 core strategic functions of our governing body are:
1. Ensuring clarity of vision, ethos, values, and strategic direction.
2. Holding the Executive and Associate Headteacher to account for the educational performance of the school and its pupils and for the effective and efficient performance management of staff.
3. Overseeing the financial performance of the school, making sure its money is well spent.
We meet twice a term as a full Governing Body.
We also have a number of sub-committees that perform much of the detailed work in accordance with their terms of reference.
Our committees are:
Leading Teaching and Learning.
- Ensuring a broad and balanced curriculum is delivered and that policy on collective worship is implemented.
- Setting standards of pupil behaviour and discipline.
- Setting and monitoring the school aims and policies.
- Monitoring pupil progress and the school’s overall standards.
Managing the Organisation - Premises, Finance and People.
- Overseeing the financial performance of the school and ensure money is well spent.
- Involved in the selection and recruitment of staff, and dealing with any matters relating to existing staff.
- Making sure that the building and site are well maintained, are safe, welcoming and fit for purpose.
Two other committees carry out statutory functions
- Pay Committee.
- Headteacher Appraisal/Performance Management Committee.
Some committees are only called on a needs basis and, being small in number, governors are appointed to these at the necessary time. Where additional governors are needed we agree to approach other local schools and/or the LA Governor services to support with experienced governors. The committees to which this is relevant are:
- Pay appeal committee
- Staff dismissal committee
- Staff dismissal appeal committee
- Pupil discipline committee
- Complaints panel
To ensure that we are compliant with our statutory duties and to keep us well informed, we also ask individual Governors to take lead roles in specific areas. These are reviewed each year.
Governance statement for academic Year 2022-2023
- Agreed the future strategic direction of school, in consultation with the Local Authority and the creation of a new collaboration with Peter’s Hill Primary School.
- With the Headteacher, reviewed the staffing structure in the school office and recruited two new members of staff.
- Introduction and monitoring of a new Maths Scheme (White Rose), has led to a more structured curriculum coverage (content and skills). This has led to improved outcomes at age expected standards in July 2023. The focus for 2023-4 will be to maintain these outcomes and improve % of those achieving higher levels.
- Meetings with a selection of foundation subject leaders (P.E, Science, Music and PSHE) validated the schools recent work on curriculum intent and gave indicators of the work that has begun in curriculum organisation, implementation.
Work on curriculum remains a key focus for 2023-2024.
- Maintained a tight but balanced budget.
- Replaced windows along one full side of the school buildings for energy efficiency and safety reasons.
- Replaced old external outdoor play equipment.
- Appointed new Chair of Governors and Vice Chair. Used Governor Mark criteria to review roles, responsibilities and duties of the Governing Body
Governor Development Planning for 2023-2024
- Under the new collaborative arrangement, work with Executive Headteacher to review school performance, identify and monitor key priorities for 2023-2024.
- If appropriate, revise the instrument of Governance, constitution, roles and responsibilities and committee structure of the Governing Body.
- Develop effective ‘collaborative’ structures with Peters Hill Primary to support School Improvement Agenda e g shared working policies and practices, shared professional development, school to school moderation.
- Ensure staff workload and well-being is given high priority and is effectively monitored.
- Review the school website and advise Senior leaders this in line with statutory compliance.
- Engage with LA to review school premises, ensure statutory compliance and identify priorities.
- Review the school curriculum and related assessment procedures as detailed in the School Improvement Plan and monitor its impact on pupil outcomes.
- Monitor the changes in reading and maths to establish the impact on pupil outcomes, particularly for those working at higher levels.
- Ensure all policies are reviewed more systematically on a programmed basis.
- Monitor the continued impact of changes introduced in 2022-23.
Governors for the academic year 2023-2024
Type of governor | Name | Appointed | Current Term of office | Additional roles / responsibilities |
Parent | Vacancy | | | |
Vacancy | | | |
Staff | S. Harvey | September 2023 | 11/10/2023 to 10/10/2027 | To be decided |
LA/foundation | R Sanders | June 2015 | 14/3/2023 to 13/3/2027 | Mathematics. (SIP2) Premium- sport/pupil Foundation Subjects (SIP3/4) Chair of Pay committee |
Co-opted | J Donnelly | January 2018 | 28/9/2021 to 27/9/2025 | Vice Chair of Governors English- (SIP 1) Training Link Governor Foundation subjects (SIP3/4) |
H Johnson | January 2020 | 21/1/2020 to 20/1/2024 | Foundation subjects (SIP3/4) Safeguarding Deputy Early Years |
J Bate | June 2015 | 23/6/2023 to 22/6/2027 | Chair of Governors Safeguarding (CLA, on line safety) SEND Health and Safety |
Vacancy | | | |
Executive Headteacher- Ex Officio | S Duncan | September 2023 | 1/9/2023 | N/A |
Associate | S Bridgewood | October 2009 | 1/9/2023 To 31/8/2027 | N/A |
Clerk - Dudley MBC | J Price | | Appointed for the academic year 2023-24 | N/A Appointed via Dudley Governor Services. |
Governors who have served in the previous 12 months (2022-223)
Type of governor | Name | Appointed | Current Term of office | Additional roles / responsibilities |
Headteacher Ex Officio | T Allport | | Retired 31/8/2023 | N/A |
Parent | H Mushayi | 28/9/2021 | Resigned 17/8/2023 | Premises Health and Safety |
K Ahmed | 28/9/2021 | Resigned 4/9/2023 | Finance – shadow Mathematics |
| Z Jeffries | September 2023 | Left school December 2023 | New to governance |
Register of Business Interests 2023-2024
No Governors have declared any business interests; however, one governor has a link to members of staff at Brierley Hill Primary and one Governor is a member of the Governing Body at another (non-Dudley) school.
Schedule of meetings 2023-2024
Governing Body Meeting Dates 23/24 | FGB - School Agenda 5.30 pm | Managing the Organisation 5.30 pm | Leading Teaching and Learning 5.30 pm | FGB - Local Authority Agenda 5.30 pm |
Autumn 23 Brierley Hill | Thursday 12th October 23 | Thursday 26th October 23 | Thursday 16th November 23 | Thursday 30th November 23 |
Spring 24 Brierley Hill | Thursday 1st February 24 | Thursday 22nd February 24 | Thursday 14th March 24 | Thursday 21st March 24 |
Summer 24 Brierley Hill | Thursday 9th May 24 | Thursday 23rd May 24 | Thursday 13th June 24 | Thursday 27th June 24 |
Brierley Hill Pay Committee – Prior to Leading Teaching and Learning meeting - 4pm Thursday 16th November 2023
Brierley Hill Budget setting approval – TBC (April 2024)
Brierley Hill Primary School Governing Body
Code of conduct 2023-2024
Once this code has been adopted, all governors agree to faithfully abide by it.
We will abide by the Seven Nolan Principles of Public Life:
Selflessness
We will act solely in terms of the public interest.
Integrity
We will avoid placing ourselves under any obligation to people or organisations that might try inappropriately to influence us in our work. We will not act or take decisions in order to gain financial or other material benefits for ourselves, our family, or our friends. We will declare and resolve any interests and relationships.
Objectivity
We will act and take decisions impartially, fairly and on merit, using the best evidence and without discrimination or bias.
Accountability
We are accountable to the public for our decisions and actions and will submit ourselves to the scrutiny necessary to ensure this.
Openness
We will act and take decisions in an open and transparent manner. Information will not be withheld from the public unless there are clear and lawful reasons for so doing.
Honesty
We will be truthful.
Leadership
We will exhibit these principles in our own behaviour. We will actively promote and robustly support the principles and be willing to challenge poor behaviour wherever it occurs.
We will focus on our core governance functions:
- ensuring there is clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction
- holding executive leaders to account for the educational performance of the organisation and its pupils and the performance management of staff
- overseeing the financial performance of the organisation and making sure its money is well spent
In addition, we are committed to ensuring that the voices of stakeholders are heard.
As individual board members, we agree to:
Fulfil our role & responsibilities
- We accept that our role is strategic and so will focus on our core functions rather than involve ourselves in day-to-day management.
- We will develop, share and live the ethos and values of our school.
- We agree to adhere to school policies and procedures as set out by the relevant governing documents and law.
- We shall fully cooperate with individual requests that are necessary to ensure organisational compliance, such as disclosure and barring checks.
- We will work collectively for the benefit of the school.
- We will be candid but constructive and respectful when holding senior leaders to account.
- We will consider how our decisions may affect the school and local community.
- We will stand by the decisions that we make as a collective.
- Where decisions and actions conflict with the Seven Principles of Public Life or may place pupils at risk, we will speak up and bring this to the attention of the relevant authorities.
- We will only speak or act on behalf of the board if we have the authority to do so.
- We will fulfil our responsibilities as a good employer, acting fairly and without prejudice.
- When making or responding to complaints we will follow the established procedures.
- We will strive to uphold the school’s reputation in our private communications (including on social media).
- We will have regard to our responsibilities under The Equality Act and will work to advance equality of opportunity for all.
Demonstrate our commitment to the role
- We will involve ourselves actively in the work of the board, and accept our fair share of responsibilities, serving on committees or working groups where required.
- We will make every effort to attend all meetings and where we cannot attend explain in advance why we are unable to.
- We will arrive at meetings prepared, having read all papers in advance, ready to make a positive contribution and observe protocol.
- We will get to know the school well and respond to opportunities to involve ourselves in school activities.
- We will visit the school and when doing so will make arrangements with relevant staff in advance and observe school and board protocol.
- When visiting the school in a personal capacity (for example, as a parent or carer), we will continue to honour the commitments made in this code.
- We will participate in induction training, prioritise training in required areas (such as safeguarding) and commit to developing our individual and collective skills and knowledge on an ongoing basis.
Build and maintain relationships
- We will develop effective working relationships with school leaders, staff, parents and other relevant stakeholders from our local community.
- We will respect the remit of, and engage constructively with, relevant authorities and other schools.
- We will express views openly, courteously and respectfully in all our communications with board members and staff both inside and outside of meetings.
- We will work to create an inclusive environment where each board member’s contributions are valued equally.
- We will support the chair in their role of leading the board and ensuring appropriate conduct.
Respect confidentiality
- We will observe complete confidentiality both inside and outside of school when matters are deemed confidential or where they concern individual staff, pupils or families.
- We will not reveal the details of any governing body vote.
- We will ensure all confidential papers are held and disposed of appropriately.
- We will maintain confidentiality even after we leave office.
Declare conflicts of interest and be transparent
- We will declare any business, personal or other interest that we have in connection with the board’s business, and these will be recorded in the declaration of business interest documents.
- We will also declare any conflict of loyalty at the start of any meeting should the need arise.
- If a conflicted matter arises in a meeting, we will offer to leave the meeting for the duration of the discussion and any subsequent vote.
- We accept that the Register of Business Interests will be published on the school’s website.
- We will act as a governor; not as a representative of any group.
- We accept that in the interests of open governance, our full names, date of appointment, terms of office, roles on the governing body, attendance records, relevant business and pecuniary interests, category of governor and the body responsible for appointing us will be published on the school website.
- We accept that information relating to board members will be collected and recorded on the DfE’s national database (Get Information about Schools), some of which will be publicly available.
*Statement added or updated in 2023
We understand that potential or perceived breaches of this code will be taken seriously and that a breach could lead to formal sanctions.