Message from the Chair of Governors

My name is Jennie Wright and I am the Chair of Governors of the Oaks Federation. This part of the website is designed to give you a brief overview of who we are and what we do.

We are a dedicated team of volunteers who work alongside the staff of the schools to try to ensure that children are provided with a safe and stimulating environment, which enables them to thrive as individuals.

If you have any suggestions or queries, or would like to enquire about being an Oaks Federation Governor, you can contact me via an email to the admin office at St Michael’s, adminoffice@lyndhurst.hants.sch.uk.

What is a school governing body?

Our Governing body is made up of volunteers from the local community and the wider world of business, offering a diverse range of skills and views, bringing a breadth of experience to the team.  We are required to have a strong focus on three core strategic functions:

• Ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction;
• Holding the Executive Headteacher to account for the educational performance of the school and its pupils, and the performance management of staff; and
• Overseeing the financial performance of the school and making sure its money is well spent.

As well as the main Governing Body, a good deal of our work is delegated to one of three Committees;

• School Improvement
• Resources
• Ethos

Types of Governors

Foundation Governors are appointed by Winchester Diocesan Board of Education after consultation with the relevant Parochial Church Council. As the Federation comprises three Church schools the majority of our Governors are Foundation Governors who have a role to encourage an understanding of the significance of faith and promote our Christian values and distinctiveness.

Parent Governors are elected by the school parents to provide a parental perspective. Parent governors are entitled to serve out their term of office even if their child has left the school.

Authority Governors appointed by the County Council primarily with a view to their commitment to high quality education and their ability to bring an independent perspective.

Staff Governors include the Executive Head Teacher plus one other member of staff elected by and from among the teaching and non-teaching staff at the school.

Co-opted Governors are appointed by the governing body based on the skills and experience that they have.

What does a governor do?

As a Governor we are expected to contribute to the work of the governing body in ensuring high standards of achievement for all children people in the Federation.  We are expected to possess, or be willing to training to have, skills and experiences that will help the Governing body work effectively.  In practical terms, we meet regularly during the term with additional committee meetings.  There are usually 6 full governing body meetings a year and we are also be expected to be on at least the School Improvement or Resources committee, a further 6 meetings.

There could also be planned visits to the school each term and time for training.  It is estimated that our time commitment for all of this can be over 48 hours per year. Reading minutes and the paperwork in preparation for meetings will easily add another 24 hours each year.  Being a school Governor can be quite a commitment but we want to ensure that our children receive the very best experiences and opportunities to enable them to achieve their goals and aspirations.

Who are the Oaks Federation governors?

Chair of the Governors: Mrs Jennie Wright

Foundation Governors: Reverend Paul Burnish, Mrs Christine Chapman, Holly Green, Mrs Patricia Godwin, Mr Ian Hopkin, Mrs Nichola Newman, Reverend David Potterton,  Reverend John Reeve, Agnieszka Skrzynska, Mr Mike Zollo.

Co-opted Governors: Mrs Francesca Mahon, Mr Stephen Trevett.

Executive Headteacher: Mr Mat Bowen.

Local Education Authority Governors: Mrs Jill Cairns

Parent Governors: Mrs Kate Amey and Mrs Jennie Wright.

Staff Governor: Mrs Therese Biddlecombe.

Clerk to the Governors: Mrs Lesley Hibberd

THE COMMITTEES

School Improvement Committee

The overall purpose of the School Improvement Committee is to monitor the school’s performance and implementation of policies in the areas of:

• curriculum provision
• teaching and learning
• achievement and standards
• inclusion (SEN, Gifted and Talented, Equality issues, Children in Care)
• pupil behaviour and welfare issues (including Child Protection

The School Improvement Committee report to the full governing body and keeps it in touch with School Improvement Committee work in monitoring the progress of the School Strategic Plan.

This Committee is chaired by Christine Chapman.

Resources Committee

The overall purpose of the Resources Committee is to monitor the school’s performance and implementation of policies in the areas of:

• finance
• premises
• personnel
• health and safety

The Resources Committee report to the full governing body and provides updates and where required, seeks approval of budget expenditure and financial planning.

This Committee is chaired by Ian Hopkin

Ethos Committee

The overall purpose of the Ethos Committee is to monitor the school’s performance and implementation of policies in the areas of:

The development of an outstanding, vibrant Christian ethos

• Spiritual development including how the schools meet the needs of the learners through its distinctive Christian character
• Establishing, maintaining and developing partnerships between the schools and the local churches and the wider community

Membership comprised of all foundation governors and is open to any other governors.

This Committee is chaired by Reverend John Reeve