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St Benedict's Catholic School

St Benedict's
Catholic School

Governors Committees

 Hearings Committee

Terms of reference:

  • To make any determination to dismiss any member of staff (unless delegated to the headteacher)
  • To make any decisions under the Governing Body’s personnel procedures e.g. disciplinary, grievance, capability where the Headteacher is the subject of the action*
  • To make any decisions relating to any member of staff other than the Headteacher, under the Governing Body’s personnel procedures (unless delegated to the Headteacher)
  • To make any determination or decision under the Governing Body’s General Complaints Procedure for Parents and others
  • To make any determination or decision under the Governing Body’s Curriculum Complaints Procedure, in respect of National Curriculum disapplications, and the operation of the Governing Body’s charging policy:
  • Additional items which individual Governing Bodies may wish to include

*cannot be delegated to an individual.

Committee members

Any Governor at the discretion of the Chair or Vice-Chair, except Chair or member of staff or a Governor with a personal connection.

Membership: Not less than 3 members of the Governing Body.
(NB. The number appointed to this committee directly affects the number required for an Appeal Committee i.e. there must be an equal number of governors on both committees and governors can only sit on hearings or appeals)
Disqualification: The Headteacher. Any members of the Appeals Committee.
(It is suggested that only experienced governors be appointed to this committee and that the Chairman of Governors, due to probable prior knowledge, should not be a member).

Chair of the Committee: To be elected by those present
Clerk to the Committee: Mrs Alex Fenner (L.A. Clerk)
Quorum: 3
Date Committee established: 01/09/2016
Date of review: October 2021

Appeals Committee  

Terms of reference:

  • To consider any appeal against a decision to dismiss a member of staff made by the Hearings Committee*
  • To consider any appeal against a decision short of dismissal under the Governing Body’s personnel procedures e.g. disciplinary, grievance, capability*
  • To consider any appeal against selection for redundancy*
  • Any items which individual governing bodies may wish to include

*cannot be delegated to an individual.

Committee members:

Any Governor at the discretion of the Chair or Vice-Chair, including Chair or Vice-Chair except member of staff or Governor with a personal connection.

Membership: No fewer members than the Hearings Committee.
Disqualification: The Headteacher. Any members of the Hearings Committee.

Chair of the Committee: To be elected by those present.
Clerk to the Committee: Mrs Alex Fenner (L.A. Clerk)
Quorum: 3
Date Committee established: 01/09/2016
Date of review: October 2021

Pupil Discipline Committee  

Terms of reference:

  • To consider representations from parents in the case of exclusions of 5 days or less (Committee may not re-instate)
  • To consider representations from parents in the case of exclusions totalling more than 5 but not more than 15 school days in one term (meeting to be held within 50 school days after receiving notice of the exclusion)
  • To consider the reinstatement of an excluded pupil within 15 school days of receiving notice of exclusion if:
    • The exclusion is permanent;
    • It is a fixed period exclusion which would bring the pupil’s total number of school days of exclusion to more than 15 in a term; or
    • It would result in a pupil missing a public examination or national curriculum test
  • To ensure that the guidance contained in the ’Exclusion from maintained schools, academies and pupil referral units in England’ document is practised in the school, with specific reference to the role assigned to the Governing Body.
  • To review the School Behaviour and Discipline Policy, and make recommendations on changes to the Governing Body or relevant committee
  • Any items which individual governing bodies may wish to include.

Committee members:

Any Governor at the discretion of the Chair or Vice-Chair, except Chair or member of staff or a Governor with a personal connection.

Membership: minimum of 3.
NB. The Governing Body may nominate a pool of governors from which three will serve as the Discipline Committee to consider particular exclusions. If a Governor has a connection with the pupil or the incident that could affect their ability to act impartially they should not serve at the hearing. If, through non-attendance of a Governor, four members consider an exclusion, the Chair has the casting vote.
Disqualification: The Headteacher*. Any Governor with prior knowledge of the pupil or the incident.
NB. (It is suggested that neither the Chairman of Governors nor a member of staff, due to probable prior knowledge, should be a member).

Chair of the Committee: To be elected by those present.
Clerk to the Committee: Mrs Alex Fenner (L.A. Clerk)
Quorum: 3
Date Committee established: 01/09/2016
Date of review: October 2021

 

Finance Committee

Terms of reference:

  • In consultation with the Headteacher, to draft (and approve) (if delegated authority given to the Committee) the first formal Budget Plan of the financial year, carry out revisions and monitor the budget (half termly) (links to SFVS evidence 22)
  • To establish and maintain an up to date 3 year financial plan (Strategic Budget Plans - links to SFVS evidence 9)
  • To consider a budget position statement including virement decisions at least termly and to report significant anomalies from the anticipated position to the Governing Body (links to SFVS evidence 10)
  • To review the Outturn Report and report any significant variances from the original budget to the Governing body (links to SFVS evidence 13)
  • To receive and review the Cash-flow report prior to presentation to the Governing body on a minimum of an annual basis (links to SFVS evidence 39)
  • To consider a Medium term plan report annually to inform the recovery of deficit if applicable (links to SFVS evidence 43)
  • To take a recommendation to the Governing body for approval in relation to the annual Pre-certification checklist and Statement of Internal Control (links to SFVS evidence 18/19)
  • To establish and review a Business Continuity Plan (in accordance with the requirements of the SFVS links to SFVS evidence 30)
  • To ensure that the school operates within the Financial Regulations of the County Council
  • To monitor expenditure of all voluntary funds kept on behalf of the Governing Body
  • To review and approve the Charges and Remissions policies and expenses policies and Best Value Statement (links to SFVS evidence 27/33/34)
  • To make decisions in respect of service agreements, contracts and insurance (buildings and public liability)
  • To establish and approve on an annual basis (statutory requirement), a Pay Policy for all categories of staff and to be responsible for its administration and review including the staffing structure
  • To make decisions on expenditure following recommendations from other Committees
  • To ensure, as far as is practical, that Health and Safety issues are appropriately prioritised
  • To determine whether sufficient funds are available for pay increments as recommended by the Headteacher
  • In the light of the Headteacher Performance Management Group’s recommendations, to determine whether sufficient funds are available for increments
  • To be responsible, in conjunction with the Personnel Committee, for determining dismissal payments/early retirement
  • To review the SFVS documentation as required: agree an action plan and timetable for remedial action and take a recommendation for formal approval of the SFVS to the Governing body annually
  • To review, monitor and approve the Governors’ Expenses scheme under delegation
  • To maintain an overview of and ensure an up-to-date asset register is maintained together with an annual inventory (links to SFVS evidence 42)
  • To review and agree policies relating to Finance as delegated by the Governing Body (please list) e.g. Finance Policy, Record of Financial Responsibility (links to SFVS evidence 2/30)
  • To monitor progress and evaluate the effectiveness of the priorities allocated to the committee within the School Development Plan
  • To consider an Audit report from the Local Authority and agree a detailed action plan with evidence of regular monitoring, where appropriate (links to SFVS evidence 11)
  • To complete the self-evaluation of Governing body competencies on an annual basis in respect of the Chair of Governors, Chair of Finance Committee and a governor with a finance role on an annual basis (links to SFVS evidence 23)
  • To review benchmarking data on an annual basis (links to SFVS evidence 31/32)
  • To prepare the Governing body Value for Money Health Check documentation for approval by the Governing body (links to SFVS evidence 35)
  • To monitor progress and evaluate the effectiveness of the priorities allocated to the committee within the School Development Plan
  • To advise the Governing Body on priorities, including Health and Safety, for the maintenance and development of the school’s premises links to SFVS evidence 14/17)
  • To oversee arrangements for repairs and maintenance (links to SFVS evidence 14/17)
  • To make recommendations to the Finance Committee on premises-related expenditure links to SFVS evidence 14)
  • In consultation with the Headteacher and the Finance Committee, to oversee premises-related funding bids
  • To oversee arrangements, including Health and Safety, for the use of school premises by outside users, subject to Governing Body policy
  • To establish and keep under review a Building Development Plan
  • To establish and keep under review an Accessibility plan (statutory requirement for review every three years minimum)
  • To carry out risk assessments for the premises and ensure that the results of these are actioned and reported
  • To oversee the appointment procedure for all staff to include ensuring the school has adequate arrangements in place to complete pre-employment checks (links to SFVS evidence 26)
  • To ensure that all staff are reminded of the school’s Whistleblowing Policy on a regular basis (links to SFVS evidence 21)
  • To approve and review a Performance Management Policy for all staff*
  • To review job descriptions for staff as appropriate and recommended by the Headteacher
  • To review and agree policies relating to Personnel as delegated by the Governing Body 
  • To oversee the process leading to staff reductions
  • To be responsible for the suspension and/or dismissal of staff (including the Headteacher if delegated to a committee)
  • To be responsible for the ending of a suspension for staff (including the Headteacher if delegated to a committee)
  • To keep under review staff work/life balance, working conditions and well-being, including the monitoring of absence
  • To make recommendations on personnel related expenditure to the Finance Committee, including pay discretions
  • To consider any appeal against a decision on pay grading or pay awards
  • To be responsible, in conjunction with the Finance Committee, for determining dismissal payments/early retirement
  • To produce, collate and report questionnaires for parents, staff and pupils
  • Additional items which individual Governing Bodies may wish to include
  • To review and agree policies relating to Premises, Health and Safety as delegated (please list)
  • Additional items which individual Governing Bodies may wish to include

Committee members

Name of Governor/Associate Member G/AM Date Appointed to the Committee
Dr Cyrille Bouche G 01/09/2020
Mrs Luisa Martinez G 01/09/2020
Mr Chris Donnachie  G 01/09/2020
Mr Anthony Goode G 01/09/2020
Mr Andrew Herlihy G 01/09/2020
Mrs Jane Southin G 01/09/2020
Mrs Imogen Senior HT 01/09/2020

Disqualification: Any relevant person employed to work at the school other than as the Headteacher, when the subject for consideration is the pay or performance review of any person employed to work at the school.

Chair of the Committee: Dr Cyrille Bouche
Clerk to the Committee: Mrs Alex Fenner (L.A. Clerk)
Quorum: 3
Date Committee established: 01/09/2020
Date of review: October 2021

School Improvement Committee

Terms of reference:

  • To monitor progress and evaluate the effectiveness of the priorities allocated to the Committee within the School Development Plan
  • To review anonymised SATs/GCSE data, IDSR information and FFT data if appropriate. To consider pupil progress and how the school is targeting areas of under performance
  • To discuss (using anonymised data), set targets for pupil performance
  • Monitor the impact of Pupil Premium funding
  • Ensure that the requirements of pupils in vulnerable groups are met
  • To consider and advise the Governing Body on standards and other matters relating to the school’s curriculum, including statutory requirements and the School’s Curriculum Policy (no longer statutory requirement for schools to have a curriculum policy but the Governing Body should monitor and advise if policy in place)
  • To monitor progress and evaluate the effectiveness of the priorities allocated to the Committee within the School Development Plan
  • To draft and keep under review the staffing structure in consultation with the Headteacher and the Finance Committee
  • To review the school’s own tracking data to identify progress including strengths and weaknesses and to receive details on the impact of targeted intervention
  • To consider curricular issues which have implications for Finance and Personnel decisions and to make recommendations to the relevant committees or the Governing Body
  • To oversee arrangements for individual governors to take a leading role in specific areas of provision e.g. SEN, English, Maths. To receive regular reports from them and advise the Governing Body.
  • To oversee arrangements for educational visits, including the appointment of a named co-ordinator  
  • To approve risk assessments for educational visits and curriculum areas
  • To review and agree policies for the curriculum as delegated by the Governing body (please list)
  • To decide on the provision for Sex Education (Primary Schools must consider whether to provide. Secondary schools must provide)
  • Additional items which individual Governing Bodies may wish to include

Committee members

Name of Governor/Associate Member G/AM Date Appointed to the Committee
Mrs Emma Barber Lomax G 01/09/2020
Mr Andrew Herlihy G 01/09/2020
Mrs Luisa Martinez G 01/09/2020
Mr Paul Rossi G 01/09/2020
Mrs Imogen Senior HT 01/09/2020
Chair of the Committee: Mrs Emma Barber Lomax
Clerk to the Committee: Mrs Alex Fenner (L.A. Clerk)
Quorum: 3
Date Committee established: 01/09/2020
Date of review: October 2021

Headteacher’s Performance Review Group

Terms of reference:

  • To arrange to meet with the External Adviser to discuss the Headteacher’s performance targets
  • To decide, with the support of the External Adviser, whether the targets have been met and to set new targets annually
  • To monitor through the year the performance of the Headteacher against the targets
  • To make recommendations to the Finance Committee in respect of awards for the successful meeting of targets set
  • Additional items which individual Governing Bodies may wish to include

Committee members

Name of Governor/Associate Member G/AM Date Appointed to the Committee
Mr Andrew Herlihy, Chair of Governors G 01/09/2019
Mrs Luisa Martinez G 01/09/2019

Membership – 2 or 3, but In Voluntary Aided and Voluntary Controlled Schools, at least one of the members must be a Foundation Governor. In Aided Schools, if the membership is three, then two must be Foundation Governors.
Disqualification:
The Headteacher and Staff Governors .

Chair of the Committee: Mr Andrew Herlihy
Chair of Governors
Review Officer: Mr Paul Marshall
Headteacher’s Performance Adviser
Quorum: 2
Date Committee established: 01/09/2016
Date of review: October 2021