We are very proud to be governors of Bishop Martin CE Primary School, a popular and successful Church of England school located in the heart of Woolton. The governing body exists to provide strategic leadership and accountability in school. We establish the vision and values of Bishop Martin Primary School which are under pinned by our school policies.

Our school is a proud member of the Liverpool Diocesan Schools Trust (LDST).

As a Local Governing Body (LGB), within the Multi Academy Trust (MAT), we have delegated powers under the LDST Scheme of Delegation to oversee the running of the school and have responsibility for day to day operational matters. Some of these powers have been delegated to committees or to the Headteacher but with the understanding that the ultimate responsibility lies with the LGB.

The school is accountable to us as the LGB and we are accountable to the Board of Directors of the Trust.

The 3 core responsibilities of Bishop Martin Church of England Primary School Governing Body are:

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

The governing body meets regularly to monitor and evaluate the progress and impact our school is making, and act as a source of challenge and support to the Executive Headteacher. We have the highest ambitions for delivering outstanding outcomes for all of our children both academically and in the context of our Christian Values and Ethos which permeate all aspects of school life.

At Bishop Martin Primary School, in partnership with each family, our staff, the St. Peters Church family and our wider community, we are committed to nurturing highly motivated, independent young people with a life-long love of learning and a real knowledge of God.

How does the governing body work?

The governing body is made up of committed volunteers that represent the different stakeholder groups across our community. We have provided a table below which details our membership and committee structure.

Bishop Martin Church of England Governing Body 2024-2025

Bishop Martin Governor Committees

• Chair of Governors: Mr Steve Row
• Vice Chair of Governors: Mr James Hartwell

FINANCE, STAFFING AND PREMISES COMMITTEE

• Chair: Mr Steve Row
• Membership: Steve Row, Jill Broom, Paul Ireland, Rebecca Lyons (Trust Business Manager)
• Quorum: Three governors plus the Executive Headteacher
• Meeting: Termly and as necessary to respond to any financial issues arising and as necessary to deal with any matters pertaining to staff employment.

Terms of Reference:

• In consultation with the Executive Headteacher, to draft/approve the first formal budget plan of the financial year
• To establish and maintain an up to date 3 year financial plan
• 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
• To ensure that the school operates within the Financial Regulations of the City Council
• To monitor expenditure of all voluntary funds kept on behalf of the Governing Body
• To annually review charges and remissions policies and expenses policies.
• To make decisions in respect of service agreements
• 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 exercise virement between budget headings as necessary and up to an agreed maximum
• To prepare and review financial policy statements, including consideration of long term planning and resourcing
• To agree the level of delegation to the Executive Headteacher for the day to day financial management of the school.
• To authorise staff to have responsibility for signing orders, invoices and petty cash claims.
• To authorise the Executive Headteacher to enter into contracts up to an agreed limit
• To liaise with those responsible for the school funds to ensure an overall policy on expenditure is agreed to the best advantage of the school.
• To respond to any audit reports on the management of the budget and financial procedures
• To review the school lettings policy.
• To determine whether sufficient funds are available for pay increments as recommended by the Executive Headteacher
• In the light of the Executive Headteacher Performance Management Group’s recommendations, to determine whether sufficient funds are available for increments
• To draft and keep under review the staffing structure in consultation with the Executive Headteacher.
• To establish a Pay Policy for all categories of staff and to be responsible for its administration and review
• To establish and review a Performance Management policy for all staff
• To oversee the process leading to staff reductions
• To keep under review staff work/life balance, working conditions and well-being, including the monitoring of absence
• To consider any appeal against a decision on pay grading or pay awards
• To formulate and review staffing and personnel policies
• To draft and keep under review Disciplinary and Grievance Procedures for approval by the Governing Body and to ensure that staff are kept well informed.
• To agree recruitment and selection procedures and the level of involvement by governors in the appointment of staff.
• To review Executive Headteacher’s, Deputy Headteachers’ and teachers’ salaries as required by the Pay and Conditions documents.
• To advise the Governing Body on priorities, including Health and Safety, for the maintenance and development of the school’s premises
• To oversee arrangements for repairs and maintenance
• In consultation with the Executive Headteacher 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 an Asset Management Plan
• To establish and keep under review an Accessibility plan
• To monitor, and report regularly to the Governing Body on:
  • - Energy
  • - Cleaning
  • - Grounds Maintenance
  • - Security
  • - Maintenance
• To make recommendations for minor works related to improvements or repairs to the buildings or grounds.
• To approve the costs and contracts for maintenance, repairs and decoration within the budget allocation.
• To review and advise the Governing Body on all matters relating to Community Use, including the charging policy.
• To approve a Health and Safety Policy. To monitor on a regular basis all issues relating to health and safety and to work closely with the Health and Safety Representative within the school.

CHRISTIAN DISTINCTIVENESS COMMITTEE

• Chair: Reverend Lizzy Holland
• Membership: Jill Broom, Mike Carney

The committee shall consist of up to 6 members of the Governing Body including the Executive Headteacher who is an ex-officio member.

• To including the vicar and ideally also a foundation governor
• Non-voting participants may be invited to meetings by the committee as and when required.

Quorum: The quorum shall be 3 members, including the Executive Headteacher but excluding any co-opted non-voting members.

Meeting:

• The clerk to the committee shall be responsible for convening meetings of the committee. Procedures of any meetings must be minuted and these presented for the next meeting of the Governing Body.
• The committee will meet at least once a term and otherwise as required.

Terms of Reference:

Responsibilities

The main function of the committee is to support, advise and challenge the Executive Headteacher and the Governing Body on matters relating to the distinctiveness and effectiveness of Bishop Martin CE Primary School as a church school and the impact which this has on the pupils and whole school community, in particular:

• The relationship between the school and St Peter’s church
• The development of joint projects between school and church such as a shared charity
• The relationship between the school and the local, national and global communities
• The impact of worship on the school community
• The effectiveness of religious education
• The impact of Christian values within the curriculum and the wider life of the school particularly in pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development
• The way in which the school makes provision for the future leadership of church schools
• The way in which the Christian character of the school is monitored and evaluated in terms of its impact on pupils, staff, parents and the wider community
• To make recommendations to the Governing Body on relevant policy matters
• Preparation for the Statutory Inspection of Anglican and Methodist Schools

ADMISSIONS COMMITTEE

Chair: Mr Mike Carney

Membership: Jane Griffiths, Mike Carney, Executive Headteacher, Administration Officer.

The Committee shall consist of at least 5 Governors, plus the Headteacher. A member of the School administration team shall to be invited to attend meetings in a non-voting capacity.

Quorum: A quorum will consist of 3 Governors.

Meeting:

• The clerk to the committee shall be responsible for convening meetings of the committee. Procedures of any meetings must be minuted and these presented for the next meeting of the Governing Body.
• The committee will meet at least once a term and otherwise as required

Bishop Martin Church of England Primary School, Woolton

Governor Attendance 2022-23

Y = Attended, N = Apologies Accepted, NA = Apologies not Accepted, NS = No Apologies sent, ? = Attendance Not Marked, Blank = Not Required,

CA = Consent for absence, - = Not applicable