Governors

All schools in England have a Governing Body which is responsible for overseeing many of the strategic decisions of the school. A key role is to act as a ‘critical friend’: to support, to challenge, to ask questions, ultimately to represent the school community.

The Governing Body works in close partnership with the headteacher, staff and the local authority. Whilst the headteacher is, of course, responsible for the day to day running of the school, the governors are involved with such things as staffing, curriculum, school buildings and finance. It ensures the school functions well and maintains the proper range of academic and social objectives.

In September 2013 the governing body elected to reconstitute, in keeping with statutory guidance from the Department for Education. We took this decision as it allowed us to change the numbers and types of governors we have and to appoint more people on the basis of the skills they could bring.

The governing body now consists of:

• The Headteacher
• One elected staff governor
• One appointed local authority governor
• Two elected parent governors
• Seven co-opted governors

The standard term of office for a governor is four years. The chair and vice-chair are elected annually at the first meeting of the academic year.

The chair of governors is Mr Richard Morgan, who can be contacted via the school office or directly via email at office@johnsonfold.bolton.sch.uk

Much of the work of the governing body is done by committees. At Johnson Fold Community Primary, we have the following committee

Mrs Janet Philips                                                                                                                     TBC

Governors Impact Statement for 2022-2023

Each year we publish a statement outlining the impact of the decisions we make, as Governors, on the school. Over the past year we as Governors have worked hard to ensure that the school continues to be strong in all areas and that the school continues to grow and develop ‘to be the best that we can be’ to ensure that the children in our school can be the best that they can be.

In recent years we have continued to develop a well organised committee structure, each led by a different Governor. By sharing responsibility it has allowed all the Governors to become more active, with a greater diversity of views and more accountability. This year we have appointed a new Parent Governor who will bring fresh new insights to the school and skills to enhance the effectiveness of our Governing body.

We continue to work very closely with the Headteacher and the senior leadership team as well as the other members of staff, both teaching and support. This means we have a very thorough knowledge and understanding of the school which enables us to be more active in our role.

As Governors we regularly visit school and are directly involved in the life of the school; particularly special assemblies, and performances. We are present and involved at major school events such as award ceremonies and community events such as the Christmas and Summer Fairs.

We continue with our policy to recruit new and recently qualified teachers and are confident that our school can give them whatever support and development they need. We have an excellent record in nurturing and developing teachers and although it can be frustrating to see good staff leave us, we know that when this happens, the school will still function well. As Governors we continue to support and encourage the school to keep raising standards in all areas of the curriculum. This year we have continued to invited lead subject teachers to present to Governors  and share their reports about how they are refining the curriculum of their subject across the school. This has given Governors continual insight into the hard work and enthusiasm of our teaching staff as they seek to continue to raise standards.

We recognise the importance of tackling barriers to learning in all areas and we support and encourage the excellent links with a range of outside agencies who can offer support and help to parents and the wider community. Our award winning Breakfast Club continues to help working families and parents trying to return to employment.

A key area of our responsibility as Governors is pupil premium money. We regularly review how pupil premium money is spent at our meetings to ensure that it is spent on specific interventions and learning support which allows all children to achieve.

The Headteacher

Miss Becky Crossley - Acting Head Start date: 01/04/2021 (now Headteacher as of 01/11/22)

Governors elected by Staff Body

Miss Sylvia Cartwright - Staff Governor Start date: 14/07/2021 End date: 14/07/2025

Governors elected by Local Authority

 Vacant 

Governors elected by Parental Body

Ms Toni Smith Pickles - Parent Governor Start Date: 17/9/2020 End Date: 17/9/2024

Ms Zoe Torkington - Parent Governor Start Date: 12/07/2022 End Date: 12/07/2026

Governors elected by Governing Body

Mr Richard Morgan - Chair - Co-opted Governor Start date: 01/02/2015 End date: 31/01/2027

Mrs Joann Aldred - Co-opted Governor Start date: 17/07/2020 End date: 17/07/2024

Mrs Joanne Willan -  Co-opted Governor Start date: 01/02/2015 End date: 31/01/2027

Mr Garry Allanson - Co-opted Governor Start Date: 29/04/2019 End Date: 29/04/2023

Mrs Clair Beswick - Co-opted Governor Start Date: 28/11/2019 End Date: 28/11/2023

Mrs Susan Gray - Co-opted Governor Start Date: 12/07/2018 End Date: 12/07/2022

Mrs Lynda Twist - Co-opted Governor Start Date: 30/11/2022 End Date 30/11/2026

Mrs Janet Philips - Co-opted Governor Start Date: 30/11/2022 End Date 30/11/2026

Governors with relevant business and pecuniary interests (as recorded in the register of interests)

NONE CURRENTLY