What we do
Like all school governing boards, Vernon Primary School’s board has three main functions:
- we ensure the school has a clear vision, ethos and strategic direction;
- we hold the head teacher to account for the educational performance of the school and its pupils, and
- we oversee the financial performance of the school and make sure its money is well spent.
The full board meets once a term to discuss formal business. We hold a second full meeting each term to address specific issues or find out more about a particular area of governance.
We also have a number of committees that consider different aspects of the school in detail. At Vernon Primary School we have a Finance and Facilities Committee that looks at budget issues, school facilities and premises; a Curriculum Committee which examines the curriculum and pupil progress; a Safeguarding Committee; and a Personnel Committee that’s responsible for staffing issues such as pay and performance.
Vernon’s Board of Governors is a committed team and attendance at meetings is excellent. But we go above and beyond our duty to turn up.
Members devote much of their spare time to the school attending events, observing classes, meeting with teachers and pupils and speaking with external inspectors to ensure the school keeps on track. We hold regular Pupil Voice sessions across all year groups. We also undergo regular training in all aspects of school life from safeguarding to finance.