Governors

Chair of Governors Welcome

Welcome to Ravenbank Primary School.

It is a real privilege to welcome you to our school website as Chair of Governors. Whether you are already part of our Ravenbank family, considering joining us, or simply wanting to find out more about our wonderful school, I hope you enjoy exploring our website and discovering what makes Ravenbank such a special place.

Ravenbank is a school at the heart of its community, where children are encouraged to be curious, confident and resilient, and where every child is supported to achieve their very best. Our vision of Working Together to Achieve Success, alongside our values of Friendship, Respect, Perseverance and Trust, is at the heart of everything we do.

As Governors, we are incredibly proud of our school and of the dedicated staff who work tirelessly to provide our children with the very best education, experiences and opportunities. Our role is to work alongside the Headteacher - Mrs Jill Sach, The Senior Leadership Team, staff, families and the Beam Trust to support the strategic direction of the school to ensure strong safeguarding and educational standards, and provide appropriate challenge and accountability. Most importantly, we want to ensure that every child at Ravenbank is given the opportunity to thrive.

Our Governing Body brings together a committed group of staff, parents and members of our local community, each bringing different experiences, skills and perspectives. We are united by one shared purpose, to help Ravenbank continue to be the very best school it can be for every child.

I hope this website gives you a flavour of our school, our community and the wonderful opportunities available to our children. You can also find out more about our Governors and the work we do by visiting the Governors section of the website.

Thank you for taking the time to visit us. We look forward to welcoming you to Ravenbank.

With very best wishes,

Cassandra Bloxsom
Chair of Governors
Ravenbank Primary School

Who can be a Governor?

Anyone who is eighteen or over, a legal resident of the UK and not disqualified under the School Governance Constitution (England) Regulations 2003 is eligible for the role.You do not need to be a parent or have any particular qualifications to become a governor, enthusiasm and a desire to make a difference are the most important qualities a volunteer can have.

Ravenbank is an inclusive school where equality is a core principle. The Local Governing Body will work in partnership with the Head to develop and drive the strategic vision of the school and to ensure a whole school culture and environment within which everyone is empowered to work together to achieve success.

The Local Governing Body will hold the school to account with regard to achievement, challenging it to promote excellent progress, high expectations and enjoyment for all, in an exciting, creative and innovative learning culture where children are safe and feel confident, engaged and fulfilled.

We will oversee the effective leadership and management of the school to ensure that the provision for the children is the best that it can be. The Local Governing Body will encourage the school to secure the commitment of the wider community to Ravenbank, by engendering productive partnerships with, for example, schools, other services and agencies for children, the Local Authority, higher education institutions and employers.

The local governing body upholds the school’s mission statement: Working together to achieve success.’

We want all our children to become:
• Successful learners who enjoy learning, make progress and achieve
• Confident individuals who are able to live safe, healthy and fulfilling lives
• Responsible citizens who make a positive contribution to society

The core purpose of the governing body is as follows:
• To develop and drive the strategic vision of the school
• To hold the school to account with regard to achievement
• To ensure a whole school culture and environment which achieves success

Governance Structure

The school operates a full governing board model, with the Local Governing Body meeting regularly throughout the academic year to provide strategic oversight, challenge and support to school leaders. The governing board maintains oversight of the school’s educational performance, safeguarding, statutory responsibilities, finances and strategic priorities.

A Finance Committee meets with the Headteacher and Chief Financial Officer at least termly. The committee provides focused scrutiny of the school’s financial position, including budget monitoring, financial planning, value for money, staffing implications and the effective use of resources. The committee reports back to the full governing board.

Where a specific area requires more focused or time-limited oversight, the governing board may establish a temporary working party. A working party has currently been established to support and oversee the development of the school’s new wraparound care provision. Its role is to provide scrutiny and strategic input during the implementation phase and to report progress, risks and recommendations to the full governing board.

The full governing board remains accountable for all decisions and areas of responsibility, except where specific authority has been formally delegated in accordance with the Trust’s Scheme of Delegation.