St Nicholas School

The Governing Body is made up of:
•    Parent Governors (elected by the Parents)
•    Co-opted Governors (appointed by the Governing Body)
•    Staff (elected by School Staff)
•    Local Authority (LA) Governors (appointed by the Local Authority)

Work of the Governing Body:
School Governors are the equivalent of a Board of Directors and make strategic decisions about how the school is run.  They meet on average once each term as a whole group and more regularly as members of one of two committees and via School Fund Trusteeship.  School Governors have legal duties, powers and responsibilities. They can only act corporately - not as individuals.  The Governors are made up from parents, staff, the Local Authority and community representatives.

Governors are appointed to help to:
•    decide what is being taught
•    set standards of behaviour
•    agree staffing
•    decide how the school budget should be spent

Governors also participate in the following sub committees:

•    Resource - ensures that the finances of the school are managed in the way that most effectively supports the work of the school, agrees funded maintenance plan for the school and arranges monitoring and inspection of the school premises, agrees policy and monitors practice in relation to all aspects of health and safety and safeguarding (keeping children safe and promoting their wellbeing so they can thrive), agrees the school’s pay policy and (through a delegated Pay Panel) oversees staff appraisal and procedures for a range of staffing issues.

•    LAW (Learning, Assessment & Welfare) - agrees policy and monitors practice in relation to curriculum, assessment and pupil performance data, including evaluating the school's performance against agreed targets and oversees all aspects of Post-16 provision in Poplar College, helping our students develop to their best potential. Staff are sometimes invited to the meetings to talk about specific topics e.g. Subject co-ordinators.

•    School Fund Trustees – manage fundraising money and donations to the School.  Decide how the money will be spent.
 

The Chair of Governors can be contacted by email at chair@st-nicholas.wilts.sch.uk, or you can leave a message at the school office.  The Chair of Governors is happy to hear your concerns, issues, questions and suggestions and will ensure that you receive a timely response from the most appropriate person.  However, please bear in mind that in the day-to-day-issues of the school and any concerns about your child you should approach the teachers in the first instance. 
Non confidential minutes of Governing Body meetings are available on request from the Clerk to the Governors:  clerk@st-nicholas.wilts.sch.uk.