In this section:

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Both of our children love coming to St Botolph’s. My child has come on so well since joining St Botolph’s in February 2023 which is all down to how well he is supported at school. My child is happy and excited to go to school every day! Keep doing what you’re doing!

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As always, staff have gone above and beyond to ensure my children have a positive school experience. To see them go from strength to strength in their personal and educational journeys makes me incredibly proud! I will forever be grateful to all staff members who support and guide my children during their time at St Botolph’s. Thank you for another wonderful year!

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This is the most AMAZING school I know (and I work in schools!). The teaching staff (and other staff) are so lovely to my children and really care about them. My children love going to school, my son has autism and he has soared with the help of SENCO and his lovely one to one, is like his best friend. She is superb as are so many others. We could not have asked for a better school. Thanks for giving my kids the best start to school life.

Meet the Governors

The Governing Body's Core Functions

In order to achieve the goal of promoting high standards of educational achievement, the governing body has a strong focus on three core strategic functions. Briefly explained these are:

1. Ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction. For example, by agreeing school policies and concurring content & priorities for improvement in the school development plan.
2. To hold the head teacher to account for the educational performance of the school and its pupils, and the performance management of the staff. For example, asking questions, offering support, constructive advice, help improve proposals, monitor and evaluate school performance, performance management of the head teacher.
3. Overseeing the financial performance of the school and making sure its money is well spent. For example, checking that resources are allocated in line with the school's strategic priorities, benchmarking spend with similar schools, questioning value for money with budgetary spend.

Our Governors have their own Code of Conduct which they all adhere to.

So what's the role of Governors?

The Full Governing Body (FGB) has general responsibility for the conduct of the school with a view to promoting high standards of educational achievement. The Governors are the strategic leaders of our school and have a vital role to play in making sure every child gets the best possible education. The day to day business of school life remains the responsibility of the head teacher and the senior leadership team.

Governors need to know their school. Our governors find that visiting, particularly during the day and during termly parents’ evenings, is a helpful way to find out more about our school. These visits also provide an opportunity to talk with children, staff and parents to gather their views and swiftly refer any concerns for an immediate resolution.

The Governing Body is made up of volunteers who represent different stakeholders in our school community: the Foundation (Church); Parents; local community; staff and Local Authority.

Our FGB meet formally each term as well as meeting for development and training/information sessions. In addition the FGB delegates certain responsibilities to three main sub-committees that meet termly and each have a particular focus:

Curriculum & Standards
Personnel & Finance
Health, Safety & Premises

Governing Body Diversity

As a school we recognise that a diversity of thought, voices and perspectives is essential to good governance and the effective running of any organisation. We regularly collect diversity information from our governors and, depending on current data, can use this to:

target recruitment to address gaps in experience and diversity
develop and adapt board practices to ensure full participation
prioritise training and awareness-raising in identified areas
address potential ‘blind spots’ through seeking wider advice and perspectives on current and upcoming opportunities, challenges and risks

However, we are unable to publish this information as it would mean that individual members of our governing body are identifiable.