4.0 GOVERNANCE

The school’s governors work to support students and to provide strategic direction for the school.

4A STANDARD

All governors / proprietors meet all the requirements for adults with access to young people reinforcing the importance of safeguarding within the school

COMMENTARY

Thorough and appropriate identity and criminal record checks are in place to ensure that the Board of Trustees meet all requirements in terms of safeguarding and working with young people. All members have received EduCare training in safeguarding, and this will be regularly updated. These checks recorded on the SCR and kept in central files.

There is a specific member of the Board with an area of responsibility for safeguarding and one for Health and Safety. These are both standing agenda items in meetings.

The DGS is an active member of the school community within her role. She has received advanced Level Three training in safeguarding and meets regularly with the school Designated Safeguarding Leads. This ensures the capacity for disclosures to be made which are independent of the school team and offers an additional level of safeguarding.

NEXT STEPS

Ensure that all governors are updated with developments in safeguarding, both in the UK and Russia, and keep records of these.

4B STANDARD

Measures are in place for governors to register interests and to manage any conflicts of interest

COMMENTARY

The Board has a detailed Conflict of Interest Policy, defining the potential conflicts of interest that could occur. The school requires all members to declare any conflicts of interest. This is a standing item on Board agendas. The policy details how the Board should report any conflicts and action that should be taken should they arise. This is taken most seriously by the Board.

The procedures are clear and well documented in the policy’s regulations. A register is kept, using a well-constructed form to be completed for any declarations. The policy is reviewed annually. There are currently no conflicts of interest noted.

NEXT STEPS

None noted.

4C STANDARD

There are written procedures / protocols for the remit of the work of the governing body

COMMENTARY

Clear structures are in place, detailing the work and responsibilities within the Board, and the delegated powers of the Headteacher. There is a comprehensive code of conduct, which outlines the expected behaviour of the governing body. The Board play an active role in the school, for example, one member of the Board acted as a judge in the school poetry competition during the compliance visit.

There are regular meetings held both in person and online, and high-quality governance is seen as being essential to the success of the school. Discussion showed that members of the Board knew which area of the protocol they are personally responsible for, and the responsibilities of other Board members. The policy and protocols are reviewed annually.

NEXT STEPS

Monitor and review annually in accordance with the policy.

4D STANDARD

There is appropriate supportfor new governors

COMMENTARY

A full induction process has been identified to ensure that any new members are fully briefed on their role. The process involves tours of the site and introductions to members of the Board and the headteacher. Safeguarding training is provided for new members.

There is currently not a mentor from the current Board assigned to help any new member with transition into the role.

Induction ensures that the new member receives the appropriate documentation to allow them to understand both the school and the role.

NEXT STEPS

Assign a mentor from the current Board of Trustees to any new member.

4E STANDARD

Governors have a commitment to their own training anddevelopment

COMMENTARY

The Board have a clear commitment to training, in line with the vision of the school to continue to develop. All governors receive training in safeguarding as a priority.

Detailed records of completion are kept. Members of the Board have demonstrated their commitment to their own training and development in a number of other areas of significance on a whole school basis.

Evidence has been seen of the completion of training in areas such as Health and Safety, Mental Health and Well-being, Online Safety, Fire Safety and Safer Recruitment. In discussion, members of the Board spoke of the positive impact that such training had on their roles, and for the school. They reiterated their continued commitment to training and development.

COMMENDATION

The governors are to be commended for their commitment to their own training.

NEXT STEPS

Continue the commitment to expand training and development opportunities.

4F STANDARD

The governors provide records of meetings and decisions which show evidence of active and committed governance The profiles and contact details for the governors are available to parents along with key policies

COMMENTARY

The Board of Trustees meet regularly, and appropriate records of meetings and decisions are available. There are detailed minutes produced, alongside action plans and outcomes following action being taken. The Board of Trustees are clearly active and easily accessible to support the schools at times other than in official meetings.

Copies of key policies are on the school website and parents reported that they were aware of how to find them. The Board provide annual reports and have met with parents on scheduled occasions in school.

There is currently no school specific Complaints Policy to outline procedures for contacting key staff and members of the Board. Parents commented that they can contact the Board of Trustees via Instagram or Facebook and had previously met them at meetings. The parents interviewed, however, did not know of any formal procedures, or email access to the Board in order to make any formal complaints.

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