Terms of Reference

This page shows the terms of Reference for our governing body’s committees. They are taken from the governing body’s policy of the same name. That policy was last reviewed on 28th September 2016 and will be reviewed again in Autumn 2017.

In reviewing this policy and making decisions regarding the terms of reference of the governing body due consideration has been given to Equality Legislation.

Admissions Committee

Name of Committee Admissions
Status of Committee Statutory
Membership Three governors consisting of the Head Teacher, the Chair of Governors and a Foundation Governor.  If any two of these positions are held by the same person, a fourth governor is appointed at the first Full Governing body meeting of the autumn term.
Chair of Meetings The Chair of Governors
Clerking Clerk to the Governors
Meetings The Admissions Committee will meet in the event that too many children have applied for the available spaces in the school for a particular year group.
Quorum Three Governors
Voting The Chair of Governors has the casting vote
Responsibilities/Powers To consider and make decisions regarding which children will be offered a place at the school in accordance with the school’s Admissions Policy.
Minutes Minutes to be produced by the clerk and circulated to members within one week of the meeting taking place.  They will be confidential to members of the committee.

 

Pupil Discipline Committee

Name of Committee Pupil Discipline
Status of Committee Statutory
Membership Three Governors one of which will be the Teacher Governor.  The three other Governors will be appointed at the first Full Governing Body meeting of the autumn term but if any of these Governors has previous knowledge of the subject of the discipline or are known personally to the parents or pupils involved, they must be replaced by another member of the Governing body.  The Head Teacher and Chair of Governors are excluded from membership of this committee.
Appointment of Chair Appointment of the chair is delegated to members of the Committee
Clerking Clerk to the Governors
Meetings As required to hear exclusion appeals
Quorum Three Governors
Voting The Chair of the Committee will have the casting vote
Responsibilities/Powers To hear appeals from pupils and parents on permanent and temporary exclusions.

The committee can also meet if there is concern about the number of temporary exclusions a particular pupil has received or the pupil is likely to miss public examinations as a result of the exclusion.
Minutes Minutes to be produced by the Clerk and circulated to members within one week of the meeting taking place.  They will be confidential to members of the Committee.

 

Staff Dismissal Committee

Name of Committee Staff Dismissal
Status of Committee Statutory
Membership Three Governors including the Chair of Governors.  The other governors will be appointed at the first Full Governing Body meeting in the autumn term.  If this governor has an interest in the staff under discussion another Governor will replace them.
Appointment of Chair The Chair of Governors
Clerking The Clerk to the Governors.
Meetings The Committee shall meet as required according to the Governing Body commission.

The CSA will be informed and consulted when a meeting is called.
Quorum Three Governors.
Voting The Chair of Governors has the casting vote.
Responsibilities/Powers To consider and make any initial decisions, in accordance with CSA procedures about:

  • Staff capability
  • Staff discipline
  • Dismissal of staff
Minutes Minutes to be produced by the clerk and circulated to members within one week of the meeting taking place.  They will be confidential to members of the committee.

 

Appeals Committee

Name of Committee Appeals
Status of Committee Statutory
Membership Three Governors excluding Governors with an interest requiring them to withdraw and Governors who sat on the committee that made the decision about which there is an appeal.  The Governors will be appointed at the time that the committee is required to sit.
Appointment of Chair Appointment of the Chair will be delegated to the members of the Committee formed.
Clerking The Clerk to the Governors
Meetings As required according to Governing Body commission.  The CSA will be informed and consulted.
Quorum Three Governors
Voting The Chair of the Committee will have the casting vote
Responsibilities/Powers To consider and decide on any appeals against:

  • The decision of the Staff Dismissal Committee
  • The decision of the Pay Committee
Minutes Minutes to be produced by the Clerk and circulated to Committee members within one week of the meeting taking place.  They will be confidential to members of the Committee.

 

Appointments Committee

Name of Committee Appointments
Status of Committee Non statutory
Membership The Head Teacher, the Chair of Governors, the Vice-Chair of Governors and the Governor responsible for the curriculum area associated with the appointment to be made.  A Governor may hold more than one position on this Committee.
Appointment of Chair The Chair of the Governors.
Clerking A clerk will be appointed at the meeting.
Meetings As required to make an appointment.
Quorum Three Governors
Voting The Head Teacher will have the casting vote
Responsibilities/Powers
  • To shortlist applicants for a vacancy
  • To interview applicants for a vacancy
  • To make a decision on which applicant should be employed; further interviews may be necessary in order to determine this.
Minutes Minutes to be produced by the Clerk and circulated to Committee members within one week of the meeting taking place.  They will be confidential to members of the Committee.

 

Pay Committee

Name of Committee Pay
Status of Committee Non Statutory (but strongly recommended)
Membership Four Governors to include the Head Teacher, the Chair of the Governors and the Chair of the Finance Committee.  The other Governor required to take the total number of members of the Committee up to four will be appointed at the first Full Governors’ meeting of the autumn term.
Appointment of Chair The Chair of the Governors
Clerking The Clerk to the Governors
Meetings Once a year, normally in the autumn term, unless special meetings are required
Quorum Three Governors
Voting The Chair of the Governors has the casting vote
Responsibilities/Powers
  • To review the salaries of teachers as prescribed by the Whole School Pay policy and notify them in writing of the basis on which their place on the pay spine has been determined
  • To use information provided by Appointed Governors regarding the Head Teacher’s performance with respect to her objectives to determine the Head’s place on the pay spine.
  • To use information provided by the Head Teacher regarding the Deputy Head’s objectives to determine her place on the pay spine.
  • To undertake a salary review when directed by the governing body.
  • To make recommendations to the Governing Body for ratification.
Minutes Minutes to be produced by the Clerk and circulated to Committee members within one week of the meeting taking place.  They will be confidential to members of the Committee.

 

Finance Committee

Name of Committee Finance
Status of Committee Non statutory
Membership Four Governors to include the Head Teacher and the Chair of the Governors.  The other Governors will be appointed at the first meeting of the Full Governing Body in the autumn term.  The Finance Officer is attends meetings of this Committee.
Appointment of Chair A Chair will be appointed at the first meeting of the Full Governing Body in the autumn term.
Clerking The Clerk to the Governors
Meetings Meetings will take place once a term prior to the first Full Governors’ meeting of that term. The Committee will report back to the Governing Body in the second Full Governors’ meeting of the term.
Quorum Three governors
Voting The Chair of Governors has the casting vote
Responsibilities/Powers To work closely with the Head Teacher to:

  • Provide guidance to the governing body on all financial matters
  • Prepare and review statements of financial policy in both the short and longer term
  • Prepare and present a budget for the Governing Body’s approval for the General Annual Grant (GAG) monies and any other income or carry forward sums, taking into account the priorities in the school improvement plan
  • Monitor the budget using information provided by the Head and Finance Officer, ensuring that spending remains within prescribed limits
  • Report the financial situation each term and make recommendations where necessary
  • Approve an appropriate level of delegation to the Head Teacher for the day-to-day financial management of the school as stated in the school’s financial policy
  • Respond appropriately to audit report recommendations
  • Audit all non-public funds for presentation to the Governing Body
  • Audit and approve the equipment inventory and authorise disposal as specified in the financial policy
  • Ensure the principles of best value are applied to services purchased with delegated monies and approve the Value For Money Statement.
  • Approve the virement of funds within budget headings up to limits specified in the financial policy
  • Prepare, for approval by the Governing Body, all major capital expenditure proposals
  • Oversee the preparation and implementation of capital and service contracts
  • Prepare, approve and monitor all policies relating to financial management
  • Review and approve contracts
  • Approve and action the Financial Risk and Control Checklist
  • Complete the Schools Financial Value Standard Assessment and approve
  • Complete governor competencies
Minutes Minutes to be produced by the Clerk and circulated to Committee members within two weeks of the meeting taking place.  All members of the Governing Body will receive the minutes.

 

Health and Safety Committee

Name of Committee Health and Safety
Status of Committee Non Statutory
Membership Three Governors appointed at the first Full Governors’ meeting of the autumn term.
Appointment of Chair A Chair will be appointed at the first meeting of the Full Governing Body in the autumn term.
Clerking The Clerk to the Governors
Meetings Meetings will take place once a term.  The Committee will report back to the Governing Body in the first Full Governors’ meeting of the term.
Quorum Two Governors
Voting The Chair of the Committee will have the casting vote
Responsibilities/Powers To work closely with the Head Teacher to:

  • Consider all matters relating to the buildings and grounds, including security and health and safety matters
  • Inspect the premises each term and present a statement of priorities for maintenance and development for the approval of the Governing Body
  • Approve the costs and arrangements for caretaking duties and improvements relating to health and safety issues; refer spending to the Finance Committee above £100
  • Ensure the school complies with health and safety regulations in collaboration with the LEA and diocese
  • Prepare, implement, monitor and evaluate a Health and Safety policy in line with legislation and recommendations of the LEA and diocese on behalf of the Governing Body
  • Prepare, approve and monitor building and health related policies
  • Prepare, approve and monitor arrangements for risk management
  • Ensure that recommendations for action following inspections and audits are satisfactorily carried out
  • Regularly review the school’s accident book and take necessary action to improve any areas for concern highlighted as a result
  • To carry out an annual fire risk assessment of the school premises
Minutes Minutes to be produced by the Clerk and circulated to Committee members within two weeks of the meeting taking place.  All members of the Governing Body will receive the minutes.

 

Performance Management Committee

Name of Committee Performance Management
Status of Committee Non Statutory
Membership Three Governors to include the Chair of the Governors.  The other two governors will be appointed at the first meeting of the Governing Body in the autumn term.
Appointment of Chair The Chair of Governors
Clerking A clerk will be appointed at the meeting.
Meetings Once a year, normally in the autumn term, unless special meetings are required
Quorum Two Governors
Voting The Chair of the Governors has the casting vote
Responsibilities/Powers
  • To carry out assessment of performance of staff
  • To consider the headteachers’s targets and adopt them.
Minutes Minutes to be produced by the Clerk and circulated to Committee members within one week of the meeting taking place.  They will be confidential to members of the Committee.