Best Governing Body Structures and Systems David Silver

Best Governing Body Structures and Systems David Silver Chair of Governors Radyr Comprehensive School North Cardiff GIG - 2019 1

Best Governing Body Structures and Systems Role of Governors Strategic Role Provides a strategic view of the school by establishing a vision and setting the purpose and aims of the school within an agreed policy framework. It appoints and performance manages the head teacher, agreeing the school improvement strategy which includes setting statutory targets with supporting budgets and staffing structures. Monitors and evaluates the work of the school by reviewing the performance of the head teacher, the effectiveness of the school improvement strategy. Signs off the self evaluation process and responds to school improvement service and ESTYN reports as necessary. In addition it holds the head teacher to account for the performance of the school and ensures that parents are involved, consulted and informed as appropriate, with information to the community being made available as required. Accountability – Governors work together with the headteacher and staff of a school to make sure that schools provide successful teaching and learning for our children and raise standards. – Governing bodies exist so that schools are publicly accountable to all stakeholders for what they do, for the results they achieve, and for the way in which the resources are allocated. Challenge How does Committee Structure impact on this Full GB or committees Efficient use of time North Cardiff GIG - 2019 2

Best Governing Body Structures and Systems • Governors are all volunteers and busy people who give their time and effort freely to their school. It is essential that the Governing Body fulfils their three roles. These take time so it is important that the GB committee structures and systems allow these to be achieved efficiently and effectively. No one wants to spend time discussing issues which should be dealt with elsewhere. North Cardiff GIG - 2019 3

Best Governing Body Structures and Systems • Potential problems with structures – Too many meetings – Not Strategic but administrative – Ineffective use of time – Meetings too long – Committees not achieving expected outcomes governing Body – Overlap between various committees and with full Governing Body North Cardiff GIG - 2019 4

Best Governing Body Structures and Systems • Potential problems – Systems not working – Timing of meetings – Papers available on time – Papers presented not designed for GB – With too many committees Governors can be spread too thinly with not enough members to keep committees functioning effectively North Cardiff GIG - 2019 5

Best Governing Body Structures and Systems • Potential problems with structures – Besides statutory committees many governing Bodies still have a Finance , Staffing/Personnel Facilities, Development Committee – Is this suitable for the current situation in your school – There is no best structure for all schools and all schools need to decide what works best for them North Cardiff GIG - 2019 6

Best Governing Body Structures and Systems • Examples of three schools with three different structures • Currently all feel the work for them • All have reviewed their systems and made changes to suit their own school • No one structure is correct for all North Cardiff GIG - 2019 7

Best Governing Body Structures and Systems Radyr Comp Committee Structure • Full GB meet 6 times a year • Resources Committee meet 6 times a year • Standards Committee meet 6 times a year • Development Committee meet at least 3 times a year • • Staff Dismissal/Disciplinary/Redundancy Determining Committee Appeals for Above Grievance Committee Appeals for Above Head Teacher Performance Management Appeals for above Pupil Discipline Committee Complaints committee North Cardiff GIG - 2019 8

Best Governing Body Structures and Systems • Case Study - Radyr Comprehensive – original structure – new structure – What were the problems – What actions were taken – Outcomes – What happened next – Other systems/areas reviewed – What next North Cardiff GIG - 2019 9

Best Governing Body Structures and Systems • Original structure • • Finance Committee Development Committee Staffing Committee Premises Committee • New Structure • Resources committee • Standards Committee • Development Committee North Cardiff GIG - 2019 10

Best Governing Body Structures and Systems • What were the problems • • Overlap between committees, If Staffing or premises made a decision involving finance it had to go back to the next finance committee Some items discussed at two/three committees then at Full GB Far too much detail discussed. With 4 committees, often committees were low on numbers. Non Strategic, why does it need a full committee to review all previous months spending Some important areas such as Standards were hardly being discussed at committees Standards, which school was judged on and new initiatives all lumped together with not enough time to deal with either properly Both Chair of Governors and Head Teacher agreed that the current structure was outdated and no longer met our needs. North Cardiff GIG - 2019 11

Best Governing Body Structures and Systems – Decided what we felt was best and wrote a paper for the GB jointly • • • Put 3 committees into one ; Finance, staffing and premises Three committees used to meet for 90 minutes each New Resources Committee meeting only 90 minutes One Governor delegated to meet Business Manager to go through detailed figures Resources Committee look at main issues Two Governors plus Site manager meet to review all premises and H&S items They report back to Resources Committee All review staffing issues Allows decisions to be made at the committee or referred up to Full GB North Cardiff GIG - 2019 12

Best Governing Body Structures and Systems • New standards committee has much more time to deal with standards/targets etc • Development Committee looks at new initiatives/curriculum. Meets at least once a term but more often if needed. North Cardiff GIG - 2019 13

Best Governing Body Structures and Systems • Standards committee Terms of Reference • To provide the governing body with overviews and reports on standards, in terms of: • Results, trends in performance and expected results compared with national averages, similar schools and prior attainment; performance of groups of learners, for example those with special educational needs and those pupils eligible for free school meals; the quality of learning and teaching. • • • These would be evidenced by: data sets/packs, FFT Aspire, internal data capture points, lesson observations, halftermly work scrutiny, learning walks, peer reviews. • To provide the governing body with overviews and reports on standards of wellbeing, in terms of: • • the extent to which pupils feel safe in school and understand how they can live healthy lives; pupils’ participation and enjoyment in learning and the extent to which they have a say in what and how they learn; community involvement and pupils’ involvement in decision-making; how well pupils show respect, care and concern for others and whether they take on responsibility for their actions and work. These would be evidenced by: attendance figures, exclusion figures, behaviour data, participation rates in extracurricular activities, learner voice, pupil parliament minutes. • • • North Cardiff GIG - 2019 14

Best Governing Body Structures and Systems • Development Committee Terms of Reference • • To review curriculum and related policies and make recommendations to the governing body; To review and recommend to the governing body the priorities in the context of the School Improvement Plan; To provide the governing body with overviews and reports on initiatives to improve the quality of learning and teaching; To provide the governing body with information regarding how targets are set using data from outside organisations eg: Fischer Family Trust, ALPS; To provide the governing body with information about how the curriculum is taught, evaluated and resourced (including subject options in KS 4 and KS 5); To provide the governing body with overviews and reports on initiatives to improve the quality of curriculum and assessment; To provide the governing body with overviews and reports if needed on initiatives to improve the quality of wellbeing and inclusion; To keep up to date, through invited presentations, on whole school developments that impact on academic standards. • • • North Cardiff GIG - 2019 15

Best Governing Body Structures and Systems • TERMS OF REFERENCE OF THE RESOURCES COMMITTEE • • Membership A minimum of seven members to include Chair and/or Vice Chair of the Governing Body and the Headteacher. • • Quorum Four members two of whom must not be employees of the school. • • Frequency of Meetings The committee shall meet as necessary but not less than once per term. • • Terms of Reference To manage resources in an effective and efficient manner. • To implement the school pay policy as agreed by governors and to review it annually to ensure that the policy meets the needs of the school. • To monitor staffing levels and forecast staffing. • To review the criteria to be used in making Teaching and Learning and other responsibility allowances, and to review the school’s staffing structure. • To review the salary of every member of staff annually. • To review the procedures for the recruitment of staff. • To ensure that all staff are aware of disciplinary and grievance procedures. North Cardiff GIG - 2019 16

• To consider employee contract requests and handle disciplinary and grievance meetings, as required. • To keep all Human Resource Policies and Procedures under review and to recommend changes to the Governing Body where appropriate. • To consider and advise the Governing Body on all aspects of finance and any matters relating to the Governors’ financial responsibilities. • To propose an annual budget for the school. To monitor spending against budget during the financial year on a regular termly basis and to report on significant issues to the Governing Body. • To oversee longer term financial planning and resourcing in the context of the School Improvement Plan, numbers, the policies and objectives of the school, and to advise the Governing Body as appropriate. To ensure that expenditure of the school’s finances reflects the School Improvement Plan, where appropriate. • To agree a framework and level of charges payable to the school for the use of school premises where appropriate and annually review all charges levied by the school. • To agree a financial statement that will comprise part of the Annual Report to Parents. • To authorise expenditure between £ 10, 000 and £ 20, 000, to authorise virement of monies within the approved budget where the sum exceeds £ 10, 000 but is less than £ 20, 000 and to make recommendations to the full Governing Body on any proposed virement greater than £ 20, 000. • To ensure that all contracts between £ 3, 000 and £ 20, 000 are arranged and managed in accordance with the procedures outlined in the Schools’ Contract Guidance Notes. • To receive and approve the annual audited accounts of the school’s unofficial fund(s). • To authorise the disposal or write-off of stock. • To develop and review Health and Safety Policies and plans. To ensure appropriate inspections and audits are carried out and that appropriate actions are put in place to rectify any non-compliance. • To review, cost and examine facility improvement and annual maintenance plans. • In any situation where a vote is taken, the Chair. North has a Cardiff casting GIG vote- in event of a tie. 2019 17

Best Governing Body Structures and Systems What Happened Next Reviewed structure after 12 months and decided it was working well and meeting our needs. No case of Resources lasting more than 90 minutes. All Committee meeting are now more strategic and no repetition Is this the structure for all GBs No – each has to decide what meets their need, to allow suitable challenge and strategic direction Local Primary School has gone from 4 committees to 2 due to similar problems meeting quorum with a smaller number of Governors North Cardiff GIG - 2019 18

Best Governing Body Structures and Systems • Other systems Link Governors – Never worked properly – Tried links to Departments, Faculties but many visits outstanding at end of year. – Now trying new approach. – Group of 2/3 Governors linked to a school priority – Instead of SLT members reporting on progress with SIP this can now be done by Governors jointly with SLT member. This should ensure that Governors are involved with key priorities and know what progress is being made. – Agreed by all Governors at GB meeting, though some still reluctant to join a group North Cardiff GIG - 2019 19

Best Governing Body Structures and Systems • School Improvement Plan new format • Plan itself 3 columns, – success criteria, – Key actions/Staff/Timescale – Monitoring and evaluation • School Improvement Plan Evaluation Document – – – Red/yellow/amber/green for each priority area What went well Even better if Next steps An Appendix with explanation of acronyms North Cardiff GIG - 2019 20

Best Governing Body Structures and Systems • Carried out skills audit of all Governors – Allows us to identify areas where we have a missing skill or are short of people. We then try and rectify this with next recruitment of Community or LA Governors – This is now being repeated for the new Governors who have joined the GB in the last 18 months to keep audit up to date Committee Meetings now held two weeks before GB to ensure enough time to get minutes out to Governors North Cardiff GIG - 2019 21

Best Governing Body Structures and Systems What Next • All our systems are open to review, even if they appear to be working well • Always look for improvements • Ensure systems meet your needs as you know your school and others do not. Don’t just copy but improve them to meet your requirements North Cardiff GIG - 2019 22

Best Governing Body Structures and Systems CASE STUDY 2 Llanishen High School Cardiff David Mills, Chair of Governors, April 2019 North Cardiff GIG - 2019 23

Best Governing Body Structures and Systems • Original structure Governing Body Teaching, Learning & Evaluation Finance & Resources Working Party North Cardiff GIG - 2019 24

Best Governing Body Structures and Systems What were the problems? • The two main committees (Finance & Resources and Teaching, Learning & Evaluation) met on same night and immediately before Full Governing Body (FGB) – – In attempting to reduce the number of days governors had to attend meetings, the impact was that governors often had to attend in excess of four hours of meetings in a single evening – quality of decision making by tired attendees was questionable, especially for those who had already completed a full day’s work. Reports from sub-committees were verbal as members of the committees made their way straight into the full governing body meeting. At the FGB meeting, governors had little time to consider/reflect and/or challenge what was reported – again, quality of decision making was questionable • The remits of the two committees were growing and there was insufficient time to deal with the work required (eg policies, H&S matters, wellbeing, etc) • There was a concern that having half of all governors on each committee meant that not all attendees had the opportunity to contribute – this might have been restricting individual development • The work taken on by the Governor Working Party was ever increasing but was not a formal part of the governance structure and did not include an appropriate level of representation from the subcommittees. North Cardiff GIG - 2019 25

Best Governing Body Structures and Systems What actions were taken? • To ensure that we had as full a picture of the issues as possible, all governors were given the opportunity to provide feedback and this was split into three areas: – The current committee structure (eg: Were the responsibilities of each committee appropriate? ) – The policies reviewed and approved by governors (eg: Which should be reviewed by governors and which not; period between reviews; roles and responsibilities between staff, SLT and governors) – The effectiveness of the governing body. The Governor Wales School Self Evaluation Framework was used which was based on the Estyn Inspection Framework in place at that time. It was designed to highlight areas of strength and weakness in the governing body. • The feedback received was collated and themes identified were fed into the annual Strategy Day held by the governing body. Following discussion in groups, feedback was collected for consideration by the Governor Working Party which then circulated a proposal for consideration at the next meeting of the FGB. North Cardiff GIG - 2019 26

Best Governing Body Structures and Systems • The FGB agreed that: – A 3 rd committee, School Community & Wellbeing would be created to focus on staff and pupil well-being which were previously split between the two existing committees. – The Teaching, Learning & Evaluation Committee would be renamed Teaching, Curriculum and Outcomes to reflect its revised focus. – The Governor Working Party would be made a formal committee called Governance with two representatives from each of the other committees. – To ease transition to the new structure the committees (with the exception of Governance) would continue to meet on the same night and immediately before the FGB meeting until the Spring term. – Ideally committee meetings would take no more than 90 minutes and the full governing body meeting 2 hours. – The following timetable was agreed from the start of Spring term: • • Governance – Week 1 TCO, SCW & F&R – Week 2 FGB – Week 4 Arrangements were also put in place for the provision of reports from each of the committees to ensure they were ready for circulation with all other FGB papers. North Cardiff GIG - 2019 27

Best Governing Body Structures and Systems • New structure Governing Body Finance & Resources Teaching, Curriculum & Outcomes School Community & Well-being Governance North Cardiff GIG - 2019 28

Best Governing Body Structures and Systems • At the same time, arrangements for policy reviews were agreed as follows: – Policies to be reviewed confirmed at the first Committee meetings of the year in October & the responsible staff member identified and a contact governor. – Each responsible staff member advised by HT of • the requirement for a policy review • the name of the governor contact • that the policy should be reviewed, rewritten as necessary and shared with the contact governor by end of November. – Contact governor to provide their feedback by the end of the autumn term – Drafts of all reviewed & revised policies circulated by the Clerk to the GB to all governors at the start of January – governors given until end January to offer any comments. – During February, comments received considered by responsible staff member & contact governor – Final drafts circulated for approval at Committee meetings in March – need for any extensive discussion should have been removed by prior circulation & opportunity for comment. – Committee recommends approval to FGB – no discussion should be necessary. – Each Committee can decide at stage 1 whether this timetable works for each policy review and vary it if there is either an urgent need for review or external circumstances dictate a later timescale within the school year e. g. in 2017 -18 for the Data Protection Act and Internet Access & e-Safety policies where the legal requirements were changing. North Cardiff GIG - 2019 29

Best Governing Body Structures and Systems What benefits were achieved by the changes? • As all agreed changes were in place at the start of the Spring term it was recognised that they needed to be given a chance to bed-in before reviewing their effectiveness. As a result, the first formal review was conducted at the annual Strategy Day in June. • It was agreed that the anticipated benefits had been achieved, ie: The movement of the committee meetings from the same night to two weeks before the main governing body meeting, meant that governors were now able to reflect on the written report from each committee prior to the FGB meeting and were better informed as a result. – In addition to being better informed, less time could be spent on reporting back and more spent on discussion of key issues. – The division of responsibilities between three committees meant that each meeting could be kept to 90 minutes (with appropriate focus and chairing) – The move from a Governor Working Party to a formal Governance Committee meeting a week before the other 3 committees allowed that committee to have the correct level of representation – this comprised the Chair and one other member of each sub-committee, two members of the senior leadership team and the FGB vice-chair as Chair of Governance. – North Cardiff GIG - 2019 30

Best Governing Body Structures and Systems • Finance & Resources Committee Terms of Reference • • Membership: Up to 7 members of the Governing Body plus up to 2 members of the school's senior leadership team and one of the Governing Body's student observers. The Chair and Vice Chair of the Committee to be appointed by the Governing Body. Quorum: Half the number of members rounded up, excluding vacancies. Pupil representatives do not count towards the quorum. Meetings: 6 times a year, twice in each school term, reporting to the Full Governing Body Terms of Reference To establish priorities for expenditure and ensure these support the school development plan To present the recommended annual budget to the GB for approval; monitor spending throughout the year; investigate variances and as necessary report these to the GB. To ensure the effective functioning of processes for monitoring and handling income and expenditure and compliance with Cardiff County Council's financial regulations. To recommend charges for the use of the premises and any other services provided; to consider marketing and public relations. (continued on next slide) North Cardiff GIG - 2019 31

Best Governing Body Structures and Systems Finance & Resources Committee Terms of Reference (continued) • • • To recommend charges for the use of the premises and any other services provided; to consider marketing and public relations. To review as appropriate service level agreements with Cardiff CC and other service contracts To improve the sustainability of the school estate To recommend for GB approval and monitor the spending priorities for the year To provide support and guidance to the head teacher on all matters relating to the school premises, their security and health and safety issues. To ensure that the governing body’s responsibilities regarding accessibility are discharged in accordance with equalities legislation. To consider and as appropriate determine matters relating to the recruitment and pay of staff including the staffing structure & the financial impact of the performance management of staff. To contribute to the development & monitoring of the School Development Plan The Committee also has responsibility for keeping under review a number of school policies and considering proposed revisions before they are submitted to the GB for approval. North Cardiff GIG - 2019 32

Best Governing Body Structures and Systems Teaching, Curriculum & Outcomes Committee Terms of Reference • • • Membership: Up to 7 governors appointed by the full governing body plus up to 2 members of the school's senior leadership team and one of the Governing Body's student observers. The Chair of the Committee to be appointed by the Governing Body. Quorum: Half the number of members rounded up, excluding vacancies. Pupil representatives do not count towards the quorum. Meetings: 6 times a year, twice in each school term reporting to the Full Governing Body Terms of Reference • To monitor progress on improving the quality of whole school teaching and learning • To monitor progression of pupils by reference to maximising student outcomes including the attainment of pupils in receipt of free school meals. • To consider delivery and development of the curriculum so as to meet changing pupil needs including implementation of the digital competency framework • To examine achievement targets and examination and assessment results • To monitor progress in improving pupil outcomes in literacy and numeracy • To contribute to development & monitoring of the School Development Plan • The Committee also has responsibility for keeping under review a number of school policies and considering proposed revisions before they are submitted to the GB for approval. North Cardiff GIG - 2019 33

Best Governing Body Structures and Systems School Community & Wellbeing Committee Terms of Reference • • • • Membership: Up to 7 members of the Governing Body plus up to 2 members of the school's senior leadership team and one of the Governing Body's student observers. The Chair of the Committee to be appointed by the Governing Body. Quorum: Half the number of members rounded up, excluding vacancies. Pupil representatives do not count towards the quorum. Meetings: 6 times a year, twice in each school term, reporting to the Full Governing Body Terms of Reference To consider issues relating to pupil wellbeing, including safeguarding. To consider how to seek and measure the views of pupils, staff and parents and the results of such assessments. To keep under review pupil attendance and the use of exclusions by the school. To monitor action to improve the behaviour, attendance and punctuality of pupils – including the development of restorative procedures and action to promote the inclusion of pupils vulnerable to disengagement. To keep school inclusion provision under review, including provision for pupils with additional needs To consider reports on and development of community partnerships To consider matters relating to the retention, professional development and well-being of staff, including staff absence To monitor and advise on retention of the Investors in People Award. To consider issues relating to the school's compliance with the Equality Act 2010 To contribute to development & monitoring of the School Development Plan The Committee also has responsibility for keeping under review a number of school policies and considering proposed revisions before they are submitted to the GB for approval. North Cardiff GIG - 2019 34

Best Governing Body Structures and Systems Governance Committee Terms of Reference • • • • Membership: Up to 7 members of the Governing Body plus up to 2 members of the school's senior leadership team. The Chair of the Committee to be the Vice-Chair of the Governing Body Quorum: The quorum shall be 4 members Meetings: 6 times a year, twice in each school term, reporting to the Full Governing Body. Meetings to take place 3 school weeks before FGB meetings. Terms of Reference Constitution and membership of the governing body Membership of committees and statutory panels Dates and outline agendas of full governing body (FGB) and committee meetings Link governor arrangements, including periodic review of issues raised and effectiveness Governor training and annual strategy day Governor area of the school website and document handling Clerking arrangements Self-evaluation of the work of the governing body Preparation of the GB annual report to parents Arrangements for approval of the annual school prospectus Arrangements for and timings of policy reviews. North Cardiff GIG - 2019 35

Best Governing Body Structures and Systems What Happened Next Reviewing and adjusting our structure and ways of working is an ongoing exercise. For example: Following the publication of a document by the local authority setting out a landlord/tenant obligations in respect of school estates and having taken note of the emergence of an even more robust H&S regime, we adjusted our structure to accommodate this. While H&S issues were already dealt with by the F&R committee it was agreed to create a H&S sub-committee to focus specifically on H&S issues. This sub-committee reports back to each F&R meeting. Its terms of reference are on the next slide. The changes to policy reviews were not as effective as had been hoped. Circulating draft policies well in advance of meetings to allow review and feedback proved successful and reduced the level of discussion at the meeting – the majority of policies submitted were passed without the need for further discussion. However, not all reviewers were able to meet the timescales put in place due to the volume of work required – this process is being reviewed. North Cardiff GIG - 2019 36

Best Governing Body Structures and Systems Premises and Health & Safety Sub-Committee Terms of Reference • • • • Membership: Up to three members of the governing body plus the head teacher, the business manager and the acting head of the estate’s team Quorum: The quorum shall be 3 members at least one of whom shall be a governor member. Meetings: The head teacher, the business manager and the acting head of the estate’s team hold an ‘estates meeting’ every Thursday at 9 -30 am. It is proposed that on each Thursday immediately prior to a meeting of the Finance and Resources Committee this ‘estates meeting’ be joined by the governor members of the sub committee and that meeting then be constituted as a formal meeting of the Premises and Health and Safety Sub Committee. Terms of Reference To report to the next meeting of the Finance and Resources Committee on the following matters: The latest RAMIS information and our level of compliance with statutory obligations (require detail of any statutory item that is not in date or any that are due in the next two months) A maintenance schedule of the school’s premises and equipment is in place and adhered to. (Details required of all maintenance items that overdue and why) An effective system for managing health and safety risks is in place The sustainability of the school estate is given full consideration. Accident/dangerous occurrence report (including near misses) Details of outstanding repairs/works Details of emergency alarm activations and any issues arising in the previous months Details of Health & Safety training to staff Accessibility North Cardiff GIG - 2019 37

Best Governing Body Structures and Systems CASE STUDY 3 Whitchurch High Foundation School Cardiff Joyce Slack, Chair of Governors, June 2019 North Cardiff GIG - 2019 38

Best Governing Body Structures and Systems Whitchurch High School Original structure Governing Body Meet 4 times/year Finance subcommittee Meet 5 times/year Curriculum & Achievement sub-committee Meet 4 times/year Building & Estates sub-committee Meet 3 times/year Other sub committees: • • • Pupil Exclusion Sub Committee Staff Disciplinary Sub Committee and Appeals Sub Committee Determining – Redundancy Sub Committee and Appeals Sub Committee Grievance Sub Committee and Appeals Sub Committee Complaints Sub Committee and Appeals Sub Committee Head Teacher Performance Management and Appeals Sub Committee North Cardiff GIG - 2019 39

Best Governing Body Structures and Systems The drivers for change: • Need to establish new sub committees to deal with additional strategic responsibilities associated with being a Foundation school ie, Admissions Sub Committee; Pay Sub Committee; • Desire for greater focus on standards and data analysis; and • Desire to allocate more time to investigate and develop strategic matters. North Cardiff GIG - 2019 40

Best Governing Body Structures and Systems Actions taken: – The options were discussed at a Full Governing Body and it was agreed to: • Split the Curriculum Sub Committee into Standards Sub Committee and separate Curriculum Sub Committee; • Establish an Admissions Sub Committee; and to • Create a Pay Sub Committee. North Cardiff GIG - 2019 41

Best Governing Body Structures and Systems Whitchurch High Foundation School New structure Governing Body Meet 4 times/year Building & Estates sub-committee Finance subcommittee Meet 3 times/year Meet 5 times/year Admissions sub-committee Curriculum sub-committee Meet 4 times/year Standards sub-committee Meet 4 times/year Meet termly and as required Pay sub-committee North Cardiff GIG - 2019 Meet as required 42

Best Governing Body Structures and Systems Outcomes: • Admissions Sub Committee manages the statutory and strategic requirements of the Admissions process. This sub committee has reviewed the capacity of the school; the Admission Number, and the options available for appeals. The annual admission cycle is now firmly embedded in the work of the governing body. • Standards Sub Committee has the opportunity to study data and analysis in more detail. Following on site data training for whole governing body there is greater knowledge and understanding leading to improved partnership working and informed challenge. • Pay Sub Committee As a Foundation school the governing body is the employer, responsible for: job evaluation; staff pay reviews; restructuring, etc. Since completing job evaluation there is a better understanding of the role and duties of staff needed within the school. The appeals process has enabled the governors to ensure parity whenever possible. North Cardiff GIG - 2019 43

Best Governing Body Structures and Systems Admissions Sub Committee Terms of Reference To manage the statutory admissions process on behalf of the governing body, reporting to full governing body meetings for approval whenever required. Quorum: The quorum for a meeting of the sub committee and for a vote to be taken, is one half (rounded up to a whole number) of the complete membership of the sub committee, excluding vacancies and any governor who may be suspended. • • • To prepare a draft Admission Policy each September to considered and approved by the full governing body. To consult on the draft Admission Policy in accordance with statutory requirements and report back to the full governing body on any suggested amendments before the agreed Admission Policy for the next academic year is published. To agree the first round of Admissions for the next academic year. To consider late applications, manage the waiting list, and the appeals processes. To check the capacity of the school in accordance with Welsh Government guidance and consider any implications regarding the Admission Number. Advise and report to the governing body accordingly. Manage in year admissions; SRB admissions; and sixth form admissions and appeals in accordance with the Admission Policy. North Cardiff GIG - 2019 44

Best Governing Body Structures and Systems Standards Sub Committee Terms of Reference To review standards and pupil outcomes, in terms of: projections, achievements and pupil well-being, reporting to full governing body meetings. Quorum: The quorum for a meeting of the sub committee and for a vote to be taken, is one half (rounded up to a whole number) of the complete membership of the sub committee, excluding vacancies and any governor who may be suspended. • • • To examine projections, trends in performance, and outcomes for all students Compare expected results with outcomes and with similar schools, local authority, Central South Consortium and National data. Consider the performance of certain groups of learners: boys/girls, FSM, ALN, LAC, MAT, etc. . Sub Committee will be updated each meeting on latest data information including FFT, ALPs, : data drops, etc. and pupil attendance and wellbeing including use of ACE and exclusion levels. North Cardiff GIG - 2019 45

Best Governing Body Structures and Systems Curriculum Sub Committee Terms of Reference To review curriculum and curriculum matters to ensure best practice and outcomes. Recommendations to governing body for consideration. Quorum: The quorum for a meeting of the sub committee and for a vote to be taken, is one half (rounded up to a whole number) of the complete membership of the sub committee, excluding vacancies and any governor who may be suspended. • • • To monitor and review curriculum; KS 4 option choices; Ks 5 provision; and subject viability at KS 4 and KS 5 taking into account the requirements of national policies To provide the governing body with overviews and reports on initiatives to improve the quality of learning and teaching; To provide the governing body with overviews and reports on initiatives to improve the quality of curriculum and assessment; To consider the School Improvement Plan and bring recommendations to the Full Governing Body To review school trips in accordance with agreed policy ensuring trips are accessible and add value to student experience North Cardiff GIG - 2019 46

Best Governing Body Structures and Systems Finance Sub Committee Terms of Reference To monitor and manage budget, income and expenditure in accordance with financial regulations, audit recommendations and good practice to ensure best use of school resources. Quorum: The quorum for a meeting of the sub committee and for a vote to be taken, is one half (rounded up to a whole number) of the complete membership of the sub committee, excluding vacancies and any governor who may be suspended. • • To consider and advise the Full Governing Body on all aspects of finance and any matters relating to the Governors’ financial responsibilities. To monitor the school finances and spending against budget during the financial year producing termly reports to Full Governing Body. . To oversee longer term financial planning and resourcing in the context of the School Improvement Plan and other strategic plans. To receive and approve the annual audited accounts of the school’s private fund all external audits. North Cardiff GIG - 2019 47

Best Governing Body Structures and Systems Building and Estates Sub Committee Terms of Reference To monitor and manage buildings and estates on both sites ensuring statutory compliance, good health and safety practices and best use of these resources. Quorum: The quorum for a meeting of the sub committee and for a vote to be taken, is one half (rounded up to a whole number) of the complete membership of the sub committee, excluding vacancies and any governor who may be suspended. • • To continue to monitor and review Health and Safety Policies and plans ensuring that appropriate actions are put in place to rectify any non-compliance. To review, cost and monitor annual maintenance plans and refurbishment works. To explore the opportunities for external lettings to ensure optimum use out of school hours To update Full Governing Body on work of sub committee at each meeting. North Cardiff GIG - 2019 48

Best Governing Body Structures and Systems What Happened Next The new committee structure has been well received by governors as they cover the existing and new statutory responsibilities, give governors an opportunity to develop further skills in different areas; governors report feeling more informed about their role and the school. Committee structure and membership is considered every Autumn Term. Induction programme established for new governors which also encourages their involvement in the sub committees relating to their areas of expertise. North Cardiff GIG - 2019 49