Governor Impact Statement

July 2023

Earlsfield's Governing Board has three key responsibilities:

Ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction - they help decide the school’s strategy for improvement. It’s not their job to get involved in the day-to-day management of the school but to focus on key issues that will raise standards and achievement.
Holding the headteacher to account for the educational performance of the school and its pupils, and the performance management of staff - they use their knowledge and experience to support and challenge (in a constructive way) the headteacher and staff so as to get the best possible teaching and outcomes.
Overseeing the financial performance of the school and making sure its money is well spent – they work with the staff to ensure that the school makes best use of its resources.

Impact

This has been another busy and successful year for the school. The Governing Board has remained as keen as ever to support, build upon and celebrate the school’s many achievements.

The successful retention of our OFSTED Outstanding rating in March is testament to the hard work and dedication of every member of staff, and the Governing Board could not be more grateful for all contributions made by staff across the school and the continued support from the wider community which was reflected in the extraordinary number of responses we had from parents and carers during the Ofsted process. We are very proud of what the school continues to achieve.

The Governing Board also have a key part to play in the Ofsted process and were available to meet with the Ofsted inspector to demonstrate that we fulfil our important role in maintaining strategic oversight of the School and the SLT and holding them to account for the continued high performance of our pupils. This year the Governing Board have had oversight and input into a number of school priorities including:

Fullan’s 6C’s: Seeing how they are embedded into the curriculum and the positive impact they have on pupils.
Budget: Supporting the school navigating these unprecedented times of uncertainty, balancing an increase in costs whilst maintaining the highest standards
Rights Respecting School practice: As a Gold Award school ensuring RRS language remains embedded, understood by all and clearly visible throughout the school together with the school values.
Academic attainment monitoring: Ensuring every pupil continues to achieve their potential whether it be via SEND support or a range of challenging texts to support all learners.
Curriculum diversity review: Supporting the school as it continues to ensure it remains reflective of all members of the community.

This taken a number of forms from visiting the school and speaking to a range of staff and students, attending events from assemblies to learning walks, to hosting surveys and welcome desks to ensure we are able to speak to and learn from a range of contributors to the school community.

We remain impressed and inspired by the endless dedication of our SLT, the enthusiasm of staff and the bright and curious minds they inspire and continue to encourage and assist to become the best versions of themselves to achieve their potential.

We are always happy to discuss any aspects of the Governing board in more detail and can be contacted at: governors@earlsfield.wandsworth.sch.uk