Governance

Cheam High School is part of the Cheam Academies Network (CAN) Multi-Academy Trust.  The Trust employs the staff, owns the site and holds overall responsibility for the finances of the Trust.  They are also responsible for the appointment and performance of the Headteacher of the school. Members of the Trust Board are called Directors of the Trust.  For more information about the Trust (or Company) please go the Trust Information page on the Trust website here.

The Trust is responsible for the Governance arrangements of the school.  The school's Governing Body undertakes much of this role.  The Trust provides a Scheme of Delegation which makes clear the responsibilities delegated to the Local Governing Body.

For more information about the Governance of the Trust, please go to the Governance page on the Trust website here.

What does the Governing Body do?

The Governing Body provides strategic leadership and holds the school to account for overall performance.  The Governing Body appoints teaching and support staff, is responsible for the site and prioritises and monitors expenditure of school finances. They also will take part in the appointment of the Headteacher and will appoint Deputy or Assistant Headteachers.

Amongst other things, the Governing Body will agree, or make recommendations to the Trust:

  • the aims and objectives for the school (see here)
  • the policies which provide a framework for the school's work (see here for policies relating to students and/or parents/carers) 
  • priorities for development each year
  • the annual financial budget across different areas of expenditure

 

They will also:

  • confirm or recommend the curriculum on offer
  • receive reports on performance, and act as a critical friend.  This will include:
    • the standards of teaching
    • students’ performance in public examinations
    • the quality of provision in the school for different subjects, different groups of students and those with particular needs

The Governing Body will also oversee the condition and safety of the site, developments in this area and also the financial health of the school.

Individual governors at Cheam High School can also take on an area of school provision as a particular interest.  These currently include:  Child Protection and Safeguarding, Literacy and English, Numeracy and Mathematics, Science, Languages, Arts, SEND, Citizenship, Post 16, Student Group Performance, Health and Safety and Behaviour and Attendance. 

Who is on the Governing Body?

A list of school governors can be found by clicking here.

A register of governors' business interests can be found by clicking here.

The Governing Body of Cheam High School has the following mandatory governor positions:

  • 2 parent governors (elected by parents of the school)
  • 2 staff governors (elected by staff in the school)
  • Ex officio Headteacher (this means that the Headteacher of the school is automatically a governor)
  • 1 Director (member of the Trust Board) who is appointed by the Trust Board
  • 4 governors appointed by the Governing Body

The Governing Body can also appoint additional governors where there is a need in terms of workload or skills needed to effectively fulfil their role.  The size of the Governing Body is limited to 20 governors. The maximum number of staff governors is limited to 3.

All governors have the same roles and responsibilities once part of the Governing Body.  Decisions are made collectively.  Terms of office are 4 years, except for the ex officio Headteacher.  Governors elect a Chairman of the Governing Body each year and also a Vice Chairman. 

Governing Body Key Foci and Committees:

Within the Governing Body, there are distinct areas of focus with a lead governor who leads these sections of the Governing Body agenda.  In addition, there are distinct committees that look at specific aspects of work and report back via minutes to the Governing Body.  Each of these committees has Terms of Reference, a Programme of Work for the year and a Chairman appointed by the Governing Body.

Regular focus areas within the Local Governing Body meetings include the following:

Curriculum: looking at performance and progress of students, curriculum offered to students, subject performance, teaching and learning; staff development.

Finance: ensuring that expenditure is as budgeted, questioning any variation and receiving any advice as a result of Auditors’ reports and accounts, taking action as needed.

Premises: monitoring expenditure on utilities, renovation and agreed projects, checking health and safety related issues and ensuring that the site is well maintained.

In addition, committees include the following:

Admissions: overseeing the process of admission and deciding any special considerations.

Pay: looking at outcomes of performance management with regard to pay, recommending significant changes to staffing structures, monitoring staff attendance levels and advising on personnel issues as needed.

Catering Working Group: overseeing the Catering Service.

Joint Consultative Group: staff and union representatives looking at staff related policies and raising any terms and conditions concerns.