School Governance

Higher Bebington Junior School
School Governance

Strategic leadership, challenge and support help ensure that every pupil at Higher Bebington Junior School is able to thrive and achieve their full potential.

Welcome from the Governing Body

The Governing Body at Higher Bebington Junior School is proud to support the work of the school and its wider community. Our governors bring a wide range of professional experience, skills and perspectives and work closely with the Headteacher and staff to ensure the best possible outcomes for all pupils.

Through strategic leadership, careful monitoring and constructive challenge, governors help to ensure that the school continues to develop and improve. Central to our work is the shared commitment to the school’s vision, “Together we Achieve”, ensuring that every child is supported to succeed both academically and personally.

About the Governing Body

Higher Bebington Junior School is a larger than average, three-form entry mixed community school maintained by the Local Authority with approximately 370 pupils on roll. Our main feeder school is Town Lane Infant School.

The Governing Body consists of 10 members who bring a wide range of skills, experience and perspectives. All governors are volunteers who work together to support the strategic leadership and development of the school.

Governors work closely with school leaders to ensure that our vision, “Together we Achieve”, underpins the culture, expectations and ambitions we hold for every pupil.

The Role of the Governing Body

The role of the Governing Body is strategic. Governors work alongside the Headteacher and senior leaders to help shape the direction of the school and ensure high standards for all pupils.

The key functions of the Governing Body are to:

Set the strategic vision, aims and objectives for the school
Agree the policies and priorities needed to achieve these aims
Monitor and evaluate the school’s performance and progress
Ensure accountability for educational standards and quality of provision
Oversee the effective use of the school’s financial resources
Provide both challenge and support to the Headteacher, acting as a critical friend

The Headteacher is responsible for the internal organisation, management and day-to-day running of the school and for implementing the strategic direction set by the Governing Body.

What Governors Do

Governors do not manage the day-to-day running of the school. Instead, they focus on the strategic direction of the school and holding leaders to account.

Governors do this by:

Visiting the school to gain a deeper understanding of its work
Receiving reports on teaching, learning and pupil outcomes
Monitoring priorities within the School Development Plan
Reviewing policies and statutory responsibilities
Ensuring safeguarding arrangements are robust
Monitoring the effective use of the school’s budget

Governors support and challenge school leaders by reviewing information about pupil outcomes, attendance and wellbeing to ensure the school continues to improve.

The Governing Body also ensures that statutory responsibilities are fulfilled, including oversight of safeguarding, finance and statutory policies.

Structure of the Governing Body

The Governing Body at Higher Bebington Junior School currently consists of:

Four Parent Governors
Three Co-opted Governors from the local community
The Headteacher (ex-officio)
One Staff Governor elected by school staff
One Local Authority Governor

The Governing Board has also appointed an Associate Governor who supports the work of the governing body.

Governor vacancies will be advertised on the school website as they arise.

Governance Information

Information about the structure of the Governing Body, governor responsibilities, attendance at meetings, declarations of interest and terms of office can be found in the documents below.

Typical documents published include: