Governance at Corbridge Middle School
Our school is in safe hands with a strong Governing Body composed of dedicated, passionate and supportive local people from a wide range of backgrounds, and a Senior Leadership Team who ensure that all CMS pupils are successful learners, confident individuals and responsible citizens. The school is very well thought of in the local community, with pupils and parents, and also regionally and nationally through our work with a range of partners and networks.
At their last visit, in November 2021, Ofsted judged the school as 'Outstanding', their highest accolade.
Governors are confident that the teaching and support staff at CMS maintain consistently high expectations of all pupils across a broad and balanced curriculum, underpinned by innovative and high quality teaching. A dedication to excellent pastoral care and provision for children with Special Educational Needs ensures that every pupil feels supported throughout their time at the school.
CMS currently has a full roll of 361 pupils and is a popular choice for parents, both inside and outside of our catchment area. This is testament to our staff, who ensure that all pupils enjoy a positive, balanced and supportive education in our school.
Mr. Tom Weston
Chair of Governors, Corbridge Middle School
How is our school governed?
All schools are required to have a Governing Body whose role is to have a strong focus on three core strategic functions:
How are we doing?
The work planned to be done during the last academic year, became overtaken by the events created from the current Covid pandemic. Since March 2020; the school leadership team have worked relentlessly to ensure that the school has remained open; supporting all the staff, children and their families during these uncertain and ever changing times. As it became clear that lockdown restrictions would be coming into force; staff very quickly moved all teaching on-line using google classroom and were able to maintain an accessible learning environment for all pupils. School laptops were provided where necessary and those entitled to free school meals were provided for. So much of the work that has been required, is operational and as such has required little involvement of the governing board, other than to support the school staff and ensure that a robust assessment of risk has been undertaken and regularly reviewed. We are immensely thankful to all our staff who have continued to care for all our pupils and families during this time
As governors, we have had to learn quickly how to perform our role virtually. We miss not being able to visit the school to see for ourselves how the education of children carries on but we continue to work hard to support, challenge and hold the school to account so that Corbridge Middle School continues to be successful both now and in the future.
How are we organised?
At their last visit, in November 2021, Ofsted judged the school as 'Outstanding', their highest accolade.
Governors are confident that the teaching and support staff at CMS maintain consistently high expectations of all pupils across a broad and balanced curriculum, underpinned by innovative and high quality teaching. A dedication to excellent pastoral care and provision for children with Special Educational Needs ensures that every pupil feels supported throughout their time at the school.
CMS currently has a full roll of 361 pupils and is a popular choice for parents, both inside and outside of our catchment area. This is testament to our staff, who ensure that all pupils enjoy a positive, balanced and supportive education in our school.
Mr. Tom Weston
Chair of Governors, Corbridge Middle School
How is our school governed?
All schools are required to have a Governing Body whose role is to have a strong focus on three core strategic functions:
- ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction
- holding the Headteacher to account for the educational performance of the school and its pupils, and the performance management of staff; and
- overseeing the financial performance of the school and making sure its money is well spent.
How are we doing?
The work planned to be done during the last academic year, became overtaken by the events created from the current Covid pandemic. Since March 2020; the school leadership team have worked relentlessly to ensure that the school has remained open; supporting all the staff, children and their families during these uncertain and ever changing times. As it became clear that lockdown restrictions would be coming into force; staff very quickly moved all teaching on-line using google classroom and were able to maintain an accessible learning environment for all pupils. School laptops were provided where necessary and those entitled to free school meals were provided for. So much of the work that has been required, is operational and as such has required little involvement of the governing board, other than to support the school staff and ensure that a robust assessment of risk has been undertaken and regularly reviewed. We are immensely thankful to all our staff who have continued to care for all our pupils and families during this time
As governors, we have had to learn quickly how to perform our role virtually. We miss not being able to visit the school to see for ourselves how the education of children carries on but we continue to work hard to support, challenge and hold the school to account so that Corbridge Middle School continues to be successful both now and in the future.
How are we organised?
Pupil Discipline, Complaints, Hearing and Appeals committees are formed as and when required.
Teaching & Achievement Committee
This committee is responsible for ensuring that appropriate pupil achievement targets are set each year by the head teacher and school staff and for monitoring how the school is doing in achieving these targets including having oversight of those policies associated with teaching and learning. Members also have specific responsibility for supporting the schools careers guidance programme.
Over the last year this committee has monitored
Link governors for English, Maths, Careers and SEND continue to support the work of this committee.
Resources Management Committee
This committee is responsible for reviewing HR policies and ensuring they are followed, including those related to pay, appraisal, the review of staffing structures and appointment of senior members of staff. It is also responsible for ensuring the school is achieving good value for money overall and specifically regarding pupil premium and PE sports premium spending along with responsibility for ensuring that Health & Safety policies are followed and that there is a properly funded repairs, maintenance and capital spend programme in place.
Over the last year, the committee has ensured that the appraisal policy has been consistently applied and that the wellbeing of staff remained a priority.
The school manages its finances well and continues to hold a small surplus. Work has continued in exploring how to create more teaching space as our pupil numbers have grown and our use of small group teaching has expanded. Investment has continued in computer systems with a new telephone system now operational.
The “Milkwell” housing development to the northern boundary of the school commenced at the start of the school year and has been scrutinised by this group to ensure safety of our pupils, staff and visitors. Further work took place to clarify the works required to the new pupil entrance, extra staff car parking and new visitor footpath.
Headteacher Performance Review Committee
This committee is responsible for setting annual objectives for the head teacher and reviewing performance against these objectives.
Safeguarding and SEND responsibilities
Named governors hold a watching brief over these important areas. They are responsible for ensuring the school is meeting all its safeguarding, child protection and Special Educational Needs and Disabilities responsibilities. They also ensure that we have and adhere to our policies for behaviour and discipline.
Our SEND provision continues to be considered best practice and our SEND Coordinator Mrs Rickett is a lead SENDco for Northumberland.
Who are our governors?
Helen Alder, Parent Governor
I am proud to have joined the Board of Governors at CMS as a Parent Governor. Both of my children attended the school and I often reflect on what a special place the School is and feel so thankful we retained our fabulous three tier system here in the Tyne Valley. In my work life I am a Teaching Assistant at a local school and look forward to using my skills on the Teaching and Achievement Committee. On the back of the recent ofsted “ outstanding” the school is in an enviable position owing to the hard work of all the staff and children.
Chris Bruce, Co-opted Governor
My own children came to Corbridge Middle School over 17 years ago. Now as a retired secondary school teacher I want to give something back, especially as I am passionate about the opportunities available in a middle school setting.
Lindsay Hamilton, Head Teacher Governor
Simon Phillips, Co-Opted Governor
Steve Pocock, Co-Opted Governor
Sarah Richardson, Parent Governor
Lisa Simpson, Staff Governor
Andrew Snell, Co-Opted Governor
Mark Warland, Co-opted Governor
I have been a governor at CMS for the past six years. As a resident of Corbridge and Assistant Headteacher at Ponteland High School, I am able to bring both knowledge of the local community and the next stage in students’ education to the governing body. As a head of faculty for a large department I have experience of school appraisal systems and performance related pay along with curriculum development and assessment all of which support me as a governor on two committees. I have two young children who will be attending Corbridge Middle School in the future.
Tom Weston, Local Authority Governor (Chair)
I joined the governing body as a Parent Governor over two years ago, with one child now at QEHs and two children currently enjoying their time at CMS. In my professional life I am Director and Board member of a mid-sized business, with particular responsibility for personnel, training and development, so look forward to sharing my experience and providing an additional viewpoint in the Resources Management group, as well as the Governing Body as a whole. In addition to having children passing through the system my connection to the world of education has been broadened by two years spent teaching English in middle schools in rural Japan at the start of my working life. An interesting point of comparison from a cultural and educational perspective!
Rosalind Wright, Co-Opted Governor
How can you become involved?
We advertise any full governor vacancy whenever they arise. We also occasionally need people who are prepared to work with us on specific projects; for these roles we are able to recruit “associate members” onto our Governing Body. If you feel you have skills that we could use on our governing body we would love to hear from you. Please contact either Mrs Brown (Headteacher) or myself (Mr Bearpark) via the school office.
Teaching & Achievement Committee
This committee is responsible for ensuring that appropriate pupil achievement targets are set each year by the head teacher and school staff and for monitoring how the school is doing in achieving these targets including having oversight of those policies associated with teaching and learning. Members also have specific responsibility for supporting the schools careers guidance programme.
Over the last year this committee has monitored
- The progress of the school against its School Impact plan for the development of the curriculum with other middle schools and Queen Elizabeth High School
- SEND and disadvantaged provision
- Behaviour for Learning
- The development of a new marking and feedback policy in order to reduce teacher workload whilst enhancing learning
- Provision of remote learning during the Covid Pandemic
Link governors for English, Maths, Careers and SEND continue to support the work of this committee.
Resources Management Committee
This committee is responsible for reviewing HR policies and ensuring they are followed, including those related to pay, appraisal, the review of staffing structures and appointment of senior members of staff. It is also responsible for ensuring the school is achieving good value for money overall and specifically regarding pupil premium and PE sports premium spending along with responsibility for ensuring that Health & Safety policies are followed and that there is a properly funded repairs, maintenance and capital spend programme in place.
Over the last year, the committee has ensured that the appraisal policy has been consistently applied and that the wellbeing of staff remained a priority.
The school manages its finances well and continues to hold a small surplus. Work has continued in exploring how to create more teaching space as our pupil numbers have grown and our use of small group teaching has expanded. Investment has continued in computer systems with a new telephone system now operational.
The “Milkwell” housing development to the northern boundary of the school commenced at the start of the school year and has been scrutinised by this group to ensure safety of our pupils, staff and visitors. Further work took place to clarify the works required to the new pupil entrance, extra staff car parking and new visitor footpath.
Headteacher Performance Review Committee
This committee is responsible for setting annual objectives for the head teacher and reviewing performance against these objectives.
Safeguarding and SEND responsibilities
Named governors hold a watching brief over these important areas. They are responsible for ensuring the school is meeting all its safeguarding, child protection and Special Educational Needs and Disabilities responsibilities. They also ensure that we have and adhere to our policies for behaviour and discipline.
Our SEND provision continues to be considered best practice and our SEND Coordinator Mrs Rickett is a lead SENDco for Northumberland.
Who are our governors?
Helen Alder, Parent Governor
I am proud to have joined the Board of Governors at CMS as a Parent Governor. Both of my children attended the school and I often reflect on what a special place the School is and feel so thankful we retained our fabulous three tier system here in the Tyne Valley. In my work life I am a Teaching Assistant at a local school and look forward to using my skills on the Teaching and Achievement Committee. On the back of the recent ofsted “ outstanding” the school is in an enviable position owing to the hard work of all the staff and children.
Chris Bruce, Co-opted Governor
My own children came to Corbridge Middle School over 17 years ago. Now as a retired secondary school teacher I want to give something back, especially as I am passionate about the opportunities available in a middle school setting.
Lindsay Hamilton, Head Teacher Governor
Simon Phillips, Co-Opted Governor
Steve Pocock, Co-Opted Governor
Sarah Richardson, Parent Governor
Lisa Simpson, Staff Governor
Andrew Snell, Co-Opted Governor
Mark Warland, Co-opted Governor
I have been a governor at CMS for the past six years. As a resident of Corbridge and Assistant Headteacher at Ponteland High School, I am able to bring both knowledge of the local community and the next stage in students’ education to the governing body. As a head of faculty for a large department I have experience of school appraisal systems and performance related pay along with curriculum development and assessment all of which support me as a governor on two committees. I have two young children who will be attending Corbridge Middle School in the future.
Tom Weston, Local Authority Governor (Chair)
I joined the governing body as a Parent Governor over two years ago, with one child now at QEHs and two children currently enjoying their time at CMS. In my professional life I am Director and Board member of a mid-sized business, with particular responsibility for personnel, training and development, so look forward to sharing my experience and providing an additional viewpoint in the Resources Management group, as well as the Governing Body as a whole. In addition to having children passing through the system my connection to the world of education has been broadened by two years spent teaching English in middle schools in rural Japan at the start of my working life. An interesting point of comparison from a cultural and educational perspective!
Rosalind Wright, Co-Opted Governor
How can you become involved?
We advertise any full governor vacancy whenever they arise. We also occasionally need people who are prepared to work with us on specific projects; for these roles we are able to recruit “associate members” onto our Governing Body. If you feel you have skills that we could use on our governing body we would love to hear from you. Please contact either Mrs Brown (Headteacher) or myself (Mr Bearpark) via the school office.
