Governance at Corbridge Middle School
I feel very privileged to be the current Chair of Governors at Corbridge Middle School (CMS) where we all continue to strive for each and every child at our school to be successful learners, confident individuals and responsible citizens.
Corbridge Middle School is thriving; well thought of by our parents, partnership schools and local community. At their last visit, in November 2018, Ofsted stated that “the school have secured high standards and significant improvements since the last inspection” as well as stating that we “have built meaningful partnerships with other schools and the local authority to enhance the curriculum and provide external assurance on the quality of your work; and have developed supportive relationships with parents and carers, who are highly appreciative of the quality of education their children receive.”
This excellent reputation for pastoral care, a broad curriculum and high quality, innovative teaching practice; has contributed to CMS continuing to be a popular choice for parents, both inside and outside our catchment area, with 356 pupils on roll. I hope you will agree this to be a testament to the hard work, commitment and passion of our staff, here at CMS.
Yours sincerely
Mrs Jo Holmes
Chair Governors and National Leader of Governance
Corbridge Middle School is thriving; well thought of by our parents, partnership schools and local community. At their last visit, in November 2018, Ofsted stated that “the school have secured high standards and significant improvements since the last inspection” as well as stating that we “have built meaningful partnerships with other schools and the local authority to enhance the curriculum and provide external assurance on the quality of your work; and have developed supportive relationships with parents and carers, who are highly appreciative of the quality of education their children receive.”
This excellent reputation for pastoral care, a broad curriculum and high quality, innovative teaching practice; has contributed to CMS continuing to be a popular choice for parents, both inside and outside our catchment area, with 356 pupils on roll. I hope you will agree this to be a testament to the hard work, commitment and passion of our staff, here at CMS.
Yours sincerely
Mrs Jo Holmes
Chair Governors and National Leader of Governance
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:
The Governing Body is made up of volunteers who, as a whole group, have the knowledge, skills and time to be able to perform these strategic functions. Here at Corbridge Middle School we have 13 places on our governing body. We meet as a full governing body at least once per term but the majority of our work takes place in committees which also meet at least once per term. As well as being members of committees, our “non- staff” governors also take an interest in the areas of English, maths, careers, special educational needs, looked after children and safeguarding which involves working with various leaders within school.
- 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.
The Governing Body is made up of volunteers who, as a whole group, have the knowledge, skills and time to be able to perform these strategic functions. Here at Corbridge Middle School we have 13 places on our governing body. We meet as a full governing body at least once per term but the majority of our work takes place in committees which also meet at least once per term. As well as being members of committees, our “non- staff” governors also take an interest in the areas of English, maths, careers, special educational needs, looked after children and safeguarding which involves working with various leaders within school.
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.
During 2019/2020 we
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.
During 2019/2020 we
- Continued our focus on the intent and content of the curriculum taught at the school, ensuring that the curriculum remained broad and balanced. The sequencing of the curriculum was reviewed in partnership with the other middle schools and high school in the Hexham Partnership.Improved further the collaborative cross-school culture for our Special Educational Needs and disadvantaged provision, enhanced by our SENDco, Mrs Ricketts being a lead SENDco for Northumberland. The school also provided support to other schools in Northumberland to continue the improvement in SEND provision.
- Explored how the work led by Dr Batchelder on the use of the UN Sustainability Goals within the science curriculum could be rolled out across other subject areas.
- Supported further changes to teacher workload through changes to the marking and feedback policy and annual reporting system to parents.
- Oversaw the work being undertaken by NCC and the Milkwell housing developer to ensure the safety of our pupils and staff at all times and minimising any disruption.
- Supported the Headteacher when making the required operational changes during the Covid pandemic.
- Ensure the school remains Covid secure by carrying out regular reviews of the required risk assessments and support the provision of resilience training for all staff, pupils and families.
- Ensure gaps in learning are quickly identified and catch up programmes put in place to so that pupils continue to be inspired and challenged to acquire the skills and knowledge necessary to become successful educated citizens.
- Monitor the impact of the whole oracy and reading programmes.
- Support the school in creating new teaching and intervention spaces and progressing the artificial grass pitch investment.
What is our Governance Structure?
Changes may occur at our full governing board meeting in November:
Pupil Discipline, Complaints, Hearing and Appeals committees are formed as and when required.
Teaching & Achievement
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
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
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.
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
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
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?
Jo Holmes, Co-opted Governor and Chair of Governors and link governor for maths and careers. Also National Leader Governance
I have been a governor at CMS for 12 years and previously had been a governor at Whittonstall First School. With three children who have all attended the school, one still at Queen Elizabeth High School, much of my experience comes from being a parent. As a graduate Chemical Engineer and having managed manufacturing operations for Procter & Gamble Ltd, I have extensive experience in target setting, performance monitoring, human resources and project management. In my role as Chair, I ensure that the full Governing Body operates effectively. I am also a National Leader of Governance; in this role I provide support to the chairs of other governing bodies and carry our external reviews of governance and health checks as required in order to aid school improvement.
Jane Kennedy, Headteacher
I have been a member of the governing body since I joined the school as Headteacher in September 2014. I enjoy working with the governors who, with their wide range of skills and experience, continue to challenge and drive the school forwards as we strive to provide the best education we possibly can for our students. We are clear about our vision for the school, our ethos and our values and we believe that enriching every child’s education will help to ensure their future success.
Angie Leggett, Parent Governor, Teaching & Achievement Committee, English Link Governor
Ann Harvey, Co-opted Governor, Resources Management Committee
I have been a governor for just over five years but have regularly been co-opted onto committees in the past in my role as Office Manager for the school. I am a long standing resident of Corbridge and am able to use my community links to build community cohesion.
Chris Bruce, Co-opted Governor, Teaching & Achievement committee, designated SEND/LAC 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.
Christine Merrell, Co-opted Governor
I have lived in the Hexham area for the past 35 years and my children attended Corbridge Middle School back in the 1990s. My career has been education-focused. I have worked at Durham University since 1997 and through my teaching and research, I have tried to improve the educational outcomes of children and young people. I bring experience in educational assessment and monitoring, and the evaluation of educational interventions, coupled with experience of being a senior leader in the university. Through my work on the governing board, I am looking forward to making a positive contribution to the school.
Jayne Adey, Co-opted Governor, Resources Management committee, Maths Link Governor
I was invited to become a governor at CMS four years ago, to help fill a financial skills gap on the governing body. As a resident of Corbridge and qualified accountant with recent experience of working at Egger UK; I was pleased to become a governor. I take a lead role in both supporting and challenging the school in relation to the financial systems used as part of the Resources Management committee. With a young daughter, I am keen to ensure that our schools are as successful as they can be.
Marc Horn, Co-opted governor, Resources Management Committee
I have been a governor of Corbridge Middle School for two years and prior to this I was a Parish Councillor and then Parish Council Chair of the Corbridge Parish Council. I have lived in Corbridge for over 8 years and as part of my day to day job as a Structural Engineer I have worked on the design of over £1billion of new schools. I hope to bring that design experience into the school. I also have one child at CMS so can bring an extra parent perspective too.
Marie Browne, Staff Governor, Teaching & Achievement Committee
I am the staff representative on the CMS governing body and have previous experience as both a parent and foundation governor in other schools. I have been teaching for about 20 years and feel passionately that the middle school setting is the perfect place to nurture children of this age. One of CMS’s strengths is its relationships within its community; I look forward to continuing the cohesive links between the governing body and school staff and to sharing my experience of working in other outstanding schools.
Mark Warland, Co-opted Governor, Teaching and Achievement Committee, Headteacher Performance Management.
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.
Peter Jewitt, Co-opted Governor, Chair Resources Management Committee, Headteacher Performance Management and Health & Safety and Safeguarding link governor.
I live in Corbridge and have been a governor for almost five years now, having retired as a solicitor specialising in property law and civil litigation. Some years ago I was Chair of Governors of a school in Newcastle upon Tyne. Through my involvement with the business community and my voluntary work in the Tyne Valley I bring to the Governing Board an understanding of the needs of business and the community. My legal knowledge proves useful in our dealings with NCC and developers regarding the housing development and in regard to health and safety issues at the school.
Philip Latham, Co-opted Governor, Teaching & Achievement committee.
A former chair of Governors, I have been teaching in secondary schools since the 1960’s and have had experience of the impact of rapid change in education on pupils and teachers. I first became a governor when our two daughters attended CMS in the 1980’s. Currently I work as a volunteer ESOL teacher for a North East refugee charity. As a practitioner I have found the 3 tier school system meets the widest range of pupil development needs.
Tom Weston, Parent Governor, Vice Chair, Resources Management committee
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!
I have been a governor at CMS for 12 years and previously had been a governor at Whittonstall First School. With three children who have all attended the school, one still at Queen Elizabeth High School, much of my experience comes from being a parent. As a graduate Chemical Engineer and having managed manufacturing operations for Procter & Gamble Ltd, I have extensive experience in target setting, performance monitoring, human resources and project management. In my role as Chair, I ensure that the full Governing Body operates effectively. I am also a National Leader of Governance; in this role I provide support to the chairs of other governing bodies and carry our external reviews of governance and health checks as required in order to aid school improvement.
Jane Kennedy, Headteacher
I have been a member of the governing body since I joined the school as Headteacher in September 2014. I enjoy working with the governors who, with their wide range of skills and experience, continue to challenge and drive the school forwards as we strive to provide the best education we possibly can for our students. We are clear about our vision for the school, our ethos and our values and we believe that enriching every child’s education will help to ensure their future success.
Angie Leggett, Parent Governor, Teaching & Achievement Committee, English Link Governor
Ann Harvey, Co-opted Governor, Resources Management Committee
I have been a governor for just over five years but have regularly been co-opted onto committees in the past in my role as Office Manager for the school. I am a long standing resident of Corbridge and am able to use my community links to build community cohesion.
Chris Bruce, Co-opted Governor, Teaching & Achievement committee, designated SEND/LAC 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.
Christine Merrell, Co-opted Governor
I have lived in the Hexham area for the past 35 years and my children attended Corbridge Middle School back in the 1990s. My career has been education-focused. I have worked at Durham University since 1997 and through my teaching and research, I have tried to improve the educational outcomes of children and young people. I bring experience in educational assessment and monitoring, and the evaluation of educational interventions, coupled with experience of being a senior leader in the university. Through my work on the governing board, I am looking forward to making a positive contribution to the school.
Jayne Adey, Co-opted Governor, Resources Management committee, Maths Link Governor
I was invited to become a governor at CMS four years ago, to help fill a financial skills gap on the governing body. As a resident of Corbridge and qualified accountant with recent experience of working at Egger UK; I was pleased to become a governor. I take a lead role in both supporting and challenging the school in relation to the financial systems used as part of the Resources Management committee. With a young daughter, I am keen to ensure that our schools are as successful as they can be.
Marc Horn, Co-opted governor, Resources Management Committee
I have been a governor of Corbridge Middle School for two years and prior to this I was a Parish Councillor and then Parish Council Chair of the Corbridge Parish Council. I have lived in Corbridge for over 8 years and as part of my day to day job as a Structural Engineer I have worked on the design of over £1billion of new schools. I hope to bring that design experience into the school. I also have one child at CMS so can bring an extra parent perspective too.
Marie Browne, Staff Governor, Teaching & Achievement Committee
I am the staff representative on the CMS governing body and have previous experience as both a parent and foundation governor in other schools. I have been teaching for about 20 years and feel passionately that the middle school setting is the perfect place to nurture children of this age. One of CMS’s strengths is its relationships within its community; I look forward to continuing the cohesive links between the governing body and school staff and to sharing my experience of working in other outstanding schools.
Mark Warland, Co-opted Governor, Teaching and Achievement Committee, Headteacher Performance Management.
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.
Peter Jewitt, Co-opted Governor, Chair Resources Management Committee, Headteacher Performance Management and Health & Safety and Safeguarding link governor.
I live in Corbridge and have been a governor for almost five years now, having retired as a solicitor specialising in property law and civil litigation. Some years ago I was Chair of Governors of a school in Newcastle upon Tyne. Through my involvement with the business community and my voluntary work in the Tyne Valley I bring to the Governing Board an understanding of the needs of business and the community. My legal knowledge proves useful in our dealings with NCC and developers regarding the housing development and in regard to health and safety issues at the school.
Philip Latham, Co-opted Governor, Teaching & Achievement committee.
A former chair of Governors, I have been teaching in secondary schools since the 1960’s and have had experience of the impact of rapid change in education on pupils and teachers. I first became a governor when our two daughters attended CMS in the 1980’s. Currently I work as a volunteer ESOL teacher for a North East refugee charity. As a practitioner I have found the 3 tier school system meets the widest range of pupil development needs.
Tom Weston, Parent Governor, Vice Chair, Resources Management committee
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!
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 Kennedy (Headteacher) or myself (Mrs Holmes) via the school office.
