1. Context

2016/17 was The Kibworth School’s first year as an 11-16 academy delivering the new KS4 curriculum. Leadership at school is evolving. In the autumn term Mrs Edwards announced her retirement after 13 years in post and in March 2017 we successfully recruited new Headteacher, Mrs Merry. We also had new members of the Senior Leadership Team (SLT) and new challenges for middle leaders. Pupils continued to enjoy good learning facilities, behaviour and attendance was generally good, and pupils and parents felt that they are safe at school. Parents were overall satisfied with their children’s experience at school (last surveyed autumn 2016) but do seek greater engagement in certain areas of school life such as transition from primary school and homework policy. At the start of the 2017/18 year, we have 857 students on roll, with capacity to admit a maximum Number on Roll (NOR) of 875. Our Pupil Admissions Number (PAN) is 175. Some of the main achievements in school in 2016/17 included:

- First year delivery of the KS4 curriculum following transition to an 11-16 academy - A strong first set of GCSE results. 73% of students achieving a ‘standard’ pass in 5 subjects, including English Language and Maths. - Further enhancement of facilities with the build and opening of the new science and maths block - Successful first round recruitment of an experienced Headteacher - Development of an experienced SEND support team - Recruitment of a new Head of Science and Head of ICT

School overall is in a good position as we start 2017/18, but we continue to face some significant challenges this year and beyond, including:

• Continuing to embed and enhance the new KS4 curriculum and GCSE results

• Addressing the under-performance of identified groups, especially SEND, Pupil Premium and the most able

• Managing student numbers and considering options for growth

• Exploring the options for becoming part of a multi-academy trust

• Managing high staffing costs, securing a balanced budget and exploring opportunities for income generation

Governance Development Plan 2017/18

• Embedding the new Headteacher and developing senior and middle leadership capacity and effectiveness

• Retaining or enhancing existing ‘Good’ Ofsted judgement – readiness for a possible Ofsted inspection during 2017/18 following the appointment of a new HT and first GCSE results

• Enhancing parent communications and engagement, including school reports and parent evenings

• Supporting students with the increasing pressures of education and enhanced awareness of mental health wellbeing

• Developing further our extra-curricular offering

• Enhancing relationships with local feeder schools (including transition) and communities, and building closer links with key local and regional stakeholders We have a professional, skilled and dedicated governing body that is committed to developing its governance role and effectiveness further this year. A robust succession plan is in place to ensure continuity when the current Chair of Governors stands down in July 2018. We work to an annual calendar (see section 6), and all roles and responsibilities are assigned (see section 5). We have a training and development programme in place to ensure that all governors are fully trained for their role on the full board and to effectively and confidently fulfil their individual area(s) of responsibility. This Governance Development Plan should be read alongside the Academy Improvement Plan 2017/18 and the school’s current self-evaluation form (SEF).

2. Academy Improvement Plan Priorities 2017/18

Leadership and Management priorities Priority 1: Establish the Kibworth Standard, within the local and national context, and prepare for growth Priority 2: Embed the Kibworth Standard, securing expert learners Priority 3: Support and Challenge the Kibworth Learning Community to secure high impact on themselves and others Priority 4: Secure all systems to facilitate highly effective and expert learners Quality of teaching and professional Learning Priority 1: All staff understand, appreciate and apply the Kibworth Standard in T&L Priority 2: Continually develop and embed quality assurance systems to support ‘Expert’ Teaching and Learning Priority 3: Quality knowledge driven learning drives a ‘thirst’ for study Priority 4: Develop a culture of highly effective professional development for all Outcomes for all students Priority 1: Regardless of starting points, progress is high compared to national figures Priority 2: Students read widely and often across all subjects, with confidence and fluency Priority 3: All students make rapid and sustained progress regardless of their individual context Priority 4: Staff, parents/carers and students can articulate with confidence their knowledge and understanding of data and performance.

Personal development, behaviour and welfare Priority 1: Develop and embed expert routines and relationships for learning Priority 2: Develop a secure moral and social compass Priority 3: The culture of safeguarding is strong and effective Priority 4: All students hold high aspirations for their lives, and show a resilience and determination to achieve those goals The school’s vision is to enable a world class secondary education in this local area through high quality dynamic 11-16 educational opportunities. And the mission is to: · Enable all students to embrace ‘Talent, Knowledge and Success’ in all that they do · Ensure all have access to a world class education to help them progress into world class further/higher education, training, apprenticeships and employment · Work with and for the local community · Create a positive, safe and successful place of learning. · Provide a culture of excellence, knowledge, diversity and tolerance to allow all learners to thrive.

3. Governance Objectives 2017/18 The Board of Governor’s objectives for 2017/18 aim to continue to enhance the levels of engagement and impact of the governing body, reflect the Academy Improvement Plan priorities and consider some longer term strategic issues. How we will deliver and measure progress against each objective, alongside our statutory and other ongoing responsibilities, is outlined in detail in the following action plan (section 4). The annual governance calendar (section 6) details all governor activity scheduled for the year, and sub-committee membership and individual roles and responsibilities are outlined in section 5.

1. To continue to enhance the induction, training, effectiveness and impact of the governing body, including robust succession planning.

2. To rigorously monitor the progress of students (all years) and all groups, particularly SEND, most able and Pupil Premium.

3. To form a working party to consider and direct the future position of the school, including scoping becoming a member of a multi-academy trust and options for growth.

4. To work with the Headteacher to ensure the school’s finances are in line with EFA guidelines and sustainable.

5. To more effectively and regularly engage with students, and engage students in the work of the Governing Body.

6. To support the Headteacher in enhancing links with our parents, catchment primary schools, local communities and other stakeholders.

4. Governance Action Plan 2017/18

Objective

Action

Who

When

Monitoring & Evidence Impact/success criteria

Expected Progress 1. To continue to enhance the induction, training, effectiveness and impact of the governing body, including robust succession planning.

New governor induction: in school session with HT and CoG, and GDS new academy governor training

All new governors Within 6 months of joining the governing body

- Governor induction visit reports - Governor training log - Meeting minutes

- New governors feel confident and informed to carry out their new role - Enhanced team work

Ensure all governors have access to, and remain up-to-date with, local and national issues facing the school and the wider 11-16 sector. Membership and individual log-ins for The Key for School Governors Subscription to Ofsted weekly e-alerts, Leics GDS weekly e-bulletin, Leics Governor newsletter and NGA newsletters

All governors Clerk All governors

Ongoing September 2018 Ongoing

- Meeting minutes (governor questions and discussion) - Emails - Training log

- All governors have access to relevant, up-to-date sector and local school on ongoing basis - All governors are better informed to support and challenge school leaders - School is better prepared to face sector challenges

GDS governor training programme

T&D Governor/CoG All governors

Termly CoG and T&D briefings As/when relevant training required

- Training log - Briefing emails from CoG/ Clerk/all governors - Meeting minutes

- Knowledge and skills further enhanced - Governors confident and expert in their individual areas of responsibility - Governors up to speed with current sector issues and opportunities - Level of challenge and support for school leadership is enhanced

Complete annual governor Clerk/all governors September 2018 - Skills audit file - Governors all aware

skills audit of each others skills and experience - Governor roles and comittee membership assigned according to skills and experience - School can more easily access governor expertise as/when needed - Recruitment of new governors targets any identified skills gaps

Annual review of governing body effectiveness

CoG/All governors July 2018 - Governance file: audit against governor competency framework - FGB/away day meeting minutes - Progress updates on GDP

- Annual planning is informed by review of impact - Governor roles assigned/re-assigned according to skills - New governors recruited according to skills gaps - Weaknesses identified and governors supported to enhance their performance if necessary - Impact on academy improvement and strategic decision making evident

Succession planning: identify new chair and vice-chair(s) and work towards handover throughout the year/shadowing of outgoing Chair

Chair Identified new Chair and Vice Chair(s)

Ongoing, completed at handover July 2018

- Meeting minutes - Incoming Chairs/Vice-Chairs notes - Training log

- Continuity and stability is secured when current Chair stands down - New Chair/V-Cs are well briefed and prepared for smooth transition - Vice-Chair(s) are willing and able to

step up to Chair role when required - Potential axiety over further leadership change at school minimised - Effective relationships with HT/SLT established

Governor visits: clear individual governor responsibilties identified, full briefing process in place, visit schedule confirmed and reporting process in place.

All governors Clerk

Ongoing - Visit reports - Meeting minutes - Staff feedback - Outcomes in AIP priority areas

- Increase in governor visits - Focused monitoring visits targeting AIP priorities - Enhanced reporting to FGB and/or relevant sub-committees - Enhanced monitoring: greater challenge from informed governors and increased recognition of school achievements and successes

Introduce training log Clerk (All governors ensure Clerk is aware of all training undertaken, including relevant training/ coaching/briefings beyond school)

Ongoing - Training log - Up-to-date record of all governor training available - Skills gaps can be easily identified - Bespoke training identified as required - VFM achieved from GDS and other subscriptions

Clerk development: ensuring our Clerk is well briefed, networked and skilled to support the GB and meet the new Clerk competency framework

Clerk Chair of Governors

Ongoing - Training log - Meeting papers/minutes

- Highly effective and professional clerking - Clerk plays an invaulable role on the GB - Skilled Clerk is

retained and role continues to develop

2. To rigorously monitor the progress of students (all years) and all groups, particularly SEND, most able and Pupil Premium.

Governor visits Regular data reviews at Teaching & Learning Committee and FGB meetings

All governors SEND governor PP governor

Ongoing - HT reports - Committee meeting papers and minutes: governor questions - Governor visit reports and follow-ups

- Governors are aware of any concerns re poor progress in-year and actions being taken to improve - Progress of SEND and PP students improves to meet or exceed national benchmarks - Impact of PP funding evident - Most able students are challenged and outcomes improved

3. To form a working group to consider and direct the future position of the school, including scoping the possibility of joining a multi-academy trust and options for growth.

Establish working group, define terms of reference, and schedule of work.

HT CoG Assigned governors

September 2017-July 2018

- Meeting minutes - Any strategic decisons are well informed, considered and timely - The academy is prepared for future challenges and well placed to exploit opportunities - The academy is able to successfully deliver for the local community - Financial security - Planned changes and developments are well communicated to, and gain the buy in of, key stakeholders.

4. To ensure the schools finances are inline with EFA guidelines and sustainable.

Ensure compliance with EFA requirments and timetables Rigorously monitor school spending Ensure a balanced budget into 2018/19 Review staffing costs and structures and seek savings

Finance Committee Startegic Development group All governors

Ongoing - Finance Committee minutes - Finance audits and resulting action plans - Chair/Vice Chair notebooks

- Future school budgets are balanced - Reserves are preserved for stratgic development where possible - Staffing structure is fit for purpose - All EFA requirements are met - Audits are robustly carried out and demonstrate best practice is undertaken in school - HT and governors are well informed to plan for future financial challenge

5. To more effectively and regularly engage with students, and engage students in the work of the Governing Body.

Governor visits Meetings with school council Attendance at key events: parents evenings, assemblies, sports events etc Student surveys and feedback box

All governors Ongoing - Meeting minutes - Governor signing in book - Visit reports - Survey results

- Students are more aware of governors and their roles - Governors enhance their understanding of student life to inform decision making (esp non-parent governors) - Students have a direct line of contact with the governing body – greater voice. - Governors play an active role in school life and raise their profile.

6. To support the Headteacher in enhancing links with our parents, catchment primary schools, local communities and other stakeholders.

Governor visits to feeder schools Governor participation in open days/evenings Input to parent surveys and analysis of results Representation in local community on issues like new housing development

All governors Transition governors

Ongoing - Governor visit reports - Standards and leadership committee minutes - Survey results

- Feeder school relationships are strengthened and student PAN numbers remain high - TKS is the local school of choice - TKS has a voice on local issues like housing development and is well informed to plan for issues like rising student numbers and social deprivation in catchment areas. - Reputation of TKS amongst local community is good

5. Sub-committee Membership and Individual Governor Roles 2017/18

Sub-committees

Standards and Leadership Committee Meets three times per year, termly Includes behaviour and transition

Finance and Resources Committee Meets three times per year, termly

Pay Committee Meets once per year in October Members must be trained, chaired by CoG

Strategic Development Group Meeting frequency and dates to be set at first meeting

Safeguarding Committee Meets three times per year, termly Includes H&S, wellbeing, medical and welfare

Membership (minimum 5): Chair of Governors (AM) Headteacher (EME) Vice-Chair of Governors (KF) T&D Governor (DB) SEND Governor (KF) PP Governor (MY) Transition Governors (KF/MN/EP) SLT in attendance as required

Membership (minimum 3): Finance Governor (Chair) (EC) Audit Governor (RN) Vice-Chair of Governors (KF) T&D Governor (DB) Headteacher (EME) Business Manager (in attendance)

Membership (minimum 3): Chair of Governors (Chair) (AM) Chair of Finance Committee (EC) Vice-Chair of Governors (KF) Headteacher (in attendance) (EME) MN to run appeals committee if required

Membership (minimum 3): Headteacher (EME) Chair of Governors (AM) Vice-Chair (KF) Chair of Finance and Resources Committee (EC) Chair of Standards and Leadership Committee (KF) Business Manager (in attendance)

Membership (minimum 3): Headteacher (EME) Chair of Governors (AM) H&S Governor (JW) Safeguarding & Behaviour Governor (MN) T&D Governor (DB) Audit Governor (RN)

Chair: Kate Foster Chair: Ed Cufflin Chair: Andrew Munro Chair: tbc Chair: Mark Newcombe

Individual Governor Roles

Safeguarding & Behaviour Governor Mark Newcombe

H & S Governor Julian Wilks

Pupil Premium Governor Mark Yates

SEND Governor Kate Foster

Transition (in) Governor Mark Newcombe Kate Foster

Transition (out) Governor Emma Potts

Staff contact: Staff contact: Staff contact: Staff contact: Gerry Setchell Staff contact: Staff contact:

SLT Lead: SLT Lead: SLT Lead: SLT Lead: Bill Pringle SLT Lead: SLT Lead:

Finance Governor Ed Cufflin

Audit Governor Richard Nichols

Training & Development Governor David Brierley

Clerk to Governors Lynn Williams

Chair of Governors Andrew Munro

Vice-Chair of Governors Kate Foster

Staff contact: Staff contact: Email: dbrierley@thekibworthschool.org Email: lwilliams@thekibworthschool.org Email: amunro@thekibworthschool.org 07758 219108 kfoster@thekibworthschool.org SLT Lead: SLT Lead:

6. Governance Annual Calendar 2017/18

Month School Diary/Key Dates Governor Activity September - Complete Academy Improvement Plan (AIP)

- Update SEF - HT Performance Management - Teacher and support staff PM - Year 6 open evening - Meet the HT evening

- Agree School Improvement Plan 2017/18 (SIP) - HT Performance Management (11/10/17) - Adopt Governance Development Plan 2017/18 (GDP) - Full Governing Body meeting (25/9/17) incl: 1. Elect Chair/Vice-Chair(s) and agree all roles and responsibilities 2. Agree Terms of Reference/membership of sub-committees 3. Adopt Governor Code of Conduct 4. Agree SIP/school priorities 5. Agree GDP/governance priorities and annual calendar 6. Complete Pecuniary Interest Register 7. Headteachers Report 8. Review policy cycle, assign policies to relevant committees 9. Review of 2016/17 GCSE results and all end of year pupil data 10. Ratify school budget 11. Vision and values development - Chair/HT fortnightly update meetings

October - Staff appraisals/preparation of PRP recommendations - Pay Committee - Deadline for resignation of Deputy HTs who wish to leave at end of the autumn term 2017 - Staff observations - Book scrutinies - Data review - Parents Evenings - Autumn 1 half term data in

- Pay Committee meeting: 6/11/17, 8pm - Governor presence at Parents Evenings - Website audit - Chair/HT fortnightly update meetings

November - National data released - Review autumn 1 half term data

- Standards & Leadership Committee (Monday 20 November 2017, 6pm) incl: 1. Review 16/17 data 2. Policy review: - SEND policy - Performance Management policy - Admissions Policy 2019/20

- Equality & Diversity 3. Review teaching quality 4. Review SIP progress to date 5. Review Pupil Premium data - Finance Committee meeting (Monday 6 November 2017, 6pm) incl: 1. YTD budget review 2. Financial statements/VFM statement for EFA by 31 Dec 3. Pay Committee outcomes 4. Policy review - Charging policy (trips, dinner money etc) 5. Asset management plan/asset audit - Pay Appeal Committee (date to be set if required) - Governor Visits - Chair/HT fortnightly update meetings - Governor presence at Parents Evenings

December - Submit audited accounts and VFM statement to EFA by 31 December - Review SIP progress - Update SEF - End of autumn term data in and analyse

- Full Governing Body meeting (Tuesday 5 December 2017, 6pm) incl: 1. Headteacher report 2. Vision and values development - Chair/HT fortnightly update meetings - Governor presence at Parents Evenings

January - School census - Mock GCSE exams - DfE publish the secondary (KS4) and 16-to-18 school and college performance tables and statistics - Publish audited accounts on website by 31 January and file with Companies House - Deadline for resignation of Headteachers who wish to leave at the end of the spring term

- Governor Visits - Chair/HT fortnightly update meetings

February - HT Performance Management – interim review - Deadline for resignation of Deputy HTs who wish to leave at the end of the spring term - All staff interim reviews - Lesson observations

- HT Performance Management – interim review (29/1/18, 9am) - Standards & Leadership Committee (date tbc) incl: 1. Review interim staff appraisals 2. Review SIP progress to date 3. Governor visit reports 4. Review autumn term pupil data including mock GCSE results 5. School council report

7. Staff survey results - Chair/HT fortnightly update meetings - Governor Visits

March - 1st March: National offer day for secondary schools - Review spring 1 half term data and analyse - 15th March: deadline for submissions of admissions arrangements for 2018/19 to LA - Review SEF - Review SIP

- Governor Visits - Full Governing Body meeting (12/3/18, 6pm) incl: 1. HT report 2. Review SIP 3. Review SEF 4. Review parent survey outcomes - Finance Committee meeting (date tbc) - Chair/HT fortnightly update meetings

April - Easter holidays - Spring term data in - Update published information on how the school is complying with the Public Sector Equality Duty and its equality objectives - Lesson observations - Learning walks

- HT interim PM review (16/4/18, 9am) - Chair/HT fortnightly update meetings

May - 2018/19 staffing plan and budget sign off - GCSE exams - Primary school Year 2 & 6 SATs - 18th May: summer census day - 19th May: Academies to submit their budget forecast return to the ESFA? - Deadline for resignations of Deputy HTs who wish to leave at the end of the summer term

- Standards & Leadership Committee (date tbc) incl: 1. Review spring term pupil data/EOY predictions, incl vulnerable groups 2. Review interim teacher performance mgt outcomes 3. Consider staffing structure 2018/19 (prelim budget planning) - Finance Committee meeting (date tbc) incl: 1. Agree 2018/19 budget (deadline 30 May) 2. Review 2017/18 YTD budget - Governor visits - Chair/HT fortnightly update meetings

June - GCSE exams - Sports days/events - Review SEF - Submit balanced budget to EFA by 30 June - Leavers prom

- Governor Visits - Chair/HT fortnightly update meetings - Governor presence at sports day/events

July - School reports - Year 6 SATS results (for transition) - Review SIP and SEF

- Full Governing Body meeting/away day (25/6/18, 6pm) incl: 1. Review of summer term/EOY data 2. Receive report from external school improvement partner (last report

- 28th July: Academies to submit their budget forecast return to the ESFA

received July 2017) 3. Review 2017/18 performance of governing body/GDP 4. Set calendar for 2017/18 5. Agree provisional school improvement and governance priorities 2018/19 - Chair/HT fortnightly update meetings

August - 23rd August: GCSE results - Governors present at school on results day - Prep media statements

Plus the following activities on an ongoing basis or as/when required throughout the year:

• New governor inductions • Register new directors (trustees) with Companies House • Ensure governor details are updated on the national database of governors on Edubase • Notify the Department for Education (DfE) via EduBase within 14 days of the appointment or vacating of the positions of member, trustee, local governor, chair of

trustees, chairs of local governing bodies, accounting officer and chief financial officer (not all applicable at this time) • Governor training • Governor visits • Write new policies/review existing policies • Liaison with School Council • Preparation for an Ofsted inspection