Who Are The Governors And What Do They Do?

The Governors are a group of volunteers that have three main roles:

1. Providing Strategic Direction For The School

This creates a framework in which the headteacher and staff work. It includes:

• Determining the school’s vision.
• Setting the school budget.
• Determining the priorities for school improvement.
• Setting policy for a range of areas from assessment and feedback to managing behaviour to safeguarding.
• Ensuring all statutory duties are met.
• Leading the management performance of the headteacher.

2. Being A Critical Friend

This involves providing support and challenge as required. This can be done in a number of ways, including:

• Asking questions at meetings of the Governing Body
• Making visits to the school to gather first hand evidence of the progress made in meeting its priorities
• Monitoring spending against the budget set
• Monitoring the impact of school improvement activities
• Monitoring standards trough analysis of performance data and self-evaluation activities
• Providing a ‘sounding board’ for ideas
• Providing constructive advice

3. Being Accountable

This is how the Governing Body explains and, when necessary, justifies its actions and decisions. This is done mainly through the annual report it produces for parents, providing meetings for parents and providing information for those with a legitimate interest such as the Archdioceses, Local Authority, Estyn, Welsh Government and Consortium.

Governance Update

At the end of the 2023 / 2024 academic year, the Governing Body decided to review and reform the governance of the school.

The full Governing Body meets at least once a term, or more frequently if circumstances require.  However, the real work of the Governing Body is done by its committees.  Some of those committees (such as those which handle disciplinary or grievance issues) meet only when required, but the 5 main committees meet at least twice a term.  These are: -

• The Senior Strategy Group comprises the Chair of Governors, the Vice Chair of Governors, and the Headteacher.  It meets monthly and has responsibility for overseeing the overall direction of the School, identifying issues which need to be addressed, and considering new opportunities for development.

• The Performance & Improvement Committee focuses on academic standards and striving to ensure that the children are fulfilling their potential.

• The Finance, Staffing & Pay Committee is responsible for the finances of the School, which includes budget monitoring and staffing levels.

• The Premises, Health & Safety Committee has responsibility for the fabric of the school and all health and safety issues, including Safeguarding.

• The Community & Wellbeing Committee is a new committee which was established in September 2024.  Its purpose is to promote links between the School and the wider community, and to promote the welfare of staff and children alike.

Additionally, we have Link Governors with special responsibility for certain key areas.  The role of the Link Governor is to provide the Senior Leadership Team with support in their designated area and to act as a liaison between the Senior Leadership Team and the Full Governing Body. 

At present, we have Link Governors with special responsibility for: Additional Learning Needs; Health & Safety; Safeguarding; Governor Training; Equality & Diversity; and Wellbeing of Future Generations. 

There are different types of Governors. The number of each type of Governors depends upon the size of the school.

Foundation Governors

These are appointed by the Archdiocese.

There are seven foundation Governors at St Alban’s Catholic Primary School. These are:

Fr Sebastian (Chair Of Governors)

Simon Care (Vice Chair of Governors)

Kathryn Bowen

Dr Clare Jackson

Fr Alexander Gee

David Thomas

John Houlston

Parent Governor

This person is selected by the parents/carers of the children at the school.

There is one parental Governor at St Alban’s Catholic Primary School. He is called Adam Foster

Local Authority Governor

Cardiff City Council select this person.

There is one local authority governor at St Alban’s Catholic Primary School. She is called Alison Jenner.

Teacher Governor

This person is selected by the teachers at the school.

There is one teacher Governor at St Alban’s Catholic Primary School. She is called Samantha Cabrera .

Staff Governor

Staff, other than the teachers, selects this person. There is one staff Governor at St Alban’s Catholic Primary School. She is called Kelly Duke.

Headteacher

The headteacher of the school is a governor. Rachel Woodward is therefore part of the governing body at St Alban’s Catholic Primary School.