GIFFORD AT A GLANCE
INFORMATION FOR PARENTS

GOVERNORS OF GIFFORD PRIMARY SCHOOL
The Governing Body meet at least once every term to discuss and resolve the issues which affect the running and performance of the school. In addition to attending the termly meeting, Governors also attend various committee meetings. These committees meet on a more frequent basis in order to deal with specific aspects of the Governing Body's functions in the areas of Resources, Premises and Teaching and Learning. We are always looking for volunteers to be parent governors and are currently also seeking community and sponsor governors.  It should be noted that all newly elected Governors are now be subject to a check by the Criminal Records Bureau.

The current members of the Governing Body are as follows: -

 

The Clerk to the Governing Body is Charmaine Julien. All members of the Governing Body, and the Clerk, may be contacted by using the school address. The term of office of all Governors is 4 years from the date of their appointment. The parent Governors' represent the parents view at all meetings.

GOVERNING BODY MEETINGS
We always welcome parents to our termly governing body meetings in order that they can discuss issues with governors and also learn about activities undertaken by the governing body during the previous school year.  Full details of school policies and procedures are available in the school brochure.  Parents may request a meeting with the governing body to discuss progress and related issues. 

KEY STAGE 2 TARGETS
The Key Stage 2 targets for pupils to achieve Level 4 and above are:

PROGRESS ON IMPLEMENTING THE ACTION PLAN FOLLOWING OFSTED INSPECTION
Gifford's most recent OFSTED inspection was in September 2004.  We are addressing the action points through a Raising Attainment Plan and governors are working with  staff and a team of external advisors (who work with us in the Intensive Support Programme (ISP)) to ensure that our school has systems and procedures which promote the achievement of all our pupils.
Key Issues and a summary of actions are:
To raise standards and pupils’ achievement in Maths.
· The creation of layered curricular targets in Maths initially focusing on problem solving skills
· A range of training opportunities to develop teacher skills
· We are part of a Primary Strategy Learning network which is Maths based
· We introduced standard end of unit assessments
To introduce rigorous systems for monitoring the school’s work.
· Analysis of planning to develop consistency across the school
· Development of teacher skills in the scrutiny of pupils work
· Paired observations with local authority staff to monitor the quality of teaching and learning.
To ensure that assessment information is used consistently to match work to the needs of pupils.
· Training in the use of key questions
· Regular target getting meetings with teachers to track pupils progress
To continue our endeavours to improve the rate of pupil attendance.
The inspectors report confirmed that the school works extremely hard to promote good attendance and punctuality.  However some pupils attendance is very poor and their progress is badly affected because they miss so much schooling.  We try to encourage the parents of these pupils to bring their children to school every day but some families do not respond.  Sadly these families continue to have a negative effect on their own child’s education, the whole school’s attendance figures and they can also affect the progress of others when too much of the teacher’s time is taken by recapping work missed.

OTHER SCHOOL FOCUSES IN TRAINING AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
In addition to the focuses described above we have also been
· Developing pupils as learners
o Use of ‘I can’ statements and individual targets
o Pupils self evaluation of their learning
Ongoing Development
· ICT  training in use of new hardware and software
· PE Dance

SCHOOL BUDGET FOR CURRENT AND PREVIOUS YEARS
The following are the main budget heads and expenditure figures for last year and this year. During the last year there were no financial gifts to the school and the Governors received no emoluments, disbursements or expenses.

SCHOOL SECURITY
The Premises Committee continues to monitor and review the security of the school premises in consultation with the Facilities Management company and the owners of the building. Regular meetings are held and site inspections undertaken to determine and monitor any works that may require to be undertaken.
The school site is secured at all times during the school day and entry is controlled for both pedestrians and vehicles via a CCTV system managed through the school office.

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