Governor Conference

Governor Conference Saturday 25th November 2017

Department for Schools and Colleges Headteacher Report to Governors

Overview • Welcome & Introductions • Purpose and Content of the Headteacher’s Report • Rationale behind initiative • Headteacher Report to Governors Template

Who decides what is included in Headteacher’s Report to Governors? ‘The Governing Body, not the Headteacher, should determine the scope and format of Headteacher's Reports. This will mean that the Governing Body receives the information it needs in a format that enables it to stay focused on its core strategic functions and not get distracted or overwhelmed by information of secondary importance’. [Section 2.4.1 of the Governance Handbook]

Purpose of Headteacher’s Report Report should fulfil three vital functions: • Means by which Headteacher accounts to Governors for day-to-day management of school and, especially, on standards and the quality of education. It should outline the progress and development of the School Improvement Plan and provide information on management of resources and the curriculum; • Should assist with decision-making process by providing information vital for formulating policy, identifying issues and prioritising them. It will also provide opportunities to offer advice and challenge; • Provides important contextual data about school that can be used for other purposes, such as the completion of the SEF and preparation for the school’s annual planning process.

How do Headteacher’s Reports help Governors? • Fulfil their duties of challenge and support; • Keep up to date on the key issues facing the school (School Improvement Plan); • Maintain focus on the school’s priorities; • Make well informed decisions; • Ask informed questions. • Develop clear understanding of work of school

Content of Headteacher’s Report • Focus on school improvement priorities and progress on implementing plans • Summarise information that has been explored in greater detail in committee meetings • Draw attention to the national and local context and implications for the school • Help governors fulfil their key roles • Provide data and highlight action required by Governing body

Key principles of Headteacher’s Report • Reporting arrangements and contents of reports should be the result of negotiation and agreement with clear objectives established and reporting and content related to the governing body's working structures. • Reports including information on performance which ensures governors are in a position to discuss the progress the school is or is not making in line with targets set. • Information should include performance data about the school and how it compares with similar schools. • The headteacher provides summarised reports on local and national legislation and policy developments. This should include information about specific identified target groups. • Reports could include progress against the Ofsted Framework headings

Preferred Style The content and style of the Headteacher’s termly Report to governors is likely to vary from school to school, reflecting the wide variety of working and decision-making structures within the archdiocese/LA Consider: • What will encourage Governors to read the report carefully? • How do I ensure it will be easy for them to read and understand? • What do Governors need to know? • Mirroring Ofsted Framework/Improvement Plan/SEF

Characteristics of Good Practice A Headteacher’s report is likely to be effective when it: • is kept brief but as informative as possible; • is well structured, using consistent headings; • indicates items for action and the role of governors in making decisions; • avoids using unexplained jargon and acronyms; • presents data with clear explanations; • Over course of year, reports should provide comprehensive analysis of work of school. This could form part of the school’s self-evaluation and improvement planning.

Religious Education Matters What should be included in Headteacher’s Report regarding the school Religious Education provision for its pupils?

LEADERS AND MANAGERSSECTION 48 R.E. INSPECTION How well do leaders and Governors promote, monitor and evaluate provision for the Catholic Life, Religious Education and Collective Worship of the school, and plan and implement improvement to outcomes for pupils?

Things to consider including in Report • How well leaders, governors and managers promote the work of the Catholic school; • How well leaders, governors and managers monitor and evaluate provision and outcomes in order to plan future improvements; • How well leaders, governors and managers implement improvement in respect of the Catholic Life of the school; • How well leaders, governors and managers promote, monitor and evaluate the quality of provision for Collective Worship

Headteacher’s Report:Key Recommendations • Written Report sent to governors 7 days prior to the meeting • Highlight key points - do not read out or go through every point • Questions/comments as you go through report • Highlight issues that need decision or referral to committee/SLT • Main foci: teaching & learning, progress, standards of achievement • Include items that enable governors to think and plan ahead • Give progress report on School Improvement Plan

Key Recommendations (cont) • Use SEF to assist their involvement in monitoring & evaluation • Report briefly on key activities – governors do not need all details or list of visitors to school! • Highlight successes • Not necessary to report on same topics every term – plan report across the year and report at an appropriate time • Do not repeat information that is included in committee minutes, etc. Summarise if needed! • Do not include detailed information about issues relating to individual pupils or staff that may need further action by members of Governing Body.

Report to Governors Working Party

Suggested Format of Report • Based on Wigan LA Model • Uses OFSTED Framework • RE first item • Ideas for Agendas • Tips • Ideas for Secondary Colleagues shared

Working Party Findings • Format gave HTs a structure to work to • Governors like the format – especially the data and the RE section • Ability to delegate sections to other members of staff • Found “committee” headings useful • Uses OFSTED framework • Can add or omit sections as required – easily adapted • Add heading on staff well being under L&M • Add column for mobility on data section • Add a heading entitled SIP Reports!

The Way Forward • Template was discussed at this term’s HT briefings • Put on to Perspective and emailed to HT if requested • It is not compulsory! • Shared with Governors at the Governors’ Conference November 2017 • Put on the Governors’ section of the Archdiocese website after this Conference

Archdiocese Recommendations • Always begin meetings with a welcome and prayer • RE: is a core subject therefore should be first item on HT Report • Always include an item on HT Health & Well-being – Information on the Archdiocese website under Governance • Dates of meetings to fit in with the school improvement cycle • Ensure Governors are on the School Newsletter mailing list so that they know about trips, visits etc. • Refer to the NLG Website for support for Governing Bodies • Tony Hegarty will provide training for Governors • Establish a Code of Conduct for Governors • Ensure all Governors have a DBS- OFSTED September 2016 • Remind Governors that they and not the Headteacher should determine the format of the Report. However, the Archdiocese has issued a recommended template for the Head and Governing Body to trial, based on the Wigan model

From Theory into Practice?

j Headteacher Report to Governors January 2017

Any Questions?

Governor Conference