Governance

Governing Body

The Governing Body has three main functions:

1. Set and monitor the strategic direction of the school.
2. Manage the Performance of the Head teacher.
3. Ensure the effective financial management of the school.

Our mission

The Hall Orchard Governing Body works to support and challenge the school to be the best it can be for its pupils and staff.  Although a large primary school, Hall Orchard maintains a caring, happy and family environment and this has been reflected in a Good/Outstanding report from Ofsted in March 2025 and with the latest very positive Church SIAMS report in Autumn 2023. We are very proud of the school, staff and especially the pupils and are committed to supporting school in delivering its development plan and driving continuous improvement to the best of our ability.  With this in mind, I share below the purpose of a governing body and what impact governors should achieve.

All schools have governing bodies, and our purpose is to help the school to provide the best possible education for every pupil and help them reach the highest standards of achievement.

At Hall Orchard, the governing body comprises different types of appointed governors; Foundation (Church), Member and Co-opted appointed, Parent, Diocesan representative and the Head Teacher, but we all work together as one group in the best interests of the school.

A school functions best when the governing body and the Head Teacher work together as a team in pursuit of common values. This certainly doesn’t mean that the governors are there just to rubber stamp decisions that are made by the Head Teacher. The governors’ relationship can best be described as a “critical friend”. Governors are volunteers who work with senior leaders to push forward the strategic development of the school and raise standards of achievement. Governors bring a huge range of skills and expertise from their professional lives to the governing board.

All Governing boards have three core functions, whether in maintained school or academies:

• Ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction
• Holding leaders to account for the educational performance of the organisation and its pupils, and the effective and efficient performance management of staff, and
• Overseeing the financial performance of the organisation and making sure its money is well spent.

Governors monitor and evaluate the work of the school, offering constructive advice, a sounding board for ideas and a second opinion on proposals. We are not there to interfere in the operational day to day running of the school, or to comment on the quality or methods employed by the teaching staff – those are the responsibility of the Head Teacher.

Our vision

For our children to be confident, ambitious learners who demonstrate the personal values and skills necessary to make a positive contribution to the global community.

To be an excellent school where all children achieve their best.

Our school is a caring family where everyone is valued and encouraged to achieve their potential as well as to have respect for God and His world.

The governing board uses the Vision and Values of the school when creating the Strategy Document (which can be found on the website under Governance) to focus on how we challenge and support Hall Orchard whilst upholding the values of our Church school.

Governors’ work can be challenging and demanding at times but is also very rewarding.  If you would like to know more or know someone in the community that would be interested, please don’t hesitate to contact the school office.  More information about the Hall Orchard governors can be found on the Hall Orchard website.

Meet our Governors

Click on a profile to view the pen portrait

Governor Vacancies

We currently have two vacancies for Parent Governors on the school’s Governing Body and would like to invite parents and carers to consider putting themselves forward for this role.

Parent Governors play an important part in the strategic leadership of the school, working with the Headteacher and other governors to help ensure the best possible outcomes for all pupils.

Full information about the role, eligibility, and the nomination process can be found in the attached letter and supporting documents. These also include details of the timeline and how to submit a nomination.

We would encourage anyone who is interested, or who would like to find out more, to read the information provided and consider applying. Serving as a Parent Governor can be a rewarding way to contribute to the school community.

If you have any questions after reading the attached information, please do not hesitate to contact our Chair of Governors (details can be found within the letter)

Governance Documents