Governors’ Annual Report to Parents 2020-2021
Introduction
This report had been prepared to provide details of the core functions completed by the LGB during 2020-21 under several key headings.
Composition of the Local Governing Board (“LGB”)
For the 2020-2021 academic year, the LGB of Redhill Primary Academy comprised of the following members: -
By routinely updating our skills audit records to reflect the composition of the LGB, we have continued to ensure that there remains a broad range of skills and expertise amongst members of the Board and in order to effectively support the Headteacher to address the Academy improvement priorities for the year.
COVID-19
From March 2020, the situation with COVID-19 understandably impacted on the ability of the LGB to complete its normal onsite monitoring activities, from meeting in person to discuss progress and scrutinising data reports in this respect and other routine matters. In consequence, the LGB determined to adopt a pragmatic approach to the situation and, particularly to ensure that all key items of termly business continued to be addressed, where required. Teams meetings were held to still allow the LGB to scrutinise and analyse the progress made by the school. These arrangements were supplemented by the Headteacher providing routine email communications to keep the LGB informed of how the Academy was responding to the effects of the pandemic and also regarding its reopening preparations in line with government directives over the coming months.
Core Function report
During the year, the LGB has: -
Plans for 2021-22
Redhill Primary Academy continues to be successful and a popular choice of local school. The LGB, the Headteacher and all staff continue to be committed to driving improvements in pupils’ progress and attainment.
The LGB will continue to undertake routine monitoring activities during 2021-2022, as broadly set out in this report, and it will continue to provide support to the Headteacher to ensure that pupils are provided with an appropriate learning environment, with every opportunity to reach their best possible potential. In addition to the improvement targets determined for the 2021-2022 academic year, the Academy has formulated other priorities relating to COVID-19. As such, the LGB will also review progress in these areas, particularly to monitor the wellbeing and attendance of pupils, the support provided for pupils yet to reach age-related standards and the well-being of staff.
As part of this report, the LGB would like to take this opportunity to express its gratitude to the Headteacher, Senior Leadership team and all members of the teaching and administrative/support staff for their hard work and commitment during this challenging period. Despite the full national lockdown in January 2021, the Academy continued to provide a face-to-face educational provision for vulnerable pupils and also for children of key workers. Considerable work was undertaken to further develop the high-quality remote learning provision to support pupils to work at. As a Board, we are immensely proud of the Academy’s employees who have worked tirelessly throughout to ensure that we continue to provide the best education and care possible for our pupils, regardless of the difficulties presented by the pandemic.
To discuss any aspect of this report, or to find out about opportunities which may be able to join the Local Governing Board, please contact the Chair of Governors via the Academy.
Beth Tutchener-Ellis
Chair of Governors
July 2021