Governance

Oaks Park High School is part of the Cheam Academies Network (CAN) Multi-Academy Trust.  The Trust employs the staff, is the lease holder for the site and holds overall responsibility for the finances of the Trust.  They are also responsible for the appointment and performance of the Headteacher of the school. Members of the Trust Board are called Directors of the Trust.  For more information about the Trust (or Company) please go the Trust Information page on the Trust website here.

The Trust is responsible for the Governance arrangements of the school.  The school's Governing Body undertakes much of this role.  The Trust provides a Scheme of Delegation which makes clear the responsibilities delegated to the Local Governing Body.

For more information about the Governance of the Trust, please go to the Governance page on the Trust website here

What does the Governing Body do?

The Governing Body provides strategic leadership and holds the school to account for overall performance.  The Governing Body appoints teaching and support staff, is responsible for the site and prioritises and monitors expenditure of school finances. They will also take part in the appointment of the Headteacher and members of the Leadership team. 

Amongst other things, the Governing Body will agree, or recommend to the Trust Board:

  • the aims and objectives for the school
  • the policies which provide a framework for the school's work 
  • priorities for development each year
  • the annual financial budget across different areas of expenditure

They will also:

  • confirm, or make recommendations for, the curriculum on offer
  • receive reports on performance, and act as a critical friend.  This will include:
    • the standards of teaching
    • students’ performance in public examinations
    • the quality of provision in the school for different subjects, different groups of students and those with particular needs

The Governing Body will also oversee the condition and safety of the site, developments in this area and also the financial health of the school.

Individual governors at Oaks Park High School can also take on an area of school provision as a particular interest.  These will usually include:  Child Protection and Safeguarding, Literacy and English, Numeracy and Mathematics, SEN, Post 16, Student Group Performance, Health and Safety and Behaviour and Attendance. 

Who is on the Governing Body?

The governing body was newly formed in September 2019.

A list of school governors can be found by clicking here

A register of governors' business interests can be found by clicking here

Governing Body attendance for 2023-24 can be found by clicking here

The Governing Body of Oaks Park High School has the following mandatory governor positions:

  • 2 parent governors (elected by parents of the school)
  • 2 staff governors (elected by staff in the school)
  • Ex officio Headteacher (this means that the Headteacher of the school is automatically a governor)

In addition, there will be at least 5 further members of the Governing Body (or LGB). 

For the first year that the school joins the Trust, there will be the following members in addition to those above:

  • the Chief Executive Officer of the Trust
  • 4 Directors appointed by the Trust Board

The Governance arrangements FAQ page explains this situation and how there will be a transition to the situation where other governors are appointed in place of the initial directors.

The Governing Body can also appoint additional governors where there is a need in terms of workload or skills needed to effectively fulfil their role.  The size of the Governing Body is limited to 20 governors. The maximum number of staff governors is limited to 3.

All governors have the same roles and responsibilities once part of the Governing Body.  Decisions are made collectively.  Terms of office are 4 years, except for the ex officio Headteacher.  Governors elect a Chairman of the Governing Body each year and also a Vice Chairman. 

Governing Body Key Foci and Committees:

Within the Governing Body, there are distinct areas of focus with a lead governor who leads these sections of the Governing Body agenda.  In addition, there are distinct committees that look at specific aspects of work and report back via minutes to the Governing Body.  Each of these committees has Terms of Reference, a Programme of Work for the year and a Chairman appointed by the Governing Body.

Regular focus areas within the Local Governing Body meetings include the following:

Curriculum: looking at performance and progress of students, curriculum offered to students, subject performance, teaching and learning; staff development.

Finance: ensuring that expenditure is as budgeted, questioning any variation and receiving any advice as a result of Auditors’ reports and accounts, taking action as needed.

Premises: monitoring expenditure on utilities, renovation and agreed projects, checking health and safety related issues and ensuring that the site is well maintained.

In addition, committees include the following:

Admissions: overseeing the process of admission and deciding any special considerations.

Pay: looking at outcomes of performance management with regard to pay, recommending significant changes to staffing structures, monitoring staff attendance levels and advising on personnel issues as needed.

Catering Working Group: overseeing the Catering Service.

Joint Consultative Group: staff and union representatives looking at staff related policies and raising any terms and conditions concerns for consideration by the Trust.