Meet the Governors

The Governing Body meets once a term. Its members are volunteers who play an important part in working with all members of our school community. They oversee the work of the school and working with the Head Teacher, ensure it provides an excellent education for all our pupils. It has 12 members.

There are no pecuniary or material interests. This is minuted at FGB and Sub committee meetings 

Governor Committees

The Committees of the Governing Body meet once a term or as necessary. They report to all Governors at a full Governing Body meeting. They have a variety of functions.

School Improvement

This Committee ensures that the school meets the requirements of the National Curriculum. It receives and reports on the progress and achievement of all pupils. Policies are reviewed, amended and approved.

Resources/Finance

This committee has three main purposes:

Finance: In consultation with the Head Teacher this committee helps plan and set the school budget. It monitors expenditure against the budget and ensures the school operates within the relevant financial standards. It reviews the use of pupil premium and considers maintenance and improvements.

Staffing: This Committee keeps under review the staffing structure. Members oversee the appointment procedures for staff, review  work life balance, working conditions and well being. They also monitor the effectiveness of staff appraisals.

Premises (incorporating Health, Safety & Welfare): This Committee view progress on premise matters and plan improvements and building work based on our school building development plan. It establishes, implements and monitors the schools Health & Safety Policy and Safeguarding Policy. It keeps under review the schools' Accessibility Plan.

Governing Body 2022-23

• Parent Governors are elected by parents/carers of pupils at the school

• Co-opted Governors are elected by the Governing body

• Staff Governor is elected by all staff colleagues

• La Governor is recommended by the LA and appointed by the Governing Body •   Governors are required to declare any financial interest in accordance with Regulation 16 and Schedule 1 of the School Governance (Roles, procedures and Allowances) England Regulations 2013

• The Governing Body is required to maintain and publish a register of business interests.

• There are no interests recorded either for 2022-23 or the current financial year to date.

Governors are required to declare details of other school governance positions held.

Governors completing their Term of Office in 2022-23

Information for prospective Ribble Drive Governors

There are twelve Ribble Drive school governors and a Clerk working with Mrs. Higson and her staff to ensure Ribble Drive pupils get the best from their time in the school. The governing body works with the head teacher and staff to make sure the school provides a high quality education for its pupils, providing strategic direction to support the head teacher to make the operational day-to-day decisions. 

There are four categories of governors, and at the Ribble Drive we have one Local Authority governor, three parent governors, six co-opted governors, one staff governor and the head teacher. We meet regularly as a Full Governing Board and also in two committees - School Development and Resources. In addition, we have a Strategic working group which focuses on particular issues. Monitoring is carried out by all governors focusing on issues highlighted in the yearly Raising Attainment Plan (RAP). Several governors also take on other responsibilities e.g. health and safety. All governors report back to the relevant committee. 

Minutes of governor meetings are kept in the school office should anyone wish to see them. 

 What being a Ribble Drive governor involves

Being a Ribble Drive governor involves attending full governing body meetings (usually one a term) and being a member of one of the two governor committees. The School improvement Committee looks at developments in teaching and learning in the school, and the Resources Committee looks at areas such as maintenance of the premises, personnel and finances. Membership depends on a governor's areas of interest, expertise and vacancies. These committees usually meet twice a term. Governors are also encouraged to link with an area of the curriculum. 

Settling in as a new governor 

If you agree to become a governor, a mentor will be able to give you an overview of the role including how meetings are conducted, and be able to answer any questions you may have about the role. You will be given a Ribble Drive Welcome Pack for New Governors which will give you information pertinent to the school, and an Induction Pack from Bury Governor Services which includes information on Training for Governors. We would encourage you to attend the next Induction Course (these take place in Bury and other parts of the county both during the day and in the evening so you can you choose the most convenient time) as it will give you information and an overview of what being a governor involves. The Governor's Handbook is also very useful.