Our Governors

Our Governors

“High quality effective and ethical governance is key to success in our school system and for the future of children and young people” Governance Handbook, Department of Education, March 2019.

Schools are facing difficult times with Central Government expecting Governing Bodies to drive efficiency savings without compromising on the education of the children in their care.  Having successfully completed the school rebuilding programme whilst maintaining our high pupil outcomes and embarking on the renewal of the Bishops Certificate in Church School Governance, the Governing Body at Eltham Church of England are now looking to the next stage of strategic planning.

The Governing Body, although not directly involved in the day to day running of the school, are along with the Head Teacher and Senior Leadership Team, responsible for the whole school environment ensuring the delivery of the children’s education in a safe, inclusive, fun and challenging way, and for ensuring that the school fulfills their statutory responsibilities.

In keeping with a defined strategy the Governing Body at Eltham always strives to have the widest range of skills sets as possible represented on the board.  We annually review the Governing Body’s strengths and weaknesses to ensure we have the right abilities to meet the very exacting standards required of Governors despite it being a voluntary role. Where need be we undertake specific training individually and collectively.  This attitude is reflected in an endorsement of the Governing Body by Julie Taylor Head of School Improvement, Inclusion, Learning and Achievement at the Royal Borough of Greenwich when she said;

“The Governing Body at Eltham Church of England are exceptionally  knowledgeable and fulfil their role to a high standard….they are clear about their role as strategic leaders, … setting key priorities … modelling culture, values and ethos. They are relentless in their pursuit of further improving entitlement for the children in their care … safe guarding is “everyone’s” business in the school. They … abide by and model “the principles of public life” as set out by Lord Nolan … They are steadfast in their commitments to doing right by the pupils past and present.” (the full quote can be found HERE).

It is the responsibility of the Governing Body to ensure that the Strategic Leadership, Accountability, People, Structures, Compliance and Evaluation of the school is outstanding and as such consult with the widest possible range of stakeholders these include not only those actively involved with the school but outside agencies, advisers, local communities, the Church and other schools locally and elsewhere in the UK to make this happen at Eltham Church of England Primary School.

Eltham’s Governing Body is looking to become a centre of excellence for governance and is building a wide range of external contacts throughout the educational sector.   We are lucky to have a stable and committed set of Governors at Eltham who are always looking to the future. The school reputation and the highest standards of education for the children in our care firmly sits at the centre of all we do.

Rupert Osborn
Chair of Governors

Governance Annual Statement September 2021

Meet the Governors

Chair of Governors

Vice-Chair of Governors

Other Governors