Finance and Personnel Governors met on Wednesday 16^th July. They concluded their focus on PE by looking at the planning format and then talking to a group of Year 4 – 6 children about the offer. They were happy to hear the children talk so positively about the PE offer at Newdale.

Governors spent time looking at the finances for the school and nursery. They recognised the difficult balance between securing enough staff to support higher than usual numbers of special educational needs, against the income the school receives. They understand that systems across the setting will undoubtedly have to change in order to accommodate this need.

The Curriculum Governors met this week and thoroughly enjoyed listening to a group of Mighty Oaks Nursery children talk about their experience in setting. They also gained a detailed insight into the planning, the training, the team and the challenges from the Nursery teacher, Mrs Pablos. The Governors can clearly see that the dedication of staff is ensuring the provision is continuing to operate at a high level. They are keen to support the increasing number of SEND that is apparent in the setting.

The Governors also had a focus on the curriculum area of Geography. Year 1 children came to show off their books and talk about all they had been studying. Governors believe that talking to children and staff is the best way to be assured about quality of provision and they look forward to carrying out more of this next year.

The Health & Safeguarding committee met in school on Tuesday of this week. They spent a lot of time looking carefully at the policy and advice around Martyn’s Law linked to site security and terrorism. Governors observed a whole school and nursery drill that loosely replicated what a lock down would be. Governors look forward to hearing feedback from a professional who is going to assess the Newdale site and feedback any points for development linked to security. Governors carried out their regular ‘spot check’ of staff to reassure themselves that the staff at Newdale are well trained and confident in knowing what to do should any safeguarding issues arise.