Governance at Wood Lane Primary School

Our Interim Executive Board (IEB)

How is Wood Lane Primary School governed?

All schools need effective governance to ensure that they are well led, accountable and focused on providing the best possible education for their pupils.

Governance plays an important role in setting the strategic direction of a school, overseeing its performance, ensuring that statutory responsibilities are met and holding school leaders to account for the quality of education and outcomes for children.

At Wood Lane Primary School, governance provides an important link between the school's leadership, its wider responsibilities and its commitment to continuous improvement.

Why do we have an Interim Executive Board?

Following the resignation of the previous governing body, the Local Authority has established an Interim Executive Board (IEB) to provide governance and strategic oversight for the school.

An IEB is a formal interim governance arrangement which takes on the responsibilities of the governing body during a period when additional oversight and support are required.

Its purpose is to ensure that Wood Lane Primary School continues to meet its statutory responsibilities, maintains clear accountability and continues to make progress against its school improvement priorities, including those identified by Ofsted.

The IEB works closely with the Headteacher and senior leadership team, providing support, strategic direction and appropriate challenge. It monitors the school's progress, oversees key areas of responsibility and ensures that the school remains focused on securing the best possible outcomes for its pupils.

The day-to-day leadership and management of the school remain the responsibility of the Headteacher and senior leadership team.

Although the IEB is an interim arrangement, it has an important role in ensuring effective governance, stability and continued improvement at Wood Lane Primary School.

What does the Interim Executive Board do?

The IEB provides strategic leadership, oversight and accountability for the school. Its key responsibilities include:

• Ensuring that the school meets its statutory and regulatory responsibilities.

• Holding the Headteacher and senior leadership team to account for the quality of education and overall school performance.

• Monitoring progress against Ofsted priorities and the school's improvement plan.

• Overseeing safeguarding arrangements to ensure that pupils are safe and well cared for.

• Monitoring the school's financial management and ensuring resources are used effectively.

• Providing oversight of staffing, human resources and workforce matters.

• Supporting the school's continued development and long-term improvement.

The IEB works strategically rather than managing the day-to-day running of the school, which remains the responsibility of the Headteacher and senior leadership team.

Meet our Interim Executive Board

Our Interim Executive Board brings together individuals with relevant experience and expertise to provide effective oversight across the school's key areas of responsibility.

Elizabeth Banks – Chair of the Interim Executive Board

Elizabeth Banks has been appointed by the Local Authority as Chair of the IEB.

Alongside leading the work of the board, Elizabeth has responsibility for oversight of Teaching and Learning, helping to ensure that the quality of education, pupil outcomes and school improvement priorities remain central to the board's work.

The Headteacher

The Headteacher works closely with the IEB, providing updates on the school's performance, priorities, progress and areas for development.

The Headteacher is responsible for the day-to-day leadership and management of the school, while the IEB provides strategic oversight, support and challenge.

Safeguarding – IEB Member

The Safeguarding IEB Member provides oversight of the school's safeguarding arrangements, helping to ensure that appropriate policies, procedures and practices are in place to protect pupils and promote their welfare.

Finance – IEB Member

The Finance IEB Member provides oversight of the school's financial management, budget setting and use of resources, helping to ensure that financial decisions support the school's priorities and the best interests of pupils.

Human Resources (HR) – IEB Member

The HR IEB Member provides oversight of staffing and human resources matters, including workforce planning, staff wellbeing and relevant employment policies and procedures.

Our commitment to Wood Lane Primary School

The IEB is committed to working positively and constructively with the Headteacher, staff, parents and the wider school community.

Its focus is to ensure that Wood Lane Primary School continues to move forward, builds on existing strengths and addresses the areas identified for improvement.

Through effective governance, clear accountability and a shared commitment to school improvement, the IEB will help ensure that every pupil has the opportunity to feel safe, enjoy learning and achieve their full potential.

Our shared priority is to secure the very best possible education and outcomes for every child at Wood Lane Primary School.

Contacting the Interim Executive Board

Parents and members of the school community who wish to contact the Chair or raise a governance-related question can do so through the school office.

Email: office@woodlane.staffs.sch.uk

Telephone: 01782 720487

The school office will ensure that governance-related correspondence is directed to the appropriate person.

Please note that the IEB deals with strategic governance matters. Individual pupil, staffing or operational concerns should initially be directed through the school's usual procedures.

Governance information and transparency

Further information about the IEB, including its membership, appointment details, relevant business interests and meeting attendance information, will be made available in accordance with the applicable governance and publication requirements.

Relevant school policies, statutory information and other important documents can be accessed through the school's website.