Stockbridge School Board
- Parents' Room Online
What is the School Board for?
School Boards were introduced by the government in 1988 to increase parental involvement in schools. The School Board therefore forms an important link between parents and School.
As you will know, parents are legally responsible for the education of their children. By sending our children to School, we parents delegate their education to the teachers – as professional educationalists – and there are various ways we as parents can be involved and kept informed about our children’s education. Education is a partnership between parents and teachers, and the more successful this partnership, the more likely our children are to flourish.
The Board works jointly with the PTA on as many issues as possible and there is close co-operation between the two bodies. The PTA forms an important point of contact and consultation between the Board and the other parents in the School. Generally, the PTA has greater involvement in areas of fundraising and social events.
So what exactly does the School Board do?
The Board’s main remit includes taking part in the selection of the Head Teacher and other staff, supporting the School in the achievement of its educational aims, representing the views of parents and promoting relations between the School, parents and the community.The
Board also represents parents and the School in responding to relevant issues
which occur from time to time, at local, regional and national level to further
the interests of the School. The Board has certain rights and responsibilities. For example it has a duty to
approve the Head Teacher’s spending plans for the various budgets under her
control; it has a duty to approve changes in School Policy on issues such as
homework, school hours, uniform, etc; and receives the Head Teacher’s Annual
Report on the School and the level of attainment of pupils. The Board is involved in formulating and approving the School’s Development Plan.
In addition the Board is free to set its own objectives and to set up working
parties and Sub Groups (including other parents, members of the community or
interested parties) to examine and make proposals on issues relevant to its
general aims and/or those raised by parents or staff.
All parents in the School are invited to elect four parent members to the Board. The Staff elect one staff member and two further members are co-opted from the ‘community’ by the elected members. This makes a total of seven members. The Head Teacher is not a member of the Board but is present as an adviser. The Board elects a Chair, a Vice-Chair and a Treasurer, and appoints a Clerk to assist with administration. In addition, the Board can from time to time co-opt further members or special advisers as it feels necessary. These adjunct members do not have voting rights. top
The current Board comprises:
Anna Beynon (Chair) **
Katerina Stein **
Alex Black
Frank Crowe
Barbara Cartwright, Staff member **
Moira
McGovern
(Community member)
Robert Black (Community Member)
** Until elections - November 2005.
If you think you could fill the vacancy on the Board, please speak to any Board Member or email the Chair, Anna Beynon at anna@annabeynon.demon.co.uk
Tomi Folorunso is the Clerk to the Board. Graham Bodenham is the Board's Webmaster.
When does the Board meet?
The Board meets six times a year and any parents and teachers are welcome to attend as observers. Agendas are normally posted on six school notice boards and Stockbridge Library at least 7 days before each meeting. Meeting are normally held in the School Library and are scheduled to last for one hour. Click here for all this year's Meeting dates and the next meeting's Agenda. top
Getting in touch
If you would like any further information about the Board or if you have any questions or issues you would like to have raised by the Board, feel free to speak to any Board member in the playground. Or you can contact any parent member by ‘pupil post’ – just send your note via your child marked with the member’s name and their child’s name and class. Or you can phone Anna Beynon (Chair) on 343 3676 (eve) or email her at: anna@annabeynon.demon.co.uk or write via the School Office or the PTA / Board mail box at the main entrance.
What issues are discussed?
A
variety of issues are discussed and action taken or planned – ongoing issues
at the moment include, for example, links with industry and the community, safe
routes to school, 125th anniversary of the school.
As
parents we respect the professionalism and commitment of the staff. At the same
time we look for ways for parents to have a clear voice in the education of
their children.
How does the Board communicate with parents and teachers?
The Board has a duty to report to the school at least once a year and we issue a series of regular newsletters to let parents know what we have been doing. Minutes of each meeting are posted on the notice boards in school and in Stockbridge Library so that you can read what has been discussed. We also receive a lot of literature from official sources on new policies, reports and initiatives in education: these are available in the Parents’ Room for parents to read if they wish.
How do I get an issue raised at a meeting?
You can contact the Chair or the Clerk via the School Office: just leave a note or a message or drop a letter in the PTA/Board mailbox situated just inside the Main East entrance doorway.
How do I get on to the Board?
Elections are held every two years, in the Autumn term. Watch out for information from the Education Authority which will be sent directly to your home address. top
In November 2003 we will have two vacancies for parent members. No special qualifications are needed. You do need to have an interest in the educational environment of all our children. You will find full details in your Stockbridge School Welcome Pack. If you are thinking of standing for the Board but are unsure of what’s involved and/or have some queries, you are welcome to discuss them with any Board member. You can find leaflets and background information in the Parents’ Room, in the annexe.
If you think this might be for you, or if you would just like any further information about the Board or if you have any questions or issues you would like to have raised by the Board, feel free to speak to any Board member in the playground or you can contact any parent member by ‘pupil post’ – just send your note via your child, marked with the member’s name and their child’s name and class. Or you can phone Anna Beynon (Chair) on 343 3676 (eve) or email her at: anna@annabeynon.demon.co.uk or write via the School Office or the PTA / Board mail box at the main entrance.
| Visit our Scotsman Award-winning school website | top | back | Home | Contact us |
This page is provided by