December Blog 2022 - Andrew Vaughan, Parent Governor

Date: 15th Dec 2022 @ 9:27pm

As we approach the last few days of term and the end of 2022, on behalf of the board of governors, I want to say a big thank you to Mr Lenton and all the amazing teaching and support staff at Boughton Heath Academy. Their work throughout the past year has been dedicated and tireless. Their collective efforts have helped the whole school to thrive and return to some kind of normality in a world post Covid. 

As a parent governor of a child in year 5 it has been wonderful to see the school embrace all of those moments we had so often taken for granted before 2020. 

 In the spring term the return of overnight residentials and class trips enabled our pupils to once again learn outside the classroom in a meaningful way. After school clubs and sports activities have made a welcome comeback with our multi talented class teachers planning and running some brilliant inspirational sessions after hours. Concerts, summer fete, Christmas fair, nativity and my personal favourite, the Halloween disco have given us reason to smile and remember the important role that the school plays in building a strong Boughton Heath community. An acknowledgement and huge thank you from the governors to the PTA must also be said here, as many of these events simply could not happen without their amazing work and time spent to achieve such memorable moments. 

We have once again been wowed by what our children are achieving in class at monthly ‘share the learning’ mornings. It had been such a long time for some of us to get back into the classrooms to see the learning that is happening on a daily basis. 

 As a governor I have been able to get back into school more often this year. I have attended monthly board of governors meetings. These meetings are where we come together to look at the strategic overview of how the school runs. We are there to question, challenge, analyse data, and support how operational decisions are implemented and have impact. 

 A memorable highlight for me during May 2022 was being invited into school as a governor to observe the year 6 SAT tests. 

During this visit I was able to see first hand how the tests are implemented from start to finish. I was able to witness the unlocking of the secure cupboard where the test papers are kept to the sealing and posting of the final sheets. The whole process was carried out with precision and planning. I was impressed by the variety of spaces and individual support offered to children with different needs. This is to ensure that every pupil across the school has the best opportunity to complete their tests in a place that considers the best environment for them to succeed. Once again our year six results were outstanding and is credit to all the teaching staff who get our children ready for assessment each year. 

 I attended a meeting in September to explore the new school vision. A group of governors were presented with a working draft of the proposed new vision and were able to comment and help refine the approach, before it was signed off by the wider group. 

 Each governor at Boughton Heath has a specific area of school life that they lead on. I have link governor responsibility for our Pupil Premium and Looked after Children work. Here, I have a strategic role to check the effective and efficient management of the school’s use of the Pupil Premium Grant. This aims to raise the attainment of Free Schools Meals Children, Looked After Children, and the children of serving members of HM Forces.  

 I visited the school in November to hear how the Pupil Premium grant is being distributed this year. The school produces an annual plan each September that details the aims and objectives for the grant. The majority of our Pupil Premium funding is strategically used to employ one specialist teacher, Mrs Tabb to facilitate individual pupil support packages for pupils and their families. This ensures a well balanced pupil premium offer that addresses the individual needs and circumstances of each child and family. There is effective monitoring of pupil progress. Data is collected and stored on the school’s INSIGHT system. This traffic light system is used to monitor and evaluate impact with early intervention being applied if pupils fall behind their predicted progress levels. Progress is checked and discussed termly at designated Senior Leadership Team (SLT) and trust meetings.  

 Eligibility for qualifying pupils is part of the induction process for new reception aged children each year. It is also included in information packs for new intake students and ways to apply are clearly signposted on the school website. The school recognises that this year may be extremely difficult for some families as the cost of living crisis takes a stronger grip through these difficult winter months. The school adopts an open door policy where parents are welcomed to pose questions and discuss specific needs.  

Further communication about Pupil Premium eligibility will be to sent to parents and carers during the spring term to see if individual family circumstances have changed and see if you are entitled to additional help and support. 

I will finish this blog by once again thanking everyone for their collaborative support, especially through these challenging times we all live through. 

Seeing and feeling the buzz of children preparing and taking part in their Christmas concerts and nativity performances this last week, have really lifted the mood and have added to the festive feeling around school. 

Wishing you all a very happy and peaceful festive period and best wishes for a new year filled with joy, learning and laughter. 

Thank you to all, 

Andrew Vaughan, Parent Governor