Hello and welcome to the governors pages for the South Hams Federation.  My name is Jane Greaves and I am the current Chair of Governors.  I have been a governor for 18 years and Chair for 8.

The Board of Governors of the South Hams Federation represents the five schools within the Federation (Loddiswell, Malborough C of E with South Huish, Modbury and Stokenham Primary Schools).

In accordance with the Government’s requirement for all governing bodies, the core strategic functions of the South Hams Federation Board of Governors are establishing the strategic direction by:

• Setting the vision, values, and objectives for the Federation
• Agreeing the Federation improvement plan with priorities and targets
• Agreeing the Governors’ improvement plan with priorities and targets
• Meeting statutory duties.

Ensuring accountability, by:

• Appointing the Executive Headteacher
• Monitoring progress towards targets
• Performance managing the Executive Headteacher
• Monitoring staff well-being
• Engaging with stakeholders
• Contributing to Federation self-evaluation.

Overseeing financial performance, by:

• Setting the budget
• Monitoring spending against the budget
• Ensuring value for money is obtained

 Instrument of Government: The South Hams Federation Board of Governors comprises:

• One Executive Headteacher
• Two Parent Governors
• One Staff Governor
• One Local Authority Governor
• Five Co-Opted Governors
• Two Foundation Governors, one of which is Ex-Officio (The Foundation Governors are appointed by Exeter Diocesan Board of Education).

Total number of Governors 12

Governance

• The Board of Governors meets five times a year.
• Governors hold School Improvement Plan meetings at least once a term to challenge and hold senior leaders to account and report back to the full Board of Governors.
• The two Standards Committees meet as required.
• The Ethos Committee meets once a term.
• The Executive Committee (comprising Chair, Executive Headteacher, Federation Finance Officer & Federation Operations Officer) meets once a month.

The Board of Governor meetings are held in school time, allowing Governors the opportunity to meet the children and staff, undertake Learning Walks and see all four schools operating on a day- to-day basis.

Each year, Governors are required to complete a Skills Audit to identify the skills, knowledge and experience to identify any additional skills or experience that the Board ideally requires. The outcome of the audit helps formulate opinion as to whether prospective Governors have the skills to contribute to effective governance and the success of the Federation.

The Board has an Improvement Plan and undertakes a self-evaluation.  

How You Can Contact the Board of Governors

We always welcome feedback, suggestions and ideas from parents.  If you would like to contact me, please email me at jgreaves@southhamsfederation.org.uk, or you can contact our Clerk to Governors, Mrs Hannah Iles, at Clerk@southhamsfederation.org.uk 

Jane Greaves
Chair
South Hams Federation