Finance & HR
“Go and make followers of all the nations. Baptize them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. 20 Teach them to do all the things I have told you”- Matthew 28:16-20
When we make finance and resources decisions we do it with the Great Commission (Mathew 28) in mind. Leaders and Governors weigh all decisions against the standard of:
This is our school. Let peace dwell here
Let the rooms be full of contentment.
Let love abide here.
Love of one another, love of mankind, love of life itself and love of God.
Let us remember that as many hands build a house, so many hearts make a school.
BEST VALUE STATEMENT
Introduction
The Governing Body is accountable for the way in which the school’s resources are allocated to meet the objectives set out in the school's development plans. Governors need to secure the best possible outcome for pupils, in the most efficient and effective way, at a reasonable cost. This will lead to continuous improvement in the school's achievements and services
What Is Best Value?
Governors will apply the four principles of best value:
- Challenge - Is the school’s performance high enough? Why and how is a service provided? Do we still need it? Can it be delivered differently? What do parents want?
- Compare - How does the school’s pupil performance and financial performance compare with all schools? How does it compare with LA schools? How does it compare with similar schools?
- Consult - How does the school seek the views of stakeholders about the services the school provides?
- Compete - How does the school secure efficient and effective services? Are services of appropriate quality and economic?
The Governors’ Approach
The Governors, the Senior Management Team and the School Business Manager will apply the principles of best value when making decisions about:
- the allocation of resources to best promote the aims and values of the school.
- the targeting of resources to best improve standards and the quality of provision.
- the use of resources to best support the various educational needs of all pupils.
This will apply in particular to:
- staffing
- use of premises
- use of resources
- quality of teaching
- quality of learning
- purchasing
- pupils’ welfare
- health and safety.
Governors, the Senior Management Team and the School Business Manager
- will not waste time and resources on investigating minor areas where few improvements can be achieved
- will not waste time and resources to make minor savings in costs
- will not waste time and resources by seeking tenders for minor supplies and services.
Staffing
Governors, the Senior Management Team and the School Business Manager will deploy staff to provide best value in terms of quality of teaching, quality of learning, adult-pupil ratio and curriculum management, given available resources.
Use of Premises
Governors, the Senior Management Team and the School Business Manager will consider the allocation and use of teaching areas, support areas and communal areas, to provide the best environment for teaching & learning, for support services, and for communal access to central resources.
Use of Resources
Governors, the Senior Management Team and the School Business Manager will deploy equipment, materials and services to provide pupils and staff with resources which support quality of teaching and quality of learning.
Teaching
Governors and the Senior Management Team will review the quality of curriculum provision and quality of teaching, to provide parents and pupils with:
- a curriculum which meets national requirements and the needs of pupils
- teaching which builds on previous learning and has high expectations for children’s achievement.
Learning
Governors and the Senior Management Team will review the quality of children’s learning to provide teaching which enables children to achieve nationally expected progress, e.g. setting of annual pupil achievement targets.
Purchasing
Governors, the Senior Management Team and the School Business Manager will develop procedures for assessing need, and obtaining goods and services which provide “best value” in terms of suitability, efficiency, time and cost.
Total Value Requirements Under £500 1 oral or written quote
£500 - £5,000 2 written quotes
£5,000 - £30000 3 written quotes on written specification or brief
£30,000 + Tender regulations apply
The Headteacher has the delegated responsibility to place purchase orders to the value of £5,000.00 without referral to the Governing body*. Expenditure between £5,000 - £20,000 requires the approval of the Governing body. Expenditure between £20,000 - £30,000 requires the approval of the Full Governing Body
Learning Environment
Governors, the Senior Management Team and the School Business Manager will review the quality of the school environment and the school ethos, in order to provide a supportive environment conducive to learning and recreation.
Health & Safety
Governors, the Senior Management Team and the School Business Manager will review the quality of the school environment and equipment, carrying out risk assessments where appropriate, in order to provide a safe working environment for pupils, staff and visitors.
[This statement is reviewed every October, by the school FGB]
As of 1st September 2021, the school has no employees with a gross annual salary of £100,000 or more. (This has been the case since the school opened).
The school's finances can be compared with those of other schools by visiting:
Facilities time
The Headteacher is an elected NAHT official for the county branch. He spends approximately 2 hours a week engaged in union activities.