Welcome to the St Augustine of Canterbury Catholic Primary School Governors' page

The Governing Body is made up of a range of people from many different backgrounds, including representatives from the Local Authority, the local community, parents and staff. All Governors are volunteers and we offer our time, skills and experience to help run the school. The Educational Reform Acts, introduced since 1988 have given the Governors a great deal of extra responsibility, which makes increasing demands on our time and expertise. However, despite this pressure of commitment, we endeavour to assist the staff through our availability and readiness to deal with any matters arising and by contributing in a positive and supportive way. Working as an efficient and effective team within a Catholic environment, we aim to achieve a standard of excellence appropriate to each individual by encouraging and equipping each child for their future.

St Augustine of Canterbury Catholic Primary School is a voluntary-aided school, which means that the Governors are responsible for 10% of the structural maintenance costs. Parents are encouraged to take advantage of the Government's Gift Aid scheme in an effort to contribute towards building and maintenance costs. 

The role of a governor

The role of the Governing Body is to work with the Head Teacher and staff to offer all children at St Augustine of Canterbury Catholic Primary School the best educational opportunities possible.  Our main task is in the area of school improvement – in practice, we continually try to make the school the best it can be. Running the school on a daily basis is the responsibility of the Head Teacher and staff. The Governing Body is responsible for:

• Ensuring the Catholic ethos of the school is safeguarded;
• Developing and maintaining a strategic vision for the school that reflects our distinctive Catholic ethos;
• Managing the school budget;
• Reviewing the school structure and the appointment of senior staff;
• Ensuring a broad and balanced curriculum;
• Reporting on the standards achieved;
• Following Ofsted and Section 48 inspections, drawing up an action plan in response to the findings and recommendations;
• Ensuring Health and Safety requirements are met and promote the well-being of pupils and staff;
• Promoting links with the community;
• Making sure children with special needs have access to the curriculum, and
• Reviewing and agreeing policies and practice which allow the Head Teacher the necessary tools to carry out his responsibilities.

How the Governing Body works

The governing body meets as a Full Governing Body up to six times per academic year to work together. We have three sub-committees who report to the full governing body, who meet in addition to discuss their areas of special interest:

• Curriculum and Performance
• Finance and Resources
• Admissions and Community

Governors work strategically towards the objectives set out in the Governor Development Plan (GDP), whilst the Head Teacher has the responsibility for the day-to-day running of the school. Governors with specific subject responsibilities visit the school at least three times per year. Their subject specific reports are given to the Curriculum and Performance Committee before being passed onto the Full Governing Body. Committee meetings often take place in the evenings starting at 7:00pm.

Becoming a Governor at St Augustine of Canterbury Catholic Primary School

• Foundation Governors are appointed by the Bishop to ensure that the Catholic ethos of the School is safeguarded.
• Parent Governors are elected by parents for a fixed term of 4 years. Parents are advised in writing when a vacancy for a parent Governor becomes available. Full details are provided at the time or are available on request from the school’s main office.
• Local Authority Governors (LA Governors) are nominated by local Councillors.
• Staff Governors are members of school staff who are elected by the staff (the Staff Governor can be elected form either teaching or non-teaching staff).
• Co-opted are appointed by the Governing Body to represent the community interests or bring specific skills to the Governing Body.

If you would like further information, or would like to contact the governors, please write to:

The Chair of Governors:

St Augustine of Canterbury Catholic Primary School
Boscombe Crescent,
Downend,
Bristol,
South Gloucestershire
BS16 6QR

The current Chair of Governors is Mr Stephen Wells

Please find information relating to the Governing Body at St Augustine of Canterbury Catholic Primary School below