Roles, Responsibilities & Minutes

Committees and their responsibilities

Our Finance and Premises Committee

To prepare and agree the annual budget each financial year for formal agreement by the Governing Body
To establish and monitor links between the School Development Plan and actions in school
To evaluate the effectiveness of spending decisions
To consider longer term financial planning linked to the future needs of the school
To ensure school meets its statutory obligations and complies with Academies Financial handbook
To consider relevant supplier contracts and the effectiveness of services provided through them
To monitor pupil roll in relation to income levels
To review delegated spending limits annually in line with Financial Handbook
To consider/approve procurement/contracts in line with financial handbook
To review charging and remissions policy
To receive information on grants and miscellaneous income
To consider outturn statement
To consider and determine response to any financial matters including consultation on changes to funding formula
To investigate financial irregularities
To approve and set up an expenses scheme
To ensure appropriate administration and audit of the School Fund
To consider and ensure best value at all times
To consider financial benchmarking data
To self-evaluate financial competencies of governors
To receive any health and safety reports
To ensure health and safety issues are met
To receive reports on condition of buildings and school environment
To agree maintenance work to be done
To establish and review annually an Appraisal and Capability Policy
To review pay policy

To establish a Pay Committee:

To review performance objectives and pay for Headteacher
To review salary scale for the Leadership team
To consider pay discretions (the Headteacher should not advise on their own pay)

Our People Committee

Established to consider pupil, staff and community inclusion, engagement and wellbeing.

To monitor and review School Development Plan (SDP)
To contribute to School Evaluation Document (SED)
To consider and review policy and practice in:
- Special Educational Needs (SEN)
- Equalities and Community Cohesion
- Child Protection and Safeguarding
To review safeguarding procedures and provide recommendations to FGB for ratification
To monitor pupil roll
To determine staff complement
To review staffing structure
To establish and review annually an Appraisal and Capability Policy
To conduct agreed arrangements for recruitment and selection
Appointment of staff (by Headteacher and one or more governors who have completed Safer Recruitment Training)
To conduct agreed procedures for capability, discipline, grievance, attendance and welfare issues
To conduct dismissal procedures
To consider early retirement
To receive reports and monitor status of any staffing issues
To consider and agree admissions arrangements, for ratification by FGB.
The committee will also take a report from the Friends of WNA as a standing item.

Our Curriculum Committe

To assist in the development of the School Development Plan (SDP)
To monitor and review pupil and school performance
To set and publish targets for pupil achievement
To monitor and review School Development Plan (SDP)
To contribute to School Evaluation Document (SED)
To consider and review policy and practice in:
Homework
Curriculum matters
RE and collective worship
Gifted, Able and Talented Children
Relationships, Sex & Health Education
Receive monitoring and inspection reports from OFSTED or HMI; monitor and review action plans.

Our Full Governing Body

To determine the strategic direction of the school
To monitor and evaluate the performance of the school receiving reports from the Headteacher
To receive reports and ratify recommendations from committees
To approve the annual budget
To investigate financial irregularities
To agree selection panel for headteacher and deputy head appointment
To suspend or end suspension of headteacher
To direct reinstatement of excluded pupils following an appeal
To draw up the Instrument of Government and any amendments thereafter
To appoint (or remove) the chair and vice chair
To appoint or dismiss the clerk to the governors
To hold a governing body meeting at least once a term
To appoint and remove community governors
To set up a register of Pecuniary Interests
To delegate terms of reference to committees and review once a year at the beginning of the academic year
To review the membership of committees once a year at the beginning of the academic year
To set the times of school sessions
To ratify the Self Evaluation Document (SED)
To adopt Financial Procedures in line with the Academies Financial Handbook
To review and approve risk analysis annually
To review the performance of the governing body
To ensure adequate safeguarding procedures are in place
To consider forming a multi academy trust

West Newcastle Academy

Roles, Responsibilities & Minutes

Our Finance and Premises Committee

Our People Committee

Our Curriculum Committe

Our Full Governing Body

Full Governing Body Minutes

Academic Year 2025/2026