Stepgates Community School 2023 - 24

Dear Parents, Staff, and Community Members,

I am delighted to share the Chair of Governors' Annual Report for Stepgates Community School for the academic year 2023-24. This report highlights the wonderful activities, thoughtful decisions, and impressive progress we have made together as a community to enrich the educational experience for all our children.

Governance and Attendance

Our Full Governing Board (FGB) meetings have seen fantastic participation and enthusiasm from our members. Two notable changes were the resignation of Miss Carr, effective from 1st November 2023 and Mrs Issac, effective from 16th July 2024. Both have been instrumental whilst part of the board, Miss Carr partially with her focus on reading & Mrs Issac’s passion for SEND and inclusion. While we will miss both personally on the board and their contributions to the school, we are excited about the future and are currently seeking two co-opted governors to join us. We are looking for individuals with skills that will continue to strengthen our governance.

Committee Reports

This year the Governing body elected to a new meeting structure, The move to a committee structure will enable the governing board to go a level deeper, gaining a real understanding on how to support the school better from a strategic outlook.

Children & Learning Committee

Chaired by myself, the Children & Learning Committee has been diligently reviewing the performance data for Key Stages 1 and 2. While KS1 data stays close to the national average, our KS2 pupils have shown remarkable progress, even though there are some areas for improvement. Attendance is still a focus, and we are working hard to address persistent absenteeism. The committee is also devoted to supporting children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) ensuring they receive the necessary support.

Resources Committee

Led by Mr Thompson, the Resources Committee has done an excellent job reviewing and monitoring the financial balance of the school whilst also developing a comprehensive Risk Register to identify areas of concern and improvement within the school. The Risk Register is a tool that as recently we rolled out so all governors and SLT can prevent and areas of risk to

school. We have had thorough Health and Safety inspections, and the end of term fire drill went smoothly.

School Development Plan (SDP)

The School Development Plan has been a major focus this year, with staff making significant strides towards our goals. Our supportive and inclusive culture has been recognized externally, affirming our dedication to creating a nurturing learning environment. We constantly monitor and adjust to ensure we're on track with our strategic objectives.

Governor Visits and Training

Governor visits have offered valuable insights into how our policies and strategies are being implemented. The feedback from these visits has been instrumental in shaping our future plans and ensuring we meet the needs of all our students. Additionally, we have prioritized ongoing training for governors, with several members attending essential sessions on governance.

SEND and Safeguarding

The safety and well-being of our students is our top priorities. We continue to support children with SEND, striving to secure adequate resources and interventions. Safeguarding is a collective responsibility, and we have ensured all governors are up to date with the necessary training.

Extracurricular Activities and Community Involvement

Our extracurricular activities have thrived, providing our pupils with a rich and varied educational experience. Community involvement is still a cornerstone of our approach, fostering strong relationships with parents and local organizations.

Conclusion

The academic year 2023-24 has been one of growth, challenges, and significant achievements for Stepgates Community School. The dedication and hard work of our staff, governors, and community have been crucial in driving our successes. As we look ahead, we remain committed to fostering an inclusive, high-achieving, and supportive environment for all our children.

Thank you to everyone for making this year a true success. I look forward to our continued journey together.

On behalf of the Stepgates governors, I would like to take this opportunity to thank Mrs Ford and all the staff at Stepgates for their hard work and outstanding commitment over the school year.

Lastly, I would like to thank all the parents and carers for all your continued support, and I look forward to seeing you all after the summer.

 

Michael Pope

Chair of Governors

August 2024