Annual Governance Statement for the Management Committee of
The Woodlands
September 2024
At The Woodlands, the Management Committee is dedicated to providing strong and effective governance that supports The Woodlands mission to deliver a safe, supportive, and nurturing environment for pupils facing significant educational challenges. These challenges include permanent exclusion, the risk of exclusion, and health-related barriers to attending mainstream school. Our role is to ensure that the leadership team implements high-quality, tailored interventions that meet the academic, social, emotional, and behavioural needs of every pupil.
Vision and Strategic Direction
The committee is fully aligned with The Woodlands’ vision: to deliver a tiered programme of targeted interventions and support, enabling pupils to succeed in their first-choice mainstream setting or the most appropriate educational provision. We believe that every pupil deserves the opportunity to achieve their full potential, and the committee ensures that strategic goals focus on overcoming the obstacles pupils face on their path to success.
Tailored Support and Inclusive Curriculum
Our governance framework ensures that The Woodlands continues to provide a structured and compassionate approach. This strategy is focused on building resilience, fostering self-esteem, and encouraging a love of learning. The committee oversees the development and implementation of a flexible and inclusive curriculum, ensuring that every pupil receives the personalised academic and social support they need to thrive.
Leadership Accountability
We hold the Executive Headteacher and Senior Leadership Team accountable for The Woodlands’ performance. The committee ensures that leadership decisions are strategically aligned with the Woodlands’ goals. This includes regularly reviewing pupil progress, behaviour management, attendance data, and the effectiveness of teaching and learning. Safeguarding is at the core of our governance, and we monitor The Woodlands compliance with safeguarding policies and procedures to ensure pupil welfare is protected.
Monitoring the Three-Tiered Support Model
The Management Committee takes pride in overseeing The Woodlands’ three-tiered support model, which is designed to address the diverse needs of pupils at different stages of need:
Tier 1: Targeted Support – We monitor early intervention programmes aimed at pupils at risk of exclusion or unable to attend school due to health needs. The committee ensures that proactive measures are in place to keep pupils engaged in mainstream education while equipping them with essential skills.
Tier 2: Time-Limited Placements – The committee reviews the effectiveness of short-term, focused interventions designed to prepare pupils for reintegration into mainstream schools. We ensure that the interventions are tailored to meet each pupil’s individual needs.
Tier 3: Transitional Placement – For pupils who have been excluded or are unable to attend school due to health conditions, we provide long-term support to prepare them for a successful transition to new educational settings or post-16 destinations.
Financial Oversight
The committee ensures that The Woodlands’ financial resources are managed effectively to support its strategic priorities. We work closely with the leadership team to monitor the annual budget, ensuring value for money in all expenditures. Additionally, we oversee the use of additional funding, such as Pupil Premium, to ensure it addresses the needs of pupils and supports their achievement.
Committee Composition and Expertise
The committee is comprised of individuals with a range of expertise in education, finance, safeguarding, and special educational needs, ensuring well-rounded governance. The diversity of skills and perspectives within the committee enables us to effectively challenge and support the leadership team, driving improvement across all aspects of The Woodlands.
Training and Development for Members
We are committed to continuous development for all committee members. Each member participates in regular training on safeguarding, financial management, and educational standards, ensuring we stay up-to-date with best practices in governance. This commitment strengthens our capacity to provide effective oversight and maintain high standards.
Diversity and Inclusion
The Management Committee is committed to promoting diversity and inclusion across all areas of The Woodlands’ operations. We aim to reflect the diverse backgrounds and needs of the pupils, families, and staff, ensuring that our governance decisions are equitable and inclusive.
Risk Management
The committee actively reviews and manages risks to ensure that The Woodlands remains safe, stable, and sustainable. This includes safeguarding, financial risk, and operational challenges.
Succession Planning
We understand the importance of leadership continuity, especially within The Woodlands’ context. The committee plays an active role in succession planning, ensuring that leadership remains strong, sustainable, and capable of driving ongoing improvement. This includes identifying and nurturing potential future leaders within The Woodlands.
Accountability to Stakeholders
As a Management Committee, we are accountable to the wider community, including pupils, parents, staff, the Local Authority, and other key stakeholders. We ensure that feedback from pupils, parents, and staff informs our strategic direction, ensuring The Woodlands remains responsive to the needs of the entire school community. The committee also maintains strong partnerships with external agencies, supporting the holistic development of each pupil.
Conclusion
The Management Committee is committed to the continued success of The Woodlands, ensuring that every pupil receives the personalised support and guidance they need to overcome the challenges they face. Through robust governance, effective oversight, and a focus on continuous improvement, we are helping to shape confident, resilient, and well-rounded individuals, ready for their next steps in education and beyond.
How to contact The Management Committee
The Management Committee welcomes suggestions, feedback and ideas from parents and carers. Please contact the Chair of the Management Committee, Mrs. S Green, via the school office.
The full Management Committee meets once each term and has a number of committees to consider different aspects of the school in detail.
The following committees meet either termly or annually:
- Finance, Premises and Personnel Committee
- Curriculum and Standards Committee
- First / Pay Review Committee
- Appeals Committee
- Headteacher’s Performance Review Committee
Management Committees work closely with headteachers, school staff and representatives from the local authority (LA). Information on who our committee members are can be seen in the table below:
| Name | Role | Appointing Body | Service Start Day | Current Service Term | Register of Declaration / Register of governance / External Committee Roles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mrs J Cruise | Co-opted member | Management Committee | 02/03/2021 | 05/03/2021 – 04/03/2025 | |
| Mrs L Candler | Ex-officio | 18/03/2019 | |||
| Mrs S Green | Co-opted member Chair of Management Comitttee | Management Committee | 06/09/2021 | 06/09/2021 – 04/03/2025 | Royal Grammar School Board of Governors Jigsaw Learning Trust Board of Directors Northumberland Cricket Board of Directors |
| Mr C Horn | Co-opted LA | Management Committee | 05/09/2022 | 05/09/2022 – 04/09/2026 | |
| Mr J Iancu | Elected Staff Member | Management Committee | 26/01/2022 | 26/01/2022 – 25/01/2026 | Pastoral & Safeguarding Manager – The Woodlands Director Crazy Golf Hire Company |
| Mrs C Lee | Co-opted LA | Management Committee | 21/03/2022 | 21/03/2022 – 20/03/2026 | |
| Mrs A Lupton | Co-opted | Management Committee | 23/05/2023 | 23/05/2023 – 22/05/2024 | Headteacher Crook Primary Peases West Primary Governor |
| Mrs L Priestley | Elected Parent Member | Management Committee | 09/12/2022 | 09/12/2022 – 8/12/2026 | |
| Mrs M Stubbs | Co-opted LA | Management Committee | 02/05/2022 | 02/05/2022 – 04/09/2026 | |
| Mr D Wall | Co-opted LA | Management Committee | 05/03/2017 | 08/03/2021 – 07/03/2025 | |
| Ms R Dawber | Co-opted | Management Committee | 06/03/2024 | 06/03/2024 – 05/03/2028 |
For any more information regarding our committee members please email Kath Allison: Kath.Allison@durham.gov.uk