The academic year 2024-2025 began well for everyone in school. Our new children in EYFS settled into the school very well and have made a good start to their learning journey. Returning pupils also settled back into the school routines, joining clubs, volunteering for roles and taking responsibility for daily duties. Staff and pupils are working hard!

I am extremely proud of our school. The SIAMS inspection of February 2023 highlighted many outstanding aspects, two of which are:

‘Pupils and adults flourish because the school community understands and lives out the distinctive Christian vision. The nurture for all pupils, especially the most vulnerable, is of a very high quality.’

‘The ambitious and broad curriculum gives pupils time to discuss and develop their understanding of disadvantage, deprivation and concern for the world around them. The vision inspires and encourages pupils to be ambitious, with many having future aspirations to work in professions that help other people or that make a positive difference to the world.’

I am confident that all our children are well-supported, nurtured and challenged. Provision for those with additional and special needs and disabilities is of a very high standard. All our staff are hard-working and passionate. They know the children well and strive to meet their learning and emotional needs through an extremely well-designed, creative curriculum and a caring ethos. The headteacher and staff are all highly visible and approachable, so if you have any worries or concerns, please speak to a member of staff. Governors visit the school regularly, meeting teachers and children and occasionally helping on school visits etc. Information about the governing board, our responsibilities and meetings are available on the school website.

The weekly newsletters keep us all informed about special events and worship themes. I know that parents receive detailed information about each class’s timetable and curriculum. Parents have regular opportunities to meet with staff, to share in events such as the Fairtrade Breakfasts/Reading mornings and to attend worship in school and in church.

I believe that all our children have a myriad of opportunities to ‘become the person God intended them to be’ at Clayton-le-Woods. We endeavour to express our Christian values every day and to work towards our vision.

Ollie Woodcock
Chair of Governors

The statutory duties of a governing body are broadly defined as:

• Agreeing school development priorities
• Monitoring and evaluating the performance of the school
• Setting school targets
• Making sure that the curriculum is balanced
• Agreeing school policies
• Agreeing an annual budget detailing planned spending and staffing
• Appointment of Head Teacher and other senior staff
• Preparing an action plan following an OFSTED inspection
• Developing extended services to meet a school’s needs as part of the wider local community

The Full Governing Body meets once each term and we also have two standing committees that also meet termly to consider different aspects of the school in detail; these are the Resources, Staffing & Buildings Committee and the Teaching, Learning & Assessment (Curriculum) Committee. We also have other committees that meet as required to consider issues such as admissions, pupil discipline and staffing matters.

More information about the composition and structure of our Governing Body as well as a full list of committees and members can be found using the menu.

All Governors can be contacted via the school office, but you will also see them around the school at various times, so please feel free to say hello and share your views.