Welcome to our Governors section. 

Message from our Chair of Governors - Mrs J. Handley

I have been an active parent governor supporting the vision of Oakham for some time, during which time I have held many positions from Parent Governor, Vice Chair of Governors, Chair of the Staffing and Finance Committee, English Curriculum Governor and most recently the Chair of Governors.

I feel privileged to be Oakham’s Chair of Governors. I believe that I bring two strong elements to this role. One is that I work within education so understand the importance of the curriculum and meeting our learner’s needs, but secondly and most importantly, because I am also a parent.

I see my role as both supportive, as well as challenging, by supporting the school in making the right decision for our learners.

So, what do Governors at Oakham do?

The Governing Body has three core functions: 

* Ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction;

* Holding leaders to account for the educational performance of the organisation and its pupils, and the effective and efficient performance management of staff; an

* Overseeing the financial performance of the organisation and making sure its money is well spent.         

The governing body has established two committees and statutory panels.  We meet as a Full Governing Body every term. The committees also meet together every term to review and discuss the details of school life.

These committees cover:

* Curriculum and Standards

* Resources - including Finance, Staffing and Health and Safety

The statutory panels only meet when they are needed and these are:

* Headteacher Performance Management

* Pay Review 

* Complaints

* Staffing

* Pupils

As Governors we also share a common objective which is the wider school community. To achieve this, and to carry out our role as Governors effectively, we need to know what issues are important to you so we remain responsive. That is why as Governors we work closely with the school to ensure that we continue to deliver a high standard of education to our children.

I think that the most important thing to note is that Governors are a team, not a collection of individuals or groups with separate agenda’s. However much we may differ in our opinions and experiences, we are united by our commitment to the school and the responsibility we share for the school’s long term success. I am extremely proud of our Oakham governors and their commitment to our school. 

In terms of expectations for our school following COVID-19, there has been a change of emphasis, but not direction. Safeguarding our children remains the number one priority. There will inevitably be some catching-up to do this year, but we will see that as an opportunity and remind ourselves that the best time to judge performance is when we’re challenged.

I am more than happy to listen to your voice on whole-school issues in general and in particular any positives you want to share with me. Community input is instrumental if we are to continue with the successes Oakham has achieved in the past.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your continued support during these strange and challenging times. I am very proud of our school and its pupils.

Mrs J C Handley

Chair of Governors

Governor Visits

Our governors regularly visit the school to meet with members of the SLT, Subject Leads and most importantly, our Oakham Learners!

Every governor visit is recorded on one of our 'Governor Visit' report forms and the key information is cascaded back to the other school governors in our Resources, Curriculum and Full Governing Body meetings, held across the school year.