Welcome from the Chair of Governors & St Michael’s Infant School
Newdigate Infant and Pre-School and St Michael’s Infant School work in partnership as the Mole Valley Gateway Federation and we have one joint governing body. As governors we provide strategic leadership and accountability for the schools and the Federation as a whole.
The governing body is a dedicated and committed group of people made up of representatives drawn from the community, diocese, parents, staff and the local authority nomination. We all volunteer our time and expertise to ensure that the schools make continuous improvements to the education and wellbeing of the children, We all take an active interest in school life and some of us are parents of current or former pupils at the schools.
Full governor meetings are held four times each year and there are two governor sub-committees which meet termly and report to the full board.
Finance and Resources: looks at buildings, school budgets, staffing resources, health and safety.
Learning and Teaching: focuses on the children’s progress and attainment in learning (including those with special educational needs), monitoring both the quality and teaching of the curriculum.
Governors have a monitoring role so we visit the schools and may talk to different members of staff, visit classrooms, talk to children and look at their work. We may also attend school events such as assemblies and fund raising
We appoint the Federation headteacher and are involved in the appointment of other members of staff. As Governors we hold the main responsibility for finance, and together with the headteacher we make the tough decisions about balancing resources, but our overriding responsibility is to make sure that all the children that come to Newdigate and St Michael’s schools receive the best possible start in life, are enjoying learning and progressing well. As small, family friendly, infant schools we can focus on the needs of each individual child.
As a Federation of Church of England schools our ethos is based on Christian teachings and we welcome families of all faiths and none. We have strong links with the local churches and communities. We are actively involved in collaborating with and supporting other schools in our community through the Dorking Schools Partnership and the Diocese.
We look forward to welcoming you and your children to our wonderful schools
