The Role of the Governing Body

In line with DfE guidance, governors focus on three core functions:

• Setting the strategic direction of the school: Governors work with the Headteacher to agree the school’s vision, ethos and strategic priorities. This includes supporting the School Development Plan and ensuring the school continues to improve.
• Holding school leaders to account for educational performance: Governors monitor pupil progress, attainment and the quality of teaching and learning. They ask questions, review data and ensure that all pupils are given the opportunity to succeed.
• Overseeing the financial performance of the school: Governors ensure that school funding is used effectively and provides good value for money. They monitor budgets and ensure resources are used to support pupils’ learning.

Pensby Primary’s Governing Body

Pensby Primary’s Governing Body plays an important role in supporting and challenging the school to ensure the very best outcomes for all pupils.

Governors work closely with the Headteacher and senior leadership team to help set the strategic direction of the school. In line with Department for Education (DfE) guidance, governors focus on the strategic leadership and accountability of the school, rather than the day-to-day management.

Our Governance Structure

Our governing body follows the Circle Model of Governance. This means that all governors work together as a single governing board rather than operating through separate committees. This model helps ensure that all governors have a full understanding of school priorities and share equal responsibility for decisions.

Meeting Minutes

Minutes from governing body meetings are available upon request. If you would like to receive copies of meeting minutes or learn more about the work of the governing body, please contact the school office schooloffice@pensbyprimaryschool.org

The governing body meets twice each term to review progress, discuss key priorities and ensure the school continues to provide the best possible education for all pupils.

Our meeting dates for the academic year 2025-26 are as follows:

• Tuesday 14th October 2025
• Tuesday 11th November 2025
• Tuesday 27th January 2025
• Thursday 26th February 2026
• Tuesday 5th May 2026
• Tuesday 23rd June 2026

 Pensby Primary School Governors

Within the governing body, governors take on specific responsibilities which are explained in the table below. To support their monitoring role, Governors visit the school during the year to gain a better understanding of the school’s work within their selected area.

GOVERNOR VACANCIES

We currently have one vacancy for a parent governor.

Governors Code of Conduct

Please find below the link to our Governors Code of Conduct which sets out the expectations on and commitment required from our school governors in order for the governing board to properly carry out its work within the school and the community. The Governors Code of Conduct for Pensby Primary School is reviewed annually:

Governors Code Of Conduct

Conflicts of Interest

Pensby Primary School is committed to the highest standard of ethical conduct and integrity in its business activities:

Our Conflict of Interests policy sets out the School’s position if situations arise where school staff and governors levels have a conflict of interest arising from outside activities or private, personal or financial interests. Please find below the Conflict of Interests Policy and our Register of Interests:

Conflict Of Interests Policy March 2026

Attendance Record for Governors’ Meetings

• Spring Term 25 26
• Autumn Term 25 26
• Summer Term 24 25
• Spring Term 24 25
• Summer Term 24 25

Governing Body Minutes

Available upon request. Please email the school office to request a copy of specific meeting minutes schooloffice@pensbyprimaryschool.org

Financial Benchmarking 

Financial benchmarking allows schools to compare how they spend their funding with similar schools across the country. This helps governing bodies and school leaders ensure that resources are being used efficiently and provide the best possible value for pupils.

The DfE benchmarking service enables schools to compare areas of spending such as staffing, premises, resources and curriculum costs with other schools of a similar size and context. By reviewing this information, schools can identify trends, evaluate how funding is allocated and consider whether changes could improve efficiency or support better outcomes for pupils.

Governors use financial benchmarking as part of their role in overseeing the financial performance of the school. It supports them in asking informed questions about spending decisions and helps ensure that public funds are used responsibly and effectively.

Benchmarking does not mean that schools should spend exactly the same as others. Instead, it helps schools understand how their spending compares and whether their financial decisions are aligned with the needs and priorities of their pupils.

https://financial-benchmarking-and-insights-tool.education.gov.uk/