Governance

A Letter from the Chair

I joined the Noadswood Governing Body in 2009.  My daughter was in Year 9 and I was interested in her education and in the school that both I and my brother attended.  I happened to have a discussion with a friend (who was an existing governor) regarding Noadswood School and they suggested that I applied to be a Governor. I have worked on the Governing body supporting the school over the years to convert to Academy status, an Ofsted inspection and was involved in the recruitment of our current headteacher.  As chair of school improvement committee I have reviewed progress and results of students and take a keen strategic interest in the outcomes of students at Noadswood.  And 13 years later I am still interested in education and Noadswood.

I have worked in central government since I was 18; during this time I have been involved with reducing worklessness by supporting people back into employment.  I currently lead a team of 12 staff.  My “day” job has given me a keen understanding and interest in how a good education is so important to young people and their life chances.

Our Chair of Governors, Alison Munden, can be contacted c/o Berni Wyse, Headteacher's PA via info@noadswood.hants.sch.uk


Ofsted 2022

 

To the Staff and Pupils of Noadswood School

On behalf of the Members and Trustees of Noadswood School I would like to offer my appreciation and thanks to you all for the hard work that went into making the recent Ofsted Inspection the success that it was.

I was proud to read the report and to see Noadswood receive the Good grading that is so well deserved.  I especially noted the comments recognising the work that has been carried out by all to ensure that Noadswood is a safe place to work and study in.  

It was very pleasing to see the comments made by the Inspectors, particularly in relation to the positive effect that changes to the curriculum have made to progress and results and especially to those departments who faced specific difficulties.  I believe that we are now in a position to rise to the challenges that the Inspectors have set.

I have been a trustee of Noadswood school for over a decade and I am always impressed with and proud of the way that leaders, staff and pupils work together to achieve the best that we can.  Our work is never done but I have optimism for continuing and increasing success.

Well done to you all.

And thank you from,

Alison Munden

Chair of Trustees

Noadswood School


The School is set up as a Charitable Company, which was incorporated on 5 July 2011, and converted to Academy status on 1 August 2011.  The Chairs of the three main committees are the Members of the Charitable Company.

The Charitable Company was incorporated on 5 July 2011, and conversion to Academy status was made on 1 August 2011.


Constitution

Noadswood School is a company limited by guarantee and an exempt charity. The Charitable Company’s memorandum and articles of association are the primary governing documents of the Academy.

The Governors act as the trustees for the charitable activities of Noadswood School and are also the directors of the Charitable Company for the purposes of company law. The Charitable Company is known as Noadswood School (Company Number 07693860).


Principle

The Academy Trust’s principle activity, as set out and defined in its Articles of Association and Funding Agreement is to provide a quality, free education for young people aged between 11 and 16 in the Hythe and Dibden and surrounding areas and additionally to make the school’s facilities available to provide such recreational and leisure activities for the general population of the area as are deemed appropriate and reasonable.

Articles of Association

Funding Agreement

Memorandum of Association - Special Resolutions

Statement - Union Facilities

Statement - Salary 2022-2023

Terms of Reference and Scheme of Delegation

Financial Statement 2022-2023

Audit Representation Letter 2022-2023

Financial Statement 2021-2022

Financial Statement 2020-2021


Organisational Structure

The Governing Body of Noadswood School are responsible for the strategic management of the School; deciding and setting key aspects of the School, including strategic direction, annual budgets, senior staff appointments, policy changes etc. Operational management (the day to day running of the School) is devolved to the Headteacher and Staff. Their activities and decisions are monitored through a small number of Governor Committees into which reports are fed by the Senior Leadership team.

The full Governing Body meets at least five times per school year spread more or less evenly across the school terms. The current Chair is Alison Munden (governance information, including members can be found on the Gov.uk site)

DfE

Supporting the Full Governing Body are four committees:

These committees meet, typically, twice per term to consider reports from the Senior Leadership Team and the Headteacher.

 

  • Chair of Trustees – Alison Munden 
  • Chair of General Purposes Committee – Helen Sanderson
  • Chair of Headteacher Performance Management - Sarah Balson
  • Chair of Pay and Personnel Committee – Alison Munden 
  • Chair of School Improvement Committee – Sarah Balson
  • Chair of Finance, Audit and Risk Committee – TBC ​

The register of interests can be found on our specific page (click here)


Trustees Appointments

NameDate of appointmentDate term of office endsDate stepped down
Annie Hodge09/11/202208/11/2026 
Helen Sanderson31/03/202130/03/2025 
Sarah Balson27/09/202026/09/2024 
Alison Munden (Chair)12/10/202311/10/2024 
Kathryn Marshall01/09/2016  
Janet Church07/12/2023  
Kyle Hall07/12/2023  

Member Appointments

NameDate of appointmentDate term of office ends/endedDate stepped down
Craig Davey30/03/202130/03/2025 
Jackie Rapson30/03/202130/03/2025 
Kevin O'Brien30/03/202130/03/2025 

Historic Trustee Appointments

NameDate of appointmentDate term of office endsDate stepped down
Tim Sunderland04/05/2020 25/11/2022
Neil Cotton26/11/2018 25/11/2022
Gary O'Flaherty04/05/2020 31/12/2022
Neil Wright30/03/2021 27/03/2023
Leoni Stote06/10/2022 15/05/2023

Scheme of Delegation

You'll find our scheme of delegation for 2022/2023 via the link (click here)


Policies and Procedures

School policies are developed by senior members of the School’s staff, to reflect both the strategic direction agreed by the Governors and also statutory requirements.  These policies are approved and adopted by the Governing Body, and implemented as procedures and systems by the SLT and other designated members of staff.  You have the right to request a copy of any of these if you so wish, to do so either contact the school, or by visiting our policies page.


Governor Meeting Attendance

The attendance statistics can be found here (click here) and the confirmation of checks for our governors here (click here)

Attendance

Statement Union Facilities

Trade Union Facilities Statement - click here to view the document.


Interested in becoming a Noadswood Trustee?

Being a Trustee is a challenging, yet hugely rewarding role in which you will make a real contribution to student’s education, opportunities and futures.

We are always looking for a balance of diversity, knowledge and skills in order to make our Trust Board effective. It has been repeatedly noted by Ofsted that the best schools have the most effective Governance. School Trustees and Governors are the largest volunteer workforce in the country, with over a quarter of a million volunteers.

Anyone aged 18 or over can be a Trustee (but there are some exceptions) and you do not need to be a parent. There is no requirement for you to have an understanding of the education system, just the necessary skills, character and time to contribute. Schools need and benefit from a range of professional knowledge on their governing board including education, finance, human resources, legal, marketing and public relations, property and estates management, and organisational change.

We welcome anyone interested in either becoming a Trustee to contact us: info@noadswood.hants.sch.uk or contact the Noadswood office staff who will be able to help you.


Being a Trustee.... What does it mean?

The Trustee board provides strategic leadership, and accountability in schools. Trustees set the aims and objectives for a school and in turn the policies and targets for achieving those aims and objectives. We closely monitor and evaluate the progress the school is making and provide challenge and support to the Headteacher.

Trustees at Noadswood meet for a full Governing Body board meeting at least once per term, and sub committees usually once every half term. Some specific Link Trustee roles are assigned to individual Trustees or smaller teams, in order for us to meet with and work with the school Leaders and staff.

Would you enjoy the role of Trustee ? You probably would if you:-

  • Enjoy engaging with pupils, staff and the school community
  • Want to support first hand the excellence of our staff and what they do.
  • Have the inclination to contribute some time and your experience to help the school provide the best it can in the education of our young people.
  • Enjoy working in teams and adding your influence.
  • Want to develop and utilise your skills in a board environment

What will be expected of me?

Most Trustees commit around 8 hours per month, although it will vary depending on the needs of the school and any specific responsibilities. Trustees are required to attend Full board meetings, some committee meetings and visit school from time to time. Full induction and training will be provided to all new Trustees upon appointment.

We are members of the National Governance Association and detailed information on becoming a school Trustee can also be found on the NGA website (click link)

NGA