The Governing Body of Tanfield School works with the Head Teacher to promote and maintain high standards of educational achievement. In line with the School Development Plan, the Governing Body prioritised the following key issues during the year. Our role is to provide the strategic direction of the School and to assist the Senior Team in continuing to improve the standards and quality of our provision.
The school became part of the Eden Learning Trust in May 2020. One of our governors is a member of the Trust Board.
At present, the only area of our work which has changed, is overseeing and setting the budget. We now simply monitor the planning.

Quality of Education

Quality of Teaching/Curriculum
A great deal of work has gone into developing and reviewing this structured, well planned, knowledge-rich curriculum across the school. A key area for development has been consistency in all departments in quality of curriculum planning booklets. The online learning during both periods of lockdown was excellent and was widely praised by parents.
We have challenged the Senior Team to continue to improve pupil outcomes. We have monitored the progress of students. There are clear assessment practices and expectations in place. Governor meetings including our Subject Reviews are calendared to monitor the outcomes of these assessments. Standardisation and moderation have become an important part of the process.
Impact
We have challenged curriculum leaders to further review the curriculum across the school ensuring it is challenging, fulfils the needs of all individual learners and gives students the necessary skills, understanding and opportunities to successfully progress to the next stage of their lives. An exemplar subject booklet has been looked at so governors are aware of how the curriculum is being taught. Key Stage 4 results this year were based on centre assessed grades and we are confident that the processes and procedures in place were thorough and consistent.

Behaviour and attitudes
There is a new format of whole school monitoring with accountability at all levels.
Line ups, split breaks and lunches have been introduced.
Governor monitoring of behaviour data takes place regularly.
Governors have held meetings with students/parents to address behaviour issues.
Impact
Behaviour in school is continually improving. There are very few behaviour incidents. Governors are aware of the students who present issues. Exclusion numbers have decreased significantly.

Safeguarding and Safety
This is our single most important duty. Following a review of governor responsibilities, a different governor became our Safeguarding Lead. We have reviewed all our policies and procedures in this area including the completion of thorough risk assessments and adjustments to policies with regard to the coronavirus pandemic as this has been our key priority with regard to the health and safety of students and staff.
Impact
The school has been a safe place for staff and for students to learn throughout the coronavirus period We did have a number of key worker and vulnerable students in school. Following the wider opening of schools in the summer term, attendance was above the national average.

Leadership and Management We have reviewed the roles and responsibilities of senior staff discussing and making changes where appropriate.
Throughout the last academic year, there have been changes to national guidance and policies in education, particularly throughout the spring and summer terms. Governors have ensured that the School meets all statutory requirements including the revised expectations relating to guidance throughout the coronavirus pandemic.
Impact
Further strengthening the SLT to support the implementation of the school’s vision. There is increased accountability at all levels across the school. Tanfield School meets its statutory requirements.

Premises and Resources
After becoming an academy the DFE gave the school a grant of £500,000 to replace the windows. Alongside that, other sources of finance were used to completely renovate the buildings and premises. The work is almost complete and the site is transformed.
Impact
Much improved environment for both students and staff.
Improved climate for learning

Governor monitoring
Governors are linked to particular subject areas and to specific themes (e.g. Special Educational Needs or Safeguarding). This was reviewed in the autumn term and some visits took place however unfortunately this year, most of these visits were postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Throughout the pandemic, weekly meetings were held between the Headteacher, the Chair and Vice Chair of Governors.
Monitored the take up of online learning and how vulnerable students were being supported.
Discussed all the difficulties presented to the school at this time. Looked at how students returned to school in the summer term.
Impact
We saw staff taught the normal planned curriculum in the remote environment.
We gained an awareness of which students were not engaging in online learning and the steps the school had taken to put this right.
We were able to make informed decisions re the focus of the COVID catch up grant and will monitor accordingly.