About our Governing Body
King Solomon High School is a voluntary aided comprehensive school whose Foundation Body (the United Synagogue) appoints the majority of the governors and determines the ethos of the school. As a modern orthodox Jewish school, we are able to use faith criteria in prioritising pupils for admission (subject to the National Admission’s code). However, we welcome students from all other faiths.
As a Voluntary Aided school, we remain largely (but not exclusively) state-funded and follow the national curriculum. We have developed our curriculum to provide high quality education within a learning environment based on distinct British and Jewish values.
Our Governing Body is made up of 16 governors under 5 categories as follows:
1 Staff Governors– elected by the school’s staff
1 Headteacher – automatic member (ex-officio)
9 Foundation Governors – appointed by the United Synagogue
1 Local Authority Governor – appointed by the governing body, in association with Redbridge Council
2 Parent Governors – elected by parents of children who attend the school
2 Co-opted Governor – co-opted by the governing body to fulfil a specific role or purpose.
Please see the ‘Meet our Governors’ document for more information about our Governors.
Vacancies
We currently have 4 foundation governor vacancies and 1 parent governor vacancy. These are in the process of being appointed to.
Core roles of the Governing Body
Our governors provide strategic leadership and accountability with a collective responsibility to:
- set the strategic direction, vision and ethos of the school;
- monitor and challenge the progress of the school in achieving its priorities;
- recruit and performance manage the headteacher;
- exercise employer responsibility for all staff;
- ensure the school meets its statutory responsibilities;
- ensure financial probity;
- ensure the premises are well managed; and
- report to the school’s stakeholders.
Name and address of the Chair of the Governing Body
Mr Brian Westbury
Chair of Governors
King Solomon High School
Forest Road
Ilford
IG6 3HB
Name and address of the Governance Professional
Ms Frankie Chissim
Governance Professional and Clerk
King Solomon High School
Forest Road
Ilford
IG6 3HB
Meetings and structure
Governors recently decided to reduce the number of committees and increase the number of full governing body meetings to allow a greater focus on strategic priorities and to increase efficiency and impact. The whole Governing Body meets every half term. Extra-ordinary meetings are convened when required. School improvement is discussed at every meeting. There is a detailed work plan in place for 2023/24.
Governors have developed a 3-year Strategic Plan for the school and this helps governors ensure:
- the school’s operational plans align with the strategy
- performance management is linked to strategic priorities
- budget setting and staffing structure is aligned to strategic priorities
Governing Body agendas (focus of meetings) and governor visits to align with strategic priorities.
The Resources Committee meets on a termly basis or more often if required. The Pay Committee meets annually or as required. The governing body has a number of statutory committees as follows:
- Pupil Discipline Committee
- Complaints Review Committee.
- Committees to discuss staffing issues (e.g. disciplinary, capability, Grievance, flexible working requests)
- Appeals Committee
All non-staff governors are appointed to serve on the above committees and are selected on the basis of suitability (no conflict of interest) and availability.
Each Committee has a terms of reference which determines its remit and delegated power.
Monitoring
As well as attending meetings, all governors are required to conduct monitoring on a termly basis. Each governor has been assigned a specific role which enables the governing body to carry out its core functions. Please see the ‘meet our governors’ document for information about link governor responsibilities.
Training
All governors are required to attend training sessions so they are well informed about the school and about their roles as governors.
Checks
All governors are appointed in line with safeguarding requirements and suitability cheques. All governors must declare any pecuniary or business interests. Please see the ‘meet our governors’ document for information about this.
Attendance
Information about Governors’ attendance at meetings over the past 12 months is currently being updated.