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The Governing Body has agreed to opt out of collecting and publishing diversity data for the Governing Body. A further review will be carried out in the Autumn Term 2024.

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There are four Committees that meet on an adhoc basis linked to discipline and appeals for both pupils and staff. At The Federation of RICCHER Nursery Schools, these Committees have never met but form part of the governance structure.

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Governance Committees and Meetings - Head Teacher Appraisal Panel

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Governance Committees and Meetings - Head Teacher Appraisal Panel

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The Headteacher's Appraisal Panel meets once per academic year, in the autumn term, to set objectives for the Headteacher, appraise the performance of the Headteacher and assess their performance in the role against the Headteacher Standards and their performance objectives. The Chair of the Headteacher's Appraisal Panel is Nicholas Nel

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Headteacher's Appraisal Panel Terms of Reference 2024-2025

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Governance Committees and Meetings -Pay and Committee Terms of Reference

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Governance Committees and Meetings -Pay and Committee Terms of Reference

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The Pay Committee meets once per academic year, in the autumn term, to assist in setting the school's pay policy, determine staff remuneration and review the targets for performance related pay. The Chair of the Pay Committee is Nina Biscoe.

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Governance Committees and Meetings - Resources and Finance

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Governance Committees and Meetings - Resources and Finance

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The Resources and Finance Committee meets three times per academic year. The core functions are to oversee and monitor compliance with statutory obligations under School Governance, DfE, Luton Borough Council and Data Protection. This includes the financial performance (value for money) of the school, human resources issues (efficient, effective employment/deployment), premises, health and safety and, general organisation and administration of the school including GDPR, data protection and freedom of information. The Resources and Finance Committee is granted delegated authority to authorise in-year amendments /revisions to the school budget plan, virements between budgetary headings, purchases and contracts in line with the scheme of delegation. The Chair of the Resources and Finance Committee is Nicholas Nel.

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RICCHER - Governance Meeting Schedule 2025 - 2026 agreed HT and Chair

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You can view The Federation of RICCHER Nursery Schools financial data and see how it compares with other schools. Please click on the link below.

Link to Schools Financial Benchmarking website (Pastures Way Nursery)

Link to Schools Financial Benchmarking website (Gill Blowers Nursery)

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The Governing Body currently has one Parent Governor vacancy. If you would like to obtain further information on how you can support the school by joining the Governing Body, please contact the Governance Professional, Michelle Francis-Joseph at clerk@gillblowers.nurseryluton.com

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If you would like to contact a member of our Governing Body, please do so by sending your written correspondence to: Chair of Governing Body, Nicholas Nel , The Federation of RICCHER Nursery Schools:  Mossdale Court, Teesdale, Luton LU4 9JL

Alternatively, you may wish to email:

Nina Biscoe, Chair of Governing Body orMichelle Francis-Joseph, Governance Professional at clerk@gillblowers.nurseryluton.com

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Governance Register of Pecuniary Interests

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Governance Register of Pecuniary Interests

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Governors are forbidden from being involved in decision making relating to the purchases by the school of goods and services from themselves, their relatives or any organisation in which they or those close to them have significant interest. The Governance Clerk is required to maintain a register of such interests.

A Declaration of Interests Form is completed annually by all Governors to declare such interests. If interests change, a new form is completed.

At every governance meeting, Governors declare as to whether they have any pecuniary interests related to the agenda items listed for the governance meeting.

The Register of Pecuniary Interests was ratified by the Governing Body on 30th November 2023 . The Register is reviewed at every meeting.

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Declarations of Pecuniry Interests Summary 2023 - 2024 (FGB 30.11.2023)

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The Governing Body keeps track of all governors who attend or are absent from Governance meetings. It is important for the development of the Governing Body that governor absence from meetings is kept to a minimum.

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The Governing Body must agree the Terms of Reference for the Governing Body and its Committees annually. The Terms of Reference outlines the tasks and decision-making powers assigned to a Committee. The Full Governing Body ratified the documents at the meeting during the autumn term.

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Full Governing Body Terms of Reference (inc. Curriculum) 2025-2026

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Governance Committees and Meetings -Curriculum & Standards 

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Governance Committees and Meetings -Curriculum & Standards 

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The Governing Body meets at least six times per an academic year to consider the strategic aspects impacting the school and the pupils.

The Curriculum and Standards Committee meets three times per academic year.  The core functions are to oversee the educational performance of the school, including matters relating to pupil progress and achievement, the quality of teaching and learning, teaching staff further development, and the development and delivery of the school curriculum offer. The Chair of the Curriculum and Standards Committee is Sarah Gilbert.

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Curriculum and Standards Committee Terms of Reference 2023 - 2024

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The Instrument of Government outlines the constitution of the Governing Body. The Local Authority considers whether it complies with the relevant legal requirements.

The Instrument of Government for The Federation of RICCHER Nursery Schools Governing Body was ratified by the Local Authority and last reviewed by the Governing Body on 17th May 2022.

The Governing Body reviews the document annually to ensure the constitution of the Governing Body remains relevant and meets the needs of the school's governance.

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Instrument of government federated governing bodies The Riccher Federation of Nursery Schools (01.05.2022)

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Our focus is very much the future of the school for the benefit of the pupils. The Governing Body membership is currently 10 Governors and we aim for our governance membership to grow to 13 Governors.

Nicholas Nel is our elected Chair of Governing Body and he brings a wealth of governance and Educational experience to our Governing Body. If you would like to contact our Chair, please email admin@gillblowers.nurseryluton.com

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Through the Headteacher and Staff, we are kept informed of all aspects of school life. Each Governor is linked to a subject and/or school development area. We have meetings with staff to discuss how the National Curriculum is being followed and adapted to meet the needs of our pupils. We meet with the Senior Leadership Team to discuss areas of school development for the future. Link Governors provide feedback from these meetings at the Governing Body meetings.

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The Governing Body will monitor in detail areas such as Finance, Personnel, Premises (which includes Health & Safety) and the Curriculum. We also ensure that legally required policies and documents are held and are available for Staff, Pupils, Governors, Parents and Carers and any visitors to school when and where relevant.

We receive a report from the Headteacher once a term which keeps us up to date with pupil’s academic achievements, staffing, attendance, special projects, school life in general and other legally required reports.  We support and challenge the Headteacher and make crucial decisions about the school in our Governing Body meetings.

The Department of Education requires the Governing Body to have a number of statutory policies in place at the school.  The Governing Body regularly ensures that all relevant school policies are kept up to date and in line with the latest local and national guidance.

A list of all DFE statutory school policies can be found at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/statutory-policies-for-schools-and-academy-trusts/statutory-policies-for-schools-and-academy-trusts

We also ensure that we are aware of what is taking place within the ever changing world of Education and Governance. We do this by attending courses held by the Local Authority and other educational organisations, and by being affiliated to the National Governors Association, including The Key for School Leaders and The Key for School Governors.

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The role of Governor is carried out on a voluntary basis. As a Governor, you can:

·       Gain experience in strategic and financial planning.

·       Learn to set aims and objectives to reach your goals.

·       Work within a team and learn how to debate and challenge in a supportive way

·       Discover more about the UK education system.

You don't need to be an experienced professional - it's about attitude as well as expertise. The Governing Body needs skilled people to help them run effectively, but hard and soft skills are needed around the table, such as, problem solving or negotiation as much as specific expertise.

If you would like to join our Governing Body, please contact Nicholas Nel, Chair of Governing Body via either school.

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As Governors, a critical part of our role is to ensure we develop and maintain strong links with parents, staff and pupils. To support this, we can often be found in and around school, attending meetings and experiencing the many different activities that take place in school. We also try to attend as many school functions as we are able.

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RICHHER FGB Governor Role Description (FGB 07.07.2022)

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I am the Deputy Head Teacher at Hart Hill Nursery School. I am a qualified teacher, I have completed a diploma in Leadership and Management and I am a qualified SENDCO. I am passionate about child development and ensuring children have the best possible start to their education. I am very proud to be on the Governing Body of the RICCHER Federation. I hope to make a valuable contribution by sharing my skills and knowledge, offering challenge to support the school to move forward and recognising the strengths the school has and celebrating these.

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I am so excited to be on the Governing Body for the RICCHER Federation. I currently work for the Local Authority in Education as the Education Provision and Planning Manager. Prior to that I was a headteacher at a college in Eastbourne, having also taught Sociology, Health and Social Care and Psychology among other subjects. I am looking forward to being able to share my skills and knowledge with the Federation as well as learn from the amazing staff, pupils, parents and other Governors at the Nurseries.

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Aleksandra Vanchevska

I am excited to be a Parent Governor at Gill Blowers Nursery School. I am quite new to the British education system and am really looking forward to learning more about how it works and to contribute from my own experiences. I have a finance background.

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Teresa Moss - Vice Chair (Finance)

I am pleased to be a governor at The RICCHER Federation of Nursery Schools.  My background is in administration and I have worked in Early Years as a School Business Manager for over 20 years.  I am happy that I am able to share my knowledge and experience to benefit the children and staff at The Federation of RICCHER Nursery Schools.

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I am currently the Head Teacher of Chapel Street Nursery School in Luton having joined in 2009 as a newly qualified class teacher. I am delighted to be joining the governing body at Gill Blowers to continue to strengthen the link between the nursery schools in Luton and to share my knowledge and understanding of child development and teaching and learning. I have a passion for education in the early years including for those children with special educational needs.

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Jo Iddenden- Executive Head Teacher, Senco

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I am the Executive Head Teacher of the RICCHER Federation of Nursery Schools and have worked at Gill Blowers Nursery School for over 15 years

My background and passion is working in Early Years and Special Educational Needs. I have served on the Governing Body for several years.

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The RICCHER Federation of Nursery Schools has a very active governing body which meet regularly.

The governing body is central to ensuring that policies and future plans are put into practice and that the school is held to account.  The governors are committed to ensuring that all pupils meet their potential and they focus on raising attainment across the whole school. When a vacancy occurs for a parent governor, all parents are given the opportunity to stand for election.

We encourage ethnic minority representation on the governing body. A parent can remain a parent governor for their full term and many stay on to become co-opted governors.

The Governing Body works with the senior leaders in the strategic development of the Federation.  They support the Headteacher and staff as well as offering constructive challenge ensuring that The Federation of RICCHER Nursery Schools achieves the very best it can for all pupils.

The core functions of the Governing Body include, but are not limited to ensuring:

That the vision, ethos and strategic direction of the school are clearly defined.

That the headteacher performs their responsibilities for the educational performance of the school.

The sound, proper and effective use of the school’s financial resources.

In addition, the Governing Body ensures the voices of stakeholders are heard.

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Launa Corin- Deputy Head, Staff Governor

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I am the Deputy Head Teacher at The RICCHER Federation of Nursery Schools.  I am a qualified teacher and have a First Class Honours Degree in Early Years Education.

I am very proud to be part of such a vibrant and happy Federation where the children are always put first. I became a staff governor to become more involved in the life of the school and to represent my colleagues. I feel very lucky to be part of a dedicated and hardworking team who constantly strive for excellence and the best possible outcomes for our children.