Annual Impact Statement from the Chair of Governors 2023-24
Annual Governance Statement for the Academic Year 2023/2024
As Chair of Governors, I am pleased to present this year's annual governance statement, which reflects on the key achievements of Bexton School and the role of the Governing Board in driving the school’s continued success. This has been a year marked by both significant change and noteworthy achievements, where the importance of effective governance has been critical in ensuring continuity, maintaining high standards, and supporting the strategic development of our school.
One of the most remarkable achievements for Bexton this year is that we remain in the top 2% of schools nationally for attainment. All our performance measures are well above the national average, which is a testament to the dedication of our staff, the hard work of our pupils, and the supportive role that our school community plays. The Governing Board has worked closely with the leadership team to ensure that the necessary frameworks and resources are in place to enable every child at Bexton to thrive academically and personally. Governors have continued to monitor educational outcomes, scrutinise data, and provide both challenge and support to help maintain our high standards.
This year also saw significant leadership changes. We bid a fond farewell to Mrs Sach, our Deputy Head, who left Bexton at the end of the academic year to take up a headship in Lymm. Although we are very sad to see her go, we know she will bring the same passion and commitment to her new role that she brought to Bexton for 24 years. We are delighted to have appointed Mr Marchington as her successor, who we are confident will do great work in the school. The Governing Board was closely involved in the interview and selection process for this important role, contributing to what was a thorough and robust appointment procedure involving all of the leadership team and many of the rest of the Bexton team. We wish both Mrs Sach and Mr Marchington the very best in their new roles.
In addition, we saw the departure of Mrs Butler, one of our Assistant Heads, who also secured a head teacher position. Mrs Lasham has admirably stepped up to backfill the Assistant Head role at Bexton until a permanent replacement can be appointed. During this period of significant change, the role of Governance has been crucial in providing continuity and consistency in leadership. The Governors have supported Mrs Armstrong through these transitions by offering advice and acting as a sounding board for key decisions about the future direction of the school’s leadership.
We were pleased to see full enrolment in reception for this new academic year, with several children on the waiting list. Although we regret not being able to accommodate all applicants, it is reassuring to know that Bexton remains a school of choice within the community. Governors have worked to ensure that the school remains attractive to families by helping to maintain the high standards and reputation that underpin our strong application numbers.
Our commitment to the school’s infrastructure continues, as we have made significant progress on the Multi-Purpose Building project. Although the rising cost of building materials in recent years has necessitated some revisions to the original plans, the Governors, alongside the school leadership, have been able to adjust the project in a way that remains financially viable without sacrificing key elements of the design. The Governors have drawn upon their varied professional expertise to support this initiative and we are now looking forward to breaking ground in early 2025. This collaborative effort between Governors and the school leadership team will enhance the facilities available to our pupils and community.
The school’s contribution to the wider Trust has also been commendable. Mrs Armstrong has been leading on safeguarding across the Trust, ensuring the highest standards of child protection and welfare are maintained not only at Bexton but also across the wider family of schools. Similarly, Mrs Sach, before her departure, supported other Trust schools with curriculum development. Our Governors have contributed to Trust-wide Governance through active participation in Governor conferences and the Chairs Meetings, sharing best practice and bringing insights back to Bexton to inform our Local Governance.
The strength of our Local Governing Board remains a key asset, but we are mindful of the need for ongoing succession planning. As Governors' terms of office come to an end, we remain committed to ensuring that we have the right skills and expertise on the board to continue providing effective Governance. This year, we have prioritised Governor training to ensure that all members are equipped to fulfil their roles to the best of their abilities, ensuring continued effective oversight of the school’s strategic direction.
Bexton continues to be at the heart of its local community, and we are proud to have supported a range of fundraising activities alongside our parents. Events such as Bexfest, the Christmas Lights event, Year 6 and the Tatton Singers, and the Knutsford Lights Switch On have not only raised significant funds but also provided fantastic opportunities for our pupils. Additionally, the school had the honour of hosting the costume choosing for the Royal May Day Parade. Governors have been active participants in these events, and we were delighted to learn that Friends of Bexton (FOBS) raised a phenomenal £24,502 over the academic year, £6.4k of that money went towards our fabulous Rainbow Room outdoor space and £18k is towards our fund to replace the Astro Turf. A further £8k was raised through other efforts outside of FOBS We are immensely grateful to our parents, Friends of Bexton and other fund raisers for their tireless efforts in supporting the school.
As we look ahead to the next academic year, the Governing Board remains focused on continuing to provide strategic direction, supporting our leadership team, and ensuring that Bexton remains a place where every child can achieve their full potential. The commitment of our Governors, staff, parents, and wider community has been the foundation of our successes this year, and we are confident that together, we will continue to provide an exceptional education for all our pupils.
We’re excited for what the year 2024/25 will bring and we look forward to sharing those experiences with you all.
Best wishes,
Matt Stephenson
Chair of Governors
Bexton Primary School and Nursery.