Our Governors
Welcome to Forest Bridge School by Co – Chair of Governors
On behalf of the governing body, we would like to welcome you to Forest Bridge and briefly introduce you to the work the governors do to ensure all pupils receive an education unique to their needs.
As a specialist free school for children and young adults with a primary diagnosis of autism our vision is very simple – to combine applied behaviour analysis with evidence-based therapy and a personalised curriculum to enable our pupils to fulfil their potential, prepare for adulthood and lead happy lives.
The role of the Board of Governors is to work with school leaders to set the vision and strategic objectives of the school and to ensure that pupils are safe and happy to be here and developing, both socially and educationally, to the best of their ability.
Our task is to govern the school through the implementation of four core functions:
- providing strategic leadership, ensuring clarity of ethos, vision, and strategic direction
- holding the Headteacher to account for the educational performance of the school
- overseeing financial performance and making sure money is well spent and,
- providing support and challenge to our superb school team.
We do this by meeting as a Board four times a year and by delegating specific tasks to sub committees who each meet three times a year. Committees have overview of Finance and Audit, Quality of Education and Behaviour and Welfare. Our board is a knowledgeable and experienced group who possess extensive experience in education, finance, human resources, and technology. Collectively we are well placed to provide support to the headteacher and her leadership team, while challenging them to ensure accountability, compliance, and strategic clarity.
We are very grateful for the support and commitment of our fellow governors, who devote so much of their free time to ensure objectives are met. We all work alongside the Headteacher and her staff, supporting and challenging, in a constant search for improvement and development of the whole school. We put the safety, welfare, and education of our pupils at the heart of everything we do.
All governors spend time in the school where we witness the quality, dedication and caring behaviour of our leadership team, teachers, supervisors, tutors, and support staff which is exemplary, and we are very proud of the team spirit, skill, hard work and commitment shown by them every day.
If you wish to contact us to discuss any matter further, we can be contacted via the school office.
Dick Ayling and Linda Halliday
Co-Chair of Governors
