Interim Executive Board
Dear Parents, Carers, Staff and Students
Oxford School Interim Executive Board
I am sure that you are aware that the school’s governing body has been replaced by an Interim Executive Board. (IEB). Members of the board are keen to communicate openly and effectively and have agreed that we will circulate regular reports of our activities. We intend to do that at least once a term.
‘The IEB’s main functions are to secure a sound basis for future improvement in the school and promote high standards of educational achievement’. We do not exist to promote any changes in the structure of the school. Decisions about the long term future of the school will be determined by the Local Authority, the Department for Children Schools and Families, the Cabinet and any future consultation process. We have been selected because we have a wide range of skills and experience in Education, and for no other reason.
Whatever the medium and long term future of the school, the immediate priorities for Oxford School are very clear. We want Oxford School to be the school of first choice for our local community and we aim to:
· provide first rate educational opportunities, regardless of student background or ability, for the community we serve.
· continue to offer a curriculum that matches student needs and abilities, and continues to raise aspirations, using the best learning methods.
· consolidate our upward trend in standards ensuring our students get the best possible learning experience
· ensure that our students will enjoy their time at school through the challenge of learning and discovery.
· recruit and retain the highest calibre of staff and ensure a supportive and focused professional development programme.
· engage our parents and carers in genuine partnership to support their children’s learning.
· continue to develop our wider partnership work using our specialist school status to enhance our role within the business community and to develop a learning community which is open and accessible.
· further develop ‘the student voice’, ensuring active participation in ‘their school’ by all of our students.
· maintain our commitment to constructive interaction with parents and the wider community
There are six members of the board.
I am chair and, until 2000, was a schools’ officer with Oxfordshire LA. At one time I was the officer linked to Oxford School. Since then, as an independent consultant, I have worked with governing bodies, leadership teams, local authorities and national organisations across the country on issues relating to school leadership, management and governance.
Chris Ballinger has lived in Oxford all his adult life and for some of that time he was resident in the school’s catchment area. He has a full-time job as a Research Facilitator in the University of Oxford and has worked on governance, budgeting for substantial projects, child protection and safeguarding. He is fully committed to public service in Oxford, and amongst other roles is a Justice of the Peace on the Oxford Magistrates’ Bench.
Heather Bower has two children at the school and has been closely involved in the school for 5 years. She has been a member of the PFA.. Heather has experience in Higher Education and has a keen interest in curriculum development.
Martin Roberts was the headteacher at the Cherwell School for 21 years. He has a deep understanding of the national context, the strategic leadership and the operational management of schools. He is totally committed to an IEB that works in close partnership with the leadership team and staff to help the school move forward.
Chris Scrivener is a very experienced School Improvement Officer with the local authority. He has responsibility for management of National Strategies (Secondary) and leadership and management development across the county. He has considerable expertise in managing change, leadership development and curriculum reform.
Claudia Wade. Last but not least Claudia is the Strategic Lead for Governance for the local authority. She has extensive experience as a governor and leads the authority’s Governor Services team. She has been involved in a number of national initiatives including chairing the National Co-ordinators of Governor Services for three years. She has been a Magistrate since 1989.
We are very keen to ensure that, in addition to having the full range of expertise needed, the local community is represented on the Board. A Parent Champion will be sought and it is possible that the IEB may also seek to enlarge its membership when we have completed our initial distribution of responsibilities around individual members.
At the first meeting of the IEB we were well briefed by the Executive Head (Paul O’Brien) and the Associate head (Maurice Dixon) on the school’s context. We are now in the process of distributing governance responsibilities around the six members to ensure that we work efficiently and effectively.
Effectiveness of communication with parents and carers
We are very keen to ensure that communication with parents and carers is two-way. The school seeks feedback from parents/carers on a regular basis. At the end of each term progress reports are sent on all students, and three times a year Progress Days allow face to face consultation with teachers. There are also scheduled parent/carer meetings for years 11 and 13, and for Key Stage 4 and 5 Options. ‘Oxford Communicates’ (our termly newsletter) keeps parents/carers informed of what is happening in the school. The school will always welcome parental/carer comments on how we are doing, and encourage parents/carers to contact us if they have concerns. The next Progress Report is due in week commencing 1st February, and the next scheduled Progress Day is Friday 19th March.
IEB members are extremely impressed by the commitment of the leadership team and the staff and look forward to meeting staff and students in the coming months. I hope too that we will be able to attend events involving parents and carers. We also want to spend time in the school meeting students and staff and experiencing the reality of day to day life and work within Oxford School.
With best wishes
Michele Robbins
Michele Robbins
Chair of Oxford School Interim Executive BoardThe membership of the Interim Executive Board is:
| Name | Position |
| Michele Robbins | Chair |
| Chris Ballinger | Member |
| Heather Bower | Member |
| Martin Roberts | Member |
| Chris Scrivener | Member |
| Claudia Wade | Member |
| Kathy Smith | Clerk |
For any further information on the Interim Executive Board at Oxford School please contact:
Michele Robbins (Chair) or Kathy Smith (Clerk) at the school:
