Church aided status
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| Hits: 1964
Our school is Voluntary Aided, which means that it was established, and is owned, by a Voluntary body - in this case the Church. As such the Church is able to retain a measure of control over various aspects of the life of the school. We are traditionally part of the church communities of the parishes of St. Mark and St. Sidwell & St. Matthew but also have active involvement with the parish of St. David’s.
The partnership between the Local Authority and the Church is reflected in the composition of the Governing Body, which must, by law, be biased towards the Foundation Governors (those appointed through the Church). The Foundation Governors are appointed to ensure, as far as is practicable, that the Christian character of the school is preserved and developed and the minister of St. Matthew’s Church is a member of the Governing Body.
In addition to the strategic responsibilities of all school Governors, those of Aided schools also:
- are the employers of the staff in the school
- are responsible for the provision, maintenance and improvement of the school building. A 90% grant towards the cost of Capital projects is made by the Department for Children, Families and Schools,but the Governing Body is responsible for raising the 10% and parents are occasionally invited to support Governors' finance.
- decide the admission criteria in conjunction with the LA and must make arrangements for appeals against any decision not to admit a child
- decide dates of terms and times of school sessions (normally in line with the LA)
- control occupation and use of the school premises when not required for school use.
We are lucky to have strong links with St. Matthew's church and the parish. Children worship there once each term and Rev. Jane Ollier or one of her ministry team visit school to take weekly acts of worship and to lead a family Eucharist each term.
