Annual Impact Statement from the Chair of Governors 2024-25
Annual Governance Statement for the Academic Year 2024/2025
As Chair of Governors, I am pleased to bring you this year’s annual governance statement, which outlines the key achievements of Bexton Primary School and Nursery and the role of the Local Governing Board in supporting and challenging the school’s continued success.
This has been another year of strong performance at Bexton. Our children continue to achieve highly, with attainment and attendance consistently well above national averages. Governors have worked closely with the leadership team to monitor progress and attainment, with particular focus on disadvantaged pupils, ensuring that every child can thrive. The strength of our curriculum, together with improvements in early identification of SEND needs and increased provision in the Rainbow Room, demonstrates our commitment to both academic excellence and personal development.
The Governing Board has been closely involved in leadership development. This year marked the first year in post for our new Deputy Head, Mr Tris Marchington. Governors have been delighted to see how well he has settled into his role. Mr Marchington quickly established strong relationships with children, staff, and parents, and is already making a significant impact on teaching and learning. The board has also supported Mrs Armstrong and the wider senior leadership team in navigating this period of change, ensuring stability and continuity throughout.
One of the most significant milestones of the year, from a governance perspective, was the long-awaited green light for our new Multi-Purpose Building project. Governors have been actively engaged in reviewing plans, balancing financial viability against educational benefit, and persevering through the challenges that rising costs have presented, including a couple of revisits to planning. The decision to move forward in the coming year will ensure that children benefit from improved facilities sooner rather than later. We are excited to see work begin and look forward to opening a space that will enrich the experiences of current and future Bexton pupils.
Safeguarding remains the highest priority. Governors have continued to oversee safeguarding practice in school and have supported Mrs Armstrong in her Trust-wide role leading safeguarding across all schools. Cyber security has also been an area of focus, with the introduction of a new software package to help keep school systems and families safe through awareness and testing.
Another key area has been the review of our school vision and values. Working together with staff and governors, we have refreshed our vision to ensure it is relevant for the future, particularly recognising the opportunities and challenges of preparing our children as digital natives. Governors have also supported the school in contributing to Trust-wide initiatives, sharing expertise and benefiting from collaboration across the Cheshire Academies Trust.
The Governing Board remains committed to strong financial oversight in what continues to be a challenging funding climate. We have supported the business manager in delivering robust budgets, ensuring that investment decisions are sustainable while enabling the best possible outcomes for pupils. The Health and Safety audit, in which the school achieved a platinum award, is another example of the high standards being maintained across all aspects of school life.
Bexton remains at the heart of the Knutsford community. Governors have supported a range of events and celebrations, and we are hugely grateful to Friends of Bexton (FOBS) for their phenomenal fundraising achievements again this year. Their efforts continue to provide resources and experiences that enrich the lives of our children, from outdoor spaces to planned improvements to the Astro Turf.
As a board, we remain a cohesive and dedicated group, committed to ongoing training and succession planning to ensure the right mix of skills and experience. This year our two parent governors were re-elected for a second term, ensuring continuity in their key link Governance roles. We have continued to develop our governance practice through our development plan.
Looking ahead to 2025/26, our priorities are clear: to see the successful completion of the Multi-Purpose Building, to refine and embed the refreshed school vision, to continue driving high standards of attainment and progress, and to support our leadership team in ensuring that Bexton remains a place where every child can flourish.
On behalf of the Governing Board, I would like to thank our leadership team, staff, pupils, parents, and the wider community for their contribution to another highly successful year. Together, we will ensure that Bexton continues to provide an exceptional education and a nurturing environment for all.
Best wishes,
Matt Stephenson
Chair of Governors
Bexton Primary School and Nursery.