Chairman's Letter
October 2009
My name is Jo Hutson and I am the current Chair of Governors for Sibsey Free Primary School. All three of my children have been through this school, Richard currently at Boston Grammar School, William in Y6 and Beatrice in Y4. I myself am also a product of Sibsey, moving on to King Edward VI Grammar School in Spilsby. I have been a Governor now for several years and have found it a very rewarding experience. To have a practical ‘hands on’ role in both my children’s and the school’s future has been an immense privilege.
The diverse backgrounds of the School Governors bring a wealth of experience to the Governing Body, all with ultimately the same aim, to move the school forwards with security and consistency and to equip the pupils with the knowledge and skills they will require when they leave us and go on to their secondary schools.
Our July 2009 OFSTED report speaks for itself and the exceptional work of our teaching staff was duly recognised. This is an exert from the letter which Lead Inspector Charlie Henry sent to the pupils following the inspection:-
“Sibsey Free Primary is a good school and continues to get even better. It has some outstanding features. We were very impressed with how exceptionally hard you work and with your excellent behaviour. We know how much you enjoy your school. You get on extremely well together and take very good care of each other. You are a credit to your families and your school. Your school council and field committee members ensure that your views are known. The school is a safe and happy place. We think all of the staff take exceptionally good care of you.”
And that is why I became a Governor. The pupils. I feel that Sibsey Free Primary School gives the opportunity for children to mature and offers assistance to all pupils, whether they find school a challenge or whether they are high achievers.
Being a Governor is sometimes looked upon as a being a member of a ‘secret society’. Nobody really knows who they are or what they do.
What I would like to do in my year of Chairmanship is to enable you to unravel the ‘secret society’ and see what the Governing Body do by giving you an insight into our work. By doing this, I hope that it will prompt more people into becoming Governors when the opportunity arises. There is obviously a high degree of confidentiality as there is within any business boardroom, but the Governors are there to listen to the staff, pupils, parents and carers and it is important that you, all as stakeholders, know how the Governor system works.
We can be contacted via the school and will always be pleased to carry your views and/or questions to the Governor’s meeting.
It is a privilege to be a part of this school.
Jo Hutson