Governor Impact Statement – 2025–2026

Whole School Vision and Governance Aim

The Governing Body at Park View Primary School remains steadfast in its commitment to enabling and empowering all members of our school community to realise the school’s vision. We strive to develop confident, independent pupils with a lifelong love of learning, a strong sense of self-worth, and empathy for diverse cultures and faiths.

During 2025–2026, governors were particularly proud to see the school's vision and values reflected throughout the successful Ofsted inspection, with inspectors recognising the strong culture of care, inclusion, ambition and belonging that defines Park View Primary School. Inspectors noted that pupils understand and live the school vision of "Rooted in Care, Rising with Purpose" and that leaders, staff and governors share an "unrelenting drive to remove barriers for pupils so they can thrive".

Strategic Priorities and Ethos

Governors continued to champion the school's motto and values:

• Be Kind
• Be Respectful
• Try Your Best
• Be Safe

These values are embedded in every aspect of school life and were recognised during inspection as contributing to a culture where pupils are respectful, inclusive and ambitious. Inspectors highlighted pupils' maturity, kindness, empathy and respect, as well as the strong sense of belonging experienced across the school community.

Governors have maintained a strategic focus on inclusion, attendance, curriculum development, safeguarding, pupil achievement and staff wellbeing, ensuring that decision-making remains firmly centred on improving outcomes for children.

School Improvement and Strategic Direction

Governors have fulfilled their three core strategic functions by:

• Maintaining clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction.
• Holding leaders rigorously to account for educational outcomes.
• Ensuring strong financial oversight and effective use of resources.

A key milestone this year was the highly successful Ofsted inspection in May 2026. Inspectors recognised the significant impact of leadership and governance, highlighting that governors:

• Understand the school’s context well.
• Fulfil their statutory duties effectively.
• Provide appropriate challenge and valued support.
• Monitor attendance, finances and safeguarding rigorously.
• Triangulate leaders' reports through structured monitoring visits.
• Contribute strategically to school improvement and vision development.

Governors have continued to monitor the School Improvement Plan through regular link visits, committee scrutiny and Full Governing Body meetings. Monitoring reports have provided valuable evidence of school strengths and helped identify future priorities, particularly around improving writing outcomes through the school's oracy strategy, identified as the next step in the Ofsted report.

Governor Development and Effectiveness

Governors remain committed to continuous improvement.

During 2025–2026:

• Governors completed safeguarding, finance and strategic leadership training.
• New governors were supported through an established mentoring programme.
• Skills audits informed recruitment, succession planning and role allocation.
• Governors undertook additional inspection-readiness training in preparation for the evolving Ofsted framework.

The effectiveness of governance was externally validated through the Ofsted inspection, which recognised the governing body's contribution to strategic leadership and school improvement.

Committee Impact – Finance and Resources

The Finance and Resources Committee has ensured that funding continues to be targeted where it has the greatest impact on pupils.

Key governor actions included:

• Careful scrutiny and approval of the school budget.
• Alignment of financial decisions with school improvement priorities.
• Oversight of capital improvements to enhance the learning environment.
• Monitoring of Pupil Premium and Sports Premium expenditure.
• Ensuring compliance with procurement and best-value requirements.

Inspectors recognised that governors ensure financial decisions prioritise pupils' needs and that resources are deployed effectively to remove barriers to learning.

Governors have continued to maintain a financially secure and sustainable position despite the increasing challenges facing school funding nationally.

Achievement and Curriculum

Governors have closely monitored pupil achievement throughout the year and are proud of the progress made by pupils across the school.

Inspection evidence highlighted that:

• Pupils achieve well and make notable progress from their starting points.
• Mathematics is a particular strength, with outcomes significantly above national averages in 2024–25.
• Disadvantaged pupils achieve particularly well.
• Pupils with SEND access the same ambitious curriculum as their peers and increasingly demonstrate independence.

Inspectors commended the school's:

• Ambitious curriculum.
• Effective use of assessment.
• Strong early reading provision.
• Commitment to inclusion.
• Developing focus on oracy.

Governors have supported leaders in embedding the school's oracy strategy and will continue to monitor its impact on writing outcomes during 2026–2027.

Inclusion and Personal Development

One of the most significant strengths recognised by Ofsted was the school's commitment to inclusion. Inspectors judged both Early Years and Inclusion as achieving a Strong Standard.

Governors have actively monitored the school's inclusive practices, including:

• Class Education Plans (CEPs).
• SEND provision.
• The Hearing Impairment Resourced Provision.
• Support for disadvantaged pupils.
• Support for children known to social care.

Inspectors found that leaders are highly effective in removing barriers to success and that Park View's approach ensures vulnerable pupils thrive academically, socially and emotionally.

Governors are particularly proud that the school's commitment to belonging, equality and inclusion was recognised throughout the report.

Safeguarding and Wellbeing

Safeguarding remains the governing body's highest priority.

Governors have:

• Completed safeguarding monitoring visits.
• Reviewed safeguarding procedures and statutory compliance.
• Scrutinised safeguarding audits and training records.
• Maintained oversight of attendance, behaviour and pupil welfare.

The inspection confirmed that safeguarding standards are met and that leaders and governors have established an open culture where safeguarding is everyone's responsibility.

Governors have also continued to prioritise staff wellbeing, recognising the importance of supporting staff to deliver the highest quality education. Inspectors highlighted that staff feel valued, listened to and proud to work at the school, and recognised leaders' commitment to workload and wellbeing.

Attendance

Governors have maintained a strong focus on attendance throughout the year.

Inspection evidence recognised that leaders:

• Analyse attendance patterns meticulously.
• Work effectively with families and external agencies.
• Take swift action to address absence.
• Have improved attendance for individual pupils, including those who are persistently absent.

Governors acknowledge that attendance remains an area for continued improvement and will maintain robust oversight of attendance strategies throughout 2026–2027.

Community and Pupil Voice

Governors have continued to strengthen engagement with pupils, parents and the wider community.

Inspection evidence highlighted:

• Strong relationships between home and school.
• Effective pastoral support.
• Meaningful pupil leadership opportunities.
• Inclusive community initiatives.
• Extensive enrichment opportunities for pupils.

Governors have welcomed presentations from pupils during meetings and have seen first-hand the impact of initiatives including:

• Pupil Governors.
• Equality Rights Advocates.
• Young Interpreters.
• Wellbeing Champions.
• Careers Education and Parliament Week activities.

Policy, Compliance and Accountability

Governors have continued to review statutory and non-statutory policies in line with the agreed review cycle and have maintained oversight of:

• Safeguarding.
• Health and Safety.
• GDPR compliance.
• Attendance.
• SEND provision.
• Curriculum implementation.

Monitoring activities have provided assurance that policies are not merely compliant but are implemented effectively throughout school life.

Conclusion

The Governing Body is exceptionally proud of the achievements of Park View Primary School during 2025–2026. The successful Ofsted inspection provided external validation of the school's strengths and recognised the significant contribution of governors in providing effective challenge, support and strategic leadership. Inspectors concluded that governors place pupils at the heart of every decision and contribute meaningfully to the school's clear ambition and culture of high expectations.

As we move into 2026–2027, governors remain committed to supporting leaders in further strengthening writing outcomes through the school's oracy strategy whilst continuing to build upon the many strengths identified by Ofsted. Together, we will continue to ensure that every child at Park View Primary School is rooted in care and rising with purpose.