Governance

Financial accountability

The Headteacher is the designated Accounting Officer of the academy and has overall responsibility for the day to day financial management of the Charitable Company. The Headteacher has delegated responsibility for low values of expenditure to specific budget holders who are each responsible for managing their own departments within the constraints of their allocated budgets. A system of financial controls is in place to manage this process, the robustness of which is reviewed by independent Internal Auditors.

The school’s financial accounts are independently audited on an annual basis by Price Bailey. Internal auditing of the school’s financial systems and procedures is conducted throughout the year by Price Bailey.

Governors are required to disclose any relevant business and pecuniary interests at the start of each meeting. With the exception of the Headteacher and staff governor who are both receive a salary from the school. None of the governors currently have any relevant business or pecuniary interests.

Contacting the governing body

We love hearing from students, parents and the wider community.

If you wish to contact the governing body or have any governance related queries you can email Clerks@wappinghigh.org 

The chair of governors is Kerstyn Comley and can be contacted directly via Chair@wappinghigh.org. If you have any complaints please refer to the school’s complaints policy. It may be more appropriate to contact your child’s tutor, head of house or the Headteacher in the first instance.

Meetings

Become a governor

Current Vacancies

We are looking for two new governors to support our governing body. In particular we are interested to receive expressions of interest from anyone with legal expertise, knowledge of SEND or a strong understanding of the needs of our local community.

If you have an interest in, and commitment to, improving education and would like to make a difference within your community, please register your interest in becoming a governor by contacting us. Don’t hesitate to get in touch If you have any questions about a governor’s role or responsibilities.

What skills, experience and commitment are required?

Governors attend twelve meetings a year and are asked to support and enrich the school in a range of other ways including:

• Undertaking school visits, at least once a term, outside meetings.
• Taking on a ‘link’ governor role, liaising with other governors in the locality on areas such as finance, data, special educational needs and literacy.
• Sitting on panels related to the school.
• Participating in governor training and development.

We are looking for local people who would be committed to supporting Wapping High School’s goals. You need time, enthusiasm and a passion for helping our students reach their full potential.  A full programme of induction, training and support is provided and expenses are covered.

Method of recruitment and appointment or election of Governors

The Members of the Trust are responsible for the appointment of Governors including staff governors, except three co-opted Governors and two parent Governors. In the event that these positions are not filled, the members of the Trust are able to appoint to these positions. Except for the Headteacher, Governors are subject to retirement after 4 years of service but are eligible for re-appointment or re-election at the meeting at which they retire.  

Induction and training of Governors

All Governors are given the opportunity to attend training sessions. Each year all members of the Governing body are offered updates on relevant issues and changes in legislation etc. The topics covered are regularly reviewed to ensure that Governors are kept up to date as far as possible. All Governors are provided with access to policies, procedures, minutes, accounts, budgets, plans and other documents that they will need to undertake their role as Governors. On appointment, governors receive information relating to the Trust and the responsibilities of Governors. An annual skills audit is undertaken to ensure that Governors experience and expertise is taken into account and used to best effect. Governors regularly have the opportunity to meet staff and pupils and visits to the School to improve their understanding and to offer guidance and support.

Please click on the link for an application form to become a governor or to nominate someone.

Governance documents

Articles of Association

Funding Agreement

Annual Statement of Accounts Ending 31 Aug 2020

Download our Annual Statement