GOVERNORS' REPORT

2024-2025

WELCOME

We Are Your Governing Body

Our Governing Body is made up of twelve Governors. All Governors are volunteers who want to make a positive contribution to children’s education by ensuring the highest standards of teaching, learning and welfare are maintained throughout our school. 

A NOTE FROM THE CHAIR

A very warm welcome to our Annual Governor Report 2024-25. We are fortunate to have an active and committed Governing Body here at Storrington Primary School, who work closely with the Headteacher and all staff. 

As a board our core responsibilities include; 

1.  Setting the vision and strategic direction for the school, in conjunction with the senior leadership team.
2.  Supporting and, where appropriate, challenging the leadership team.
3.  Oversight of the finances of the school.
4.  Consulting with parents, children, staff and the community about their views of the school.

This report allows us to focus on priorities for the current academic year, it also provides us with the opportunity to reflect on previous successes. I hope you'll join me in recognising and celebrating all of the children's fantastic achievements, we are extremely proud of each and every one of them. Of course, these successes wouldn't be possible without your valued support. On behalf of the Governing Body I would like to say a huge heartfelt thank you to parents, carers, community members, and our excellent FOSS group for your ongoing contribution.  We look forward to continuing to foster and grow our partnership together. Equally, please join me in thanking Mr Choate and his staff for their continued hard work and devoted effort doing their very best for the children here at Storrington Primary School.

Here's to a flourishing 2026.

Warm regards, 

Laura Rawnsley 

Chair of Governors 

OUR VALUES

SUCCESSES
2024-2025

New Behaviour Policy

The introduction and embedding of our new Behaviour Policy has brought clarity and consistency to expectations across the school. This has contributed to a positive school culture where pupils demonstrate responsibility, kindness, and resilience, supporting improved behaviour and attitudes both in and out of the classroom.

New Senior Leaders and Internal Progression

Our largely new senior leadership team, strengthened by talented internal progression, has brought fresh energy and expertise to the school’s strategic direction. Their leadership has been instrumental in driving improvements in teaching quality, pupil outcomes, and staff development, reinforcing a culture of high expectations and professionalism.

Year 6 End of Year Production 

The Year 6 end of year production - Oliver Jr! -  was a resounding success, showcasing our pupils’ creativity, confidence, and cooperation. It was a wonderful celebration of their individuality and resilience, and a highlight for the whole school community, reflecting our values in action.

Sporting Achievements

Our pupils have done well in a range sporting activities this year, demonstrating teamwork, determination, and positivity. These achievements not only contribute to their physical well-being but also foster a sense of pride and belonging, reinforcing our vision of developing curious and resilient thinkers who make a positive impact.

Community Links 

This year we have worked hard on establishing and fostering relationships within the community, including the Parish Council, Chanctonbury Leisure Centre and the local church. Regular collaboration with our community stakeholders is important for our children, as it helps connect them with real life experiences and resources, whilst promoting a sense of belonging within our village. 

School Extension

This year, we have been awarded the finances from West Sussex County Council to have a permanent extension added to the school building. This will replace the old modular building which has been removed from site and replaced with an additional hard standing play space.

OBJECTIVES

These are the objectives that the school will be working towards in the 2025-2026 academic year.

1. All learners will achieve their potential, regardless of starting point, through a rich, diverse curriculum that both supports and stretches

• We will embed inclusive practice to create a positive and supportive environment for all students

• We will enhance provision, collaboration and staff confidence for students with special education needs and disabilities

• We will enhance the consistency and impact of Quality First Teaching (QFT) to improve pupil outcomes

• We will Improve the quality and impact of our maths provision

2. We will create a community of curious and resilient thinkers who value learning and make a positive impact on society

• We will continue to offer the same high level of extra-curricular opportunities, ensuring these are accessible to all pupils

• We will increase our overall pupil attendance rate to 96%

• We will reduce persistent absence among disadvantaged pupils by 5%

3. We will champion a student-led approach to celebrating diversity, promoting equality and driving social responsibility

• We will continue running our pupil leadership groups

• We will ensure the school continues to celebrate diversity through participation in national initiatives including Black History Month, Pride Month, and Gypsy Roma Traveller Month

4. We will build a safe, happy, inclusive and sustainable environment where all learners, staff and community can excel

• We will embed the new Behaviour Policy and expectations

• We will launch the new Outdoor Play and Learning (OPAL) scheme for all pupils

• We will progress the development of the school facilities, including the new extension

5. We will improve our financial resilience by looking at opportunities to diversify income, build new partnerships and attract an increase in pupil numbers

• We will strengthen and embed the community links we established in 2024/25

• We will look for new opportunities for grant-based funding and sponsorships

6. We will develop strong, passionate leaders whose expertise is recognised inside and outside the school gates

• We will embed the new leadership team and new teaching staff, continuing to build a culture of trust

• We will continue to offer appropriate opportunities for professional development and growth

MONITORING

Governors carry out school visits, meeting with the relevant lead teacher for the subject. They often see children to hear about their experience with their learning. A monitoring visit report is completed, and this is then discussed and evaluated at Governing Board meetings.

FINANCE

In 2024-25 we had a total operating budget of £1,888,560.21. This was a slight decrease from 2023-24 when it was £1,945,551.94. We are mainly funded by the local authority based on the number of pupils registered as well as through grants, SEND funding and pupil premiums. 

Staff are one of Storrington Primary’s greatest strengths and most of our funding goes to staff costs. We are fortunate to also receive voluntary contributions from parents, carers, community members and FOSS which helps us to run extra-curricular activities and our swimming pool.

PARENT FEEDBACK

Your feedback is vital to us. Every year the school conducts a parent and carer survey aimed at gathering insights regarding experiences and perceptions of the school. This initiative is part of our ongoing commitment to engage with the school community and enhance the educational environment for all pupils. 

The feedback collected from this survey is also important for understanding the strengths and areas for development within our school community. It provides a platform for you to voice your opinion on various aspects of school life, including teaching quality, communication, behaviour management, and extracurricular activities. By analysing these responses, we aim to foster a collaborative environment where parents and carers, staff and governors work together to support the academic and personal growth of our pupils. 

For example, the previous parent survey highlighted concerns with behaviour, which has since informed the new behaviour policy and this year’s objectives. The next parent and carer survey will run during the Spring term 2026. We would really appreciate your support by completing the form and providing us with your valued feedback.

FRIENDS OF STORRINGTON SCHOOL

FOSS (Friends of Storrington School) is excited to share that a new committee is now in place. The team is enthusiastic about building on the brilliant work of the previous committee and keeping the school’s vital fundraising efforts moving forward.

We’re focused on strengthening our relationships across the whole school community, working closely with parents, connecting with local partners like Chanctonbury Leisure Centre and the Wardens, and continuing to involve our fantastic local businesses. Our aim is to support the school’s wish list through a mix of tried-and-tested fundraising ideas as well as exploring fresh opportunities.

We want our efforts to benefit every year group, and we remain committed to ensuring that children with SEND receive the support and resources they need.

At our core, we’re all about collaboration, community and taking positive action and we’re looking forward to working together to make a real difference for our school.