SCHOOLS FINANCIAL VALUE STANDARD (SFVS) FINANCE GOVERNOR’S SELF EVALUATION

Please tick your choices

Very Confident

Confident

Developing Skills

Require Support

(1) Provides Strategic Leadership

Long-Term Planning

• I have a knowledge and understanding of school priorities, aims and objectives.

• I am able to explain our strategic priorities, their financial implications and objectives.

• I have been involved in delegating tasks to the Head Teacher.

• I promote team working between governors and all staff.

Decision Making

• I can use information provided by staff in a useful way.

• I am able to contribute to enable the committee to take necessary decisions, even if difficult.

• I am prepared to listen to a range of people within school to obtain their views.

• I am aware that there are very often a number of solutions to a problem and I am prepared to explore alternative approaches and work in partnership with stakeholders.

• I am able to consider most documents produced by school and identify the important parts.

School Financial Management

• I am aware of how the School is performing financially.

• I understand the internal financial controls outlined in the finance policy.

• I have co-operated with external inspectors/auditors etc. and taken appropriate action in response to their findings.

(2) Ensures Accountability

Statutory Financial Requirements

• I understand the legal financial frame work in which the School operates.

• I have an understanding of the School’s funding arrangements

• I have some knowledge of information that can be requested by the LA and DfE.

Budget Setting and Monitoring

• I have an understanding of finance and budgeting.

• I am numeric and have some analytical skills.

• I am aware that appropriate resource allocation can have a real impact on pupil outcomes and how the school performs.

• I can interpret budget monitoring information in a useful way and can communicate the interpretation to interested parties.

Communicating the School’s Performance to Stakeholders

• I understand the monitoring returns for the DfE and LA and check that procedural requirements and timescales are followed.

• I am open and diplomatic when communicating with interested parties.

(3) Acts as a Critical Friend

Commitment to the School

• I play an active part in the work of the Governing Body by preparing for meetings, attending meetings, contributing to discussions and taking agreed actions.

• I have improved my financial management knowledge by discussions with staff, and reading relevant papers.

• I have participated in financial training both within school and through external training.

• I have supported the Head Teacher in helping new governors to understand their financial management role and to make a full contribution.

• I declare personal and pecuniary interests as appropriate and avoid using my position for personal gain.

Presentation of Information

• I try to use analytical skills to challenge management constructively and ask probing questions.

• I am able to present information and my viewpoint clearly.

• I seek to resolve misunderstanding and conflict by giving and receiving constructive feedback.