Ballymena Primary School
Board of Governors
Annual Report 2012-2013
Membership of the Board of Governors
The Board of Governors is comprised of nine voting members. The transferor representatives
are Mr John Bateman, Mrs Jean Clarke, Mrs Elizabeth Green and Mrs Patricia McWhirter.
The two governors elected by parents are Mrs Hilary Caithness and Ms Susan Carson. The
NEELB representatives are Mr Joe McKernan and Mr Stewart Heaney while the teacher
representative is Mrs Kerry Simpson. The Principal acts as secretary and is a non-voting
member. During the 2012-13 academic the governors accepted the resignation of Mr
McKernan on health grounds. At a special meeting of Governors Mr McKernan’s
contribution to the life of the school was marked with the presentation of a gift and his place
on the governing body was taken by Mr Andrew Kennedy.
Meetings of Governors
The governors met on eight occasions during the academic year. They regularly attended to
pastoral and special needs issues through regular reports presented by the Vice-principal and
provided financial oversight in support of the Principal. Members also reviewed the previous
year’s school development plan and approved the action plans for 2012-13. A number of
updated policies were approved and a new staffing structure was agreed.
A major emphasis during the year was the formulation of a response to the NEELB areabased plan. This included a number of joint meetings with the governors of Dunclug PS and
Kirkrinriola PS. An agreement between the three schools was presented to NEELB outlining
the proposal to create a federated school.
Curriculum
Based on the requirements of the Northern Ireland Curriculum the Governors supported the
work of the school in responding to the “Every School a Good School” and “Count, Read
Succeed” initiatives. Governors attended a staff training day on Write from the Beginning,
presented by the Principal, as well as governor training provide by NEELB.
The governors noted also the excellent standards the pupils reach in ICT and approved the
appointment of an ICT technician to support the staff in continuing to use digital tools in
support of teaching and learning.
End of Key Stage levels were also monitored by the Governors and members are pleased to
note that end of year predictions for P7 outcomes in Literacy and Numeracy were exceeded
by 2% and 3% respectively. It was also noted that pupils on the SEN register and Newcomer
pupils were making excellent progress in line with their abilities. Those pupils who chose to
sit an entrance exam for post primary schools were also supported in their aspirations and
100% of pupils in year 7 who applied for a grammar school place were successful in their
applications.
The Governors also appreciate the work of the teaching assistants who support general
classroom practice and those who support children with individual learning needs.
In reviewing the 2012-13 academic year the on-going work of the school in developing
thinking skills, positive dispositions for learning and assessment for learning was also noted
by Governors. The school’s official accreditation as a thinking school comes to an end after a
three year period. Members are hopeful this quality mark of excellence in teaching and
learning will be renewed in the next academic year, with the possibility of becoming an
advanced thinking school.
The 2012-13 academic year also saw a successful renewal of the school’s accreditation by the
British Council as an International School.
Extended School Opportunities
The Governors place on record their appreciation of the wide range of extra-curricular
opportunities on offer to the children. These include, choir, Scripture Union, cookery club,
ALTA maths club, art club, netball, hockey and football. Members extend their
congratulations, in particular, to the school football team on their achievements throughout
the 2012-13 season.
The Board of Governors also discussed how the needs of parents could be further supported
in these days of increasing financial pressure. Following a survey of interest conducted by the
Principal it was agreed that a new breakfast club and after school club would be set up. The
breakfast club would open at 8.15am and the after school club would be available to 5.00pm
during term time.
Governors are also pleased to note the increasing community use of the building on Saturdays
when the RSPBA piping and drumming school meets. Two choirs under the auspices of
“Voice of Hope” also use the assembly hall for practices.
All classes had the opportunity to extend their learning through various school trips and
through the number of visitors who were invited into the school. The Annual 4-day
residential experience at the North Coast was very much appreciated by the P7 pupils who
attended.
Classes and attendance
The enrolment of the school has remained stable over the past number of years with an
average intake of approximately 40 pupils each year. The overall attendance was 95.6%.
Building, security and finance
The governors regularly oversee the condition of the building and review health and safety
procedures. Ten staff members were trained in first aid and Mr Bridges continues to offer the
Heart Start programme. A major project approved by NEELB is the refurbishment of the
heating system and its conversion to gas. During the summer holidays a new fire alarm
system with smoke detectors and emergency lighting in classrooms and corridors was
installed. The school remains in a financially sound position and the outturn statement for
2012-13 is appended.
Annual expenditure
Total resources available
Teaching staff
Non-teaching staff
Other employee expenses
Non-staff costs
Gross expenditure
Balance
Total non-delegated expenditure
£1,015,740
£669,890
£145,771
£5,113
£121,236
£942,010
£73,731
£114,531