Local Governing Body

Key Roles of Governors:

• To ensure clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction
• To hold the Headteacher to account for the educational performance of the school and its pupils
• To hold the Headteacher to account for the performance management of staff
• To oversee the financial performance of the school

We also carry out a number of other important duties, which include:

• Determining how the school's budget is spent
• The appointing and dismissing of staff
• Hearing appeals and grievances
• Forming policy on the school's curriculum
• Setting standards for pupils' behaviour and discipline
• Making sure school buildings are welcoming and safe
• Setting and monitoring the school's aims and policies

In order to do this, our governors gain knowledge of how the school operates through training, by attending meetings, and by getting to know the school community, for example, through a small number of visits during the school day.

How do we do it?

The governing body meet formally every 6-8 weeks. Meeting dates are usually set well in advance and meetings generally last between two and three hours. Governors are expected to be well prepared for these meetings and attendance is expected, with apologies only for good reasons.

The governing body govern without committees, but each governor has an area of responsibility, focusing on key areas such as safeguarding, curriculum, school improvement/performance or finance and staffing.

In addition, some governors volunteer to fulfil specific roles, such as being the Special Educational Needs governor, or the Health and Safety governor, or the link governor for a particular year or subject.

All governors arrange a couple of shorter visits to school and classrooms focusing on key priorities, so that they can see how the school is addressing issues identified for development.

The governing body are people who want to make a positive contribution to children's education. The role of the governing body is absolutely key to the effectiveness of the school and it has an important part to play in raising school standards.