What does the Governing Body do?

School governors make important collective decisions, and the governing body is accountable to parents and the community. The responsibilities of the governing body can be summarised as providing strategic management, acting as a critical friend and ensuring accountability. Specific responsibilities include:

• Promoting high standards of education and achievement
• Planning the school’s long-term future
• Setting the school’s aims and values
• Appointing senior staff, including the Headteacher
• Budgetary allocation and control

The day-to-day management of the school is the responsibility of the headteacher, who is also a member of the governing body.

The most important qualities for governors are:

• The desire to make a difference to the lives of children
• The ability to work in a team
• A desire to help the community
• An external perspective
• A willingness to challenge assumptions
• The time to get involved

Governors In School

In order to ensure that our decisions are informed, governors are involved in the life of the school in a number of ways:

• Visits during the school day
• Interaction with staff and children
• Working with, and taking advice from, education professionals, including the local authority
• Participation in school events and visits
• Acting on feedback from key stakeholders e.g. children, parents/carers, staff, community