The role of Governors

What do governing bodies do?

 The school’s governing body is responsible overall for the conduct of the school and must lead the school with a view to promoting high standards of achievement. It should fulfil its functions in a strategic way. Broadly speaking governing bodies have responsibilities in the following areas:

• Ensuring the school’s clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction
• Holding the Headteacher to account for the educational performance of the school and its pupils, and the performance management of staff, and,
• Overseeing the financial performance of the school and making sure its money is well spent.

How are governing bodies made up?

 Governing bodies were required to undergo a process of re-constitution before September 2015. This was to ensure they have a dynamic governing body which is no larger than it needs to be, with governors who are actively contributing the relevant skills and experience. They are:

• Parent governors - elected by other parents at the school;
• A staff governor - elected by teachers and support staff working at the school;
• The Headteacher;
• A local authority governor - nominated by the local authority; appointed by the governing body
• Co-opted governors - chosen and appointed by the governing body; and
• Foundation governors at church schools - appointed by the diocesan boards and church authorities.

There may be other categories of governor depending on the type of school.