The Role of Governors
The Role of the Governing Body
The governing body is responsible for making sure the school provides a good quality education for all children. Together with the Head it sets the school’s aims and policies, and makes decisions on how to spend the budget.
Its responsibilities and powers have to be exercised in conjunction with the Headteacher and staff.
Individual governors have no power or responsibility. It is only the full governing body which has legal duties and powers and all governors share in that corporate responsibility.
The day to day management of the school is the responsibility of the Headteacher and staff.
Governors govern rather than manage. They are there to give direction and focus by performing a vital strategic role.
As a governor you need to make time to:
- Attend a meeting of the full governing body at least once or twice a term. Most meetings take place in the early evening; but some can also take place during the working day
- Attend committee and working party meetings (if you are invited on to a committee they could meet at least once a term)
- Read reports and background papers prior to meetings
- Attend other events such as concerts, open evenings, sports day etc.
- Take part, if necessary, in staff appointment panels, pupil admission and exclusion panels and more rarely staff discipline and grievance hearings.
As a governor you can demonstrate your commitment to the school by:
- Showing an interest and participating in many of the school’s activities
- Attending governors’ meetings
- Visiting when you can during the day
- Getting to know the staff, pupils and their work
- Offering support and expertise
As a governor it is helpful (but not essential) if you can:
- Keep up to date with local and national developments in education
- Attend governor training sessions (as appropriate)
As a Governor you can be most effective when you:
- Work co-operatively and creatively with others
- Use your personal qualities and expertise in the interest of the school, its pupils and staff
The governing body’s main role is to help raise standards of achievement
- It is accountable for the performance of the school
- It helps shape the school’s future direction
- It monitors and reviews the performance of the school
- It makes decisions about the school’s budget and staffing
- It makes sure the school provides for all its pupils, including those with special educational needs
- It decides how the school can encourage pupil’s spiritual, moral and cultural development
It is important that Governors get things right. How they do their job affects the interests of pupils, staff morale and how the school is seen by parents and others in the community. They are not there to rubber stamp decisions. Governors are responsible for how the school is performing. They have to be prepared to support and challenge their headteacher by gathering views, asking questions and deciding what’s best for the pupils.