Governor Responsibilities

Governors have three statutory responsibilities as part of their strategic role

In all types of schools, governing bodies should have a strong focus on three core strategic functions:

• Ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction;

• Hold the headteacher to account for the educational performance of the school and its pupils, and the performance management of staff; and

• Oversee the financial performance of the school and making sure its money is well spent

  Governors are appointed to provide

• strong links between the school and the community it serves

• a wide experience of the outside world

• an independent view

• a visible form of accountability for the headteacher and staff of the school

• a team focusing on long term development and improvement

• accountability to the community for the use of resources and the standards of teaching and learning in the school

• support for the headteacher and staff.

  School governors are expected to

• attend the both relevant committee and Full Governing Body meetings

• show an interest in school activities, by for example, visits to the school, reading documentation etc.

• attend necessary training courses to ensure that the Governing Body are able to make informed decisions.

• attend the full governing body annual training.

• visit the school at least twice during school hours for governor business.

• provide as much notice as possible if they are unable to attend meetings to ensure that all Governor’s time is used efficiently and that decision making is not compromised. A minimum of one week is expected.

• ensure that they do not bring the school into disrepute and that they fulfil the role they have.

• share the responsibilities and work as a team.

  In addition, individual governors will usually be involved in some of the following activities often through groups or committees which report back to the main body

• staff appointments

• the financial management of the school

• the curriculum

• liaising with parents and other stakeholders on behalf of the governing body

  Governing bodies are the strategic planners of schools

• agrees policies and practice which allows the headteacher the necessary tools to carry out his/her responsibilities

• agrees principles and targets for improvement

• acts as the critical friend of the school and headteacher

• receives and discusses reports on the resulting practice and conduct of the school

  And Finally..........

  No one governor is expected to know it all. The strength of a governing body lies in its ability to attract and rely upon members from a wide variety of backgrounds, share out the duties amongst its members, and be able to take decisions as a group.