What is a School Governor?
School governors are volunteers who help to run the school. Most schools work with a group of school governors – together they’re called the ‘Governing Body‘. They’re involved in decisions about all aspects of managing the school – such as running buildings and budgets, supporting staff and setting standards of school discipline.
Governors also help to make big decisions about the school’s long-term goals. They support Headteachers, but also ask questions and make sure the Headteacher is taking the school in the right direction.
Who can be a school governor?
Anyone over 18 can be a school governor – you don’t have to be a parent with a child at the school. However, every Governing Body includes Parent Governors, and it can be a rewarding way to be involved in your child’s school.
The most important qualities for being a governor are enthusiasm, commitment and an interest in education. You don’t need teaching experience, but it’s useful to bring skills from other areas of your life.
What does the role involve?
At most schools, you’ll need to attend a governors’ meeting each half term. You’ll also be expected to join one or two sub-committees – these cover different areas like the curriculum, finance or buildings. You’ll need to be able to work well in a team, as you’ll be making joint decisions on policy.
Demands on your time depend partly on how the school is doing generally. Being a governor will be a busy role if the school’s results are getting worse or it’s going through a big change like appointing a new Headteacher or joining with another school.
As a governor, you will need to attend at least 3 full Governing Body main meetings and 3 Business meetings per year.
Welcome from Our Chair of Governors
Welcome to our schools website. I hope you found the information displayed useful.
A successful school governing body is responsible for monitoring the safety, welfare and education of all our children.
To achieve this, our members have a broad range of knowledge and are made up of people with experience in business, public service, education in primary, human resource management etc. We also have governors who represent the parent body and the staff of the Academy.
Working as a team, with the help and support of the children, staff and parents in an open and caring environment, the governing body become involved with a variety of issues including finance, pupil welfare, policies, building/grounds maintenance and staff appointments.
However, we consider that our most important role is to ensure the welfare and education of the children. We meet twice a term, once to review and monitor the strategic direction of the Academy and once to review the educational and business performance.
My role as Chair has given me an insight into just how complex a challenge it is for staff to provide on a daily basis, a welcoming and safe environment, where each pupil is encouraged to learn and develop through a stimulating experience.
If you wish to contact me, please do so via Jules Baldwin the Operations Manager either by letter or email using our Contact us link or 01253 341466.
Emma Swarbrick
Chair of Governors
