Governor Responsibilities

The main duties and responsibilities of a governor are to:

• Know and support the aims of the school, its mission statement and ensure that these are achieved.

• Determine the overall direction and development of the school through good governance and clear strategic planning.

• Promote and develop the school in order for it to grow and maintain its relevance in society.

• Ensure that the school and its representatives function within the legal and regulatory framework of the sector and in line with the school’s governance document.

• Act in the best interest of the school, beneficiaries and future beneficiaries at all times.

• Maintain sound financial management of the school’s resources, ensuring expenditure is in line with its objectives, and investment activities meet accepted standards and policies.

• Interview, appoint and monitor the work and activities of the senior staff.

• Maintain absolute confidentiality about all sensitive/confidential information received in the course of governors’ responsibilities to the school, and to accord with the conflicts of interest policy.

• Contribute his or her expertise to the discussions of the Governing Board.

Governor Aims

The Governing Board acts are a group of volunteers who work closely with Mr M Singh, Headteacher, in a wide range of roles within the school, both on a day to day basis and also looking at the longer-term plans for the school.  They meet, in school, about four times a year as a Full Governing Board. They also meet regularly as smaller committees, looking in greater depth at matters such as finance, curriculum etc. The committees feedback to the Full Governing Board, but may also have tasks delegated to them by the Governing Board.

The National Governors Association (NGA) describes the core functions of the Governing Board as follows:

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

• Holding the headteacher to account for the educational performance of the school and its pupils

• Ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction

The Governing Board therefore has important powers and duties. Governors set the aims and objectives for the school. They set the policies and targets for achieving those aims and objectives. They monitor and evaluate the progress the school is making and act as a source of challenge and support to the headteacher (a critical friend).  The Governing Board work as a whole – without individual agendas.  The headteacher is responsible for the internal organisation, management and control of the school and the implementation of the strategic framework established by the Governing Board.