Governing Board

Local Governing Boards (LGBs)

Our LGBs are the champions of our values in each of our schools.  The role of a Local Governor within a Multi-Academy Trust is an important one and sits at the heart of the relationship with school leaders. The Trust Board establishes the LGBs and approves the membership of each board. For the most part, each LGB is made up of individuals drawn from the community, both as elected and appointed members.

The Local Governors are accountable to the Trust Board as well as to the communities they serve. Across all of our LGBs we have a range of expertise that help to support and challenge school leaders to make their school highly effective. Our governor training support programme helps to ensure that new governors are inducted successfully and that existing governors are kept up to date with changes in education practice and procedures.

The Constitution of the Governing Board (GB) and specific responsibilities for 2021/22 are as follows:

• Chair of Governors/Safeguarding, SEN & H&S - Dr Annabel Kay
• Vice Chair/Curriculum (English) (Parent Governor) - Jonathan Canning
• Parent Governor - Chris Harley
• Curriculum (Maths) & EYFS (Parent Governor) - Vikki Harris
• Staff Governor- David Harwell
• Co-opted Governor- Matthew Pope

The Role of the Governing Board

• Together with the Headteacher they are responsible for making sure that our school provides good quality education.
• They provide challenge and support to the Headteacher, drawing on their knowledge and experience.
• They make decisions together on matters such as performance, targets, school policies and school development plans.
• They monitor the impact of policies and oversee school budgets and staffing.
• They report on school achievements and respond to inspection recommendations.
• They hear appeals from pupils and staff and consider complaints.

Who can become a School Governor?

All types of people can become School Governors. No special qualifications are required, but you must be 18 or over on the date when you are elected or appointed. Enthusiasm, commitment and an interest in education are the most important qualities. You don't need to have a child at the school. Many schools would particularly welcome new governors who have transferable skills developed at work, or who have a particularly good understanding of the community served by the school.

What do School Governors do?

The Governing Board of a school is responsible for ensuring that it is run to promote pupil achievement. Its duties include:

• setting strategic direction, policies and objectives
• recommend the school budget to the Trust Board
• reviewing progress against the school's budget and objectives
• appointing, challenging and supporting the Headteacher

The Governing Board is made up of:

• Parent Governors
• Community Governors
• Staff Representatives

What would be involved?

Governing Boards make their decisions based on the advice of committees that deal with specific issues, such as the school's curriculum, premises or finances. If you become a Governor, you will probably be asked to serve on a committee where you have an interest or can make a contribution. The amount of time involved for each Governor varies between schools. However, in a typical month in a typical school you can expect to spend at least six to eight hours on your duties. Being a Governor is a serious commitment, but it can be rewarding. Find out more about the benefits of becoming a school governor on the School Governors' One Stop Shop website: www.sgoss.org.uk