The role of the school governor is demanding but very rewarding and is a good way to give back to your local community. School governing bodies are responsible for working with the school to ensure that it delivers a good quality education. Together with the headteacher, who is responsible for day-to-day management, they set the school's aims and policies.
Governors have three main roles:
- To support senior leaders to provide strategic direction for the school
- To act as a critical friend to the headteacher
- To ensure accountability, best practice and ultimately, work toward an outstanding provision
They also carry out a number of other important duties, which include:
- Ensuring safeguarding protocols are compliant with national expectations
- Making sure school buildings are welcoming and safe
- Setting and monitoring the school's aims and policies
- Setting standards for pupils' behavior and discipline
- Forming policy on the school's curriculum and collective worship
- Supporting the headteacher in determining how the school's budget is spent
- Hearing appeals and grievances
- Dismissal of staff
The Governing Body works together as a team:
- There are a maximum of seven Governing Body meetings each year
- Some Governors have specific responsibilities - for example, Special Educational Needs, Health & safety, Child Protection, Curriculum etc...
- In addition to an induction programme, all Governors have the opportunity to undertake further training to build on existing skills or to help develop new ones