Role of the Governing Body
The ‘board of governors’ should operate at a strategic level, leaving the head teacher and senior school leaders responsible and accountable to it for the operational day-to-day running of the school.
- Setting the vision and strategic direction of school;
- Holding the head teacher to account for its educational performance;
- ensuring financial resources are well spent.
Who are the governing body?
- School governors are people who want to make a positive contribution to children’s education.
- Governors are one of the largest volunteer forces in the country and have an important part to play in raising school standards.
- There are also different categories of governor:
- parent
- staff
- foundation
- partnership
- local authority
- co-opted
Information on Boxted St Peter’s CEVC Primary School Governors can be found here.
What do they do?
- Governors appoint the head teacher and deputy headteacher
- The role of the governing board is absolutely key to the effectiveness of a school. Time and time again Ofsted (the national inspection body for schools) has noted that the most effective schools demonstrate effective leadership and management – including by the governing board.
- With the head set the aims and objectives for the school
- With the head set the policies for achieving those aims and objectives
- With the head set the targets for achieving those aims and objectives
- Monitor and evaluate the progress the school is making towards achievement of its aims and objectives
- Be a source of challenge and support to the head teacher (a critical friend)