Parent and Carer Forum Presentation The role of the Governors

What is a governing body? A school's governing body is a legal entity known as a corporate body. It has a legal existence separate from that of its individual members

What are governors? Governors are a group of elected or appointed individuals who collectively are the corporate body Individual governors have no power or right to act on behalf of the governing body.  Except where the whole governing body has delegated a specific function to that individual or where regulations specify a function is to be exercised in a particular way. Individual governors are generally protected from personal liability as a result of the governing body's decisions and actions provided they act honestly, reasonably and in good faith

Delegated functions: A governing body can delegate any of its statutory functions to the headteacher, a committee of governors or an individual governor. They must be reviewed annually by the governing body Any action taken or decision made as a result must be reported to the governing body

What are the key roles of the governing body? Strategic Role Shaping the direction of the school:  Extent of the governing body involvement in School Planning  Consultation with pupils and parents  Target Setting  Budget Setting and control  Policy Setting  Performance management

What are the key roles of the governing body? Evaluating role Rigorous challenge and support as a critical friend; knowing strengths and weaknesses; monitoring plans and the budget:  Extent of the governing body involvement in whole school self-evaluation  Monitoring and evaluating impact of school plan for pupils  Monitoring and evaluating progress towards Targets and outcomes at end of Key Stages  Information from school pupil tracking systems; data analysis; External adviser Reports  Robust financial systems and value for money  Governing Body annual evaluation of its work

What are the key roles of the governing body? Accountability role Holding to account and being accountable; showing evidence of impact of GB decisions:  Evidence of how the governing body has held the school to account (proactive in asking for reports; scrutiny of External adviser reports; Performance Management)  Scrutiny of data (Governor’s Essential Data Pack and information from school pupil tracking)  How is the governing body accountable to pupils, parents, staff, Local Authority and Department for Education?

What are the key roles of the governing body? Fulfilling statutory responsibilities There are a wide range of statutory responsibilities these include: Evidence of governing body review of Self evaluation Rolling programme of policy review Cite specific examples which have had an impact upon pupils in last year

Types of school governors Parent governors – elected. Nominations are sought from the community of parents and carers of children at the school. The remaining community vote for their preferred candidate/s. Staff governors – elected. Nominations are sought from the community of teaching and support staff paid to work at the school. The remaining community vote for their preferred candidate/s. Co-opted governors - appointed. Candidates are considered by the governing body to represent community interests. Individual governors vote for their preferred candidate. Authority governors – appointed. Candidates are considered by a panel of Local Councillors. Suitable candidates are either: Appointed to a school by the panel or; Appointed by the governing body having been nominated by the panel. This is dependent on which constitution regulations the school is working to. Foundation governors - appointed (not community schools) Candidates are considered and appointed by the school's founding body, church or other organisation named in the school's instrument of government Associate members. Associate members are not governors and have limited voting rights. Suitable candidates are considered and appointed by the governing body to attend committee meetings and/or full governing body meetings due to their particular skills or experience.