What is the role of the Governing Body?

Every school has a governing board which represents the interests of the children, local community and wider public in the running of the school. 

The main aim of the governing body is to maintain and improve the quality of education and the standards of achievement and attainment at the school. The role of School Governors is to help schools provide the best possible education for the pupils at the school by working closely with the Head of Federation, Heads of School, staff and the Local Education Authority. School governing bodies that clearly understand their roles and responsibilities, build productive relationships with school leaders, know their schools well and use the views of parents, pupils and the wider community are best equipped to drive improvement in their schools.

The governing body meets regularly and works closely with the Head of Primary and the staff to decide the school’s aims and policies and to oversee the efficient running of the school.

The governors work in partnership with the Churches’ London Diocesan Board for Schools and Westminster Council and have particular responsibility for:

• Setting aims and planning for the future of the school
• Agreeing targets to raise standards of achievement
• Ensuring the curriculum for the school promotes the spiritual, moral, cultural, mental and physical development of the pupils
• Managing the school budget by providing the head teacher with guidance, setting priorities and budget monitoring
• Staffing issues, including appointing the head teacher and other staff and determining salaries
• Deciding the school’s policies on issues including admission
• Making sure all pupils have equal opportunities within the school and providing for pupils with special educational needs
• Ensuring a safe environment for all.
• Ensuring there is a high standard of maintenance of the school’s premises
• Dealing with complaints about the school/Dealing with disciplinary matters.

From September there will be at least 7 meetings of the full governing body and designated governors for finance, staffing, safeguarding, premises, curriculum, admissions. The strategy group will also meet at least three times per year.

If you have any queries about the work of the governors or wish to raise an issue with the governing body, please contact londongovernance@gmail.com 

Training, development and support for governors

Training and development is a vital part of becoming an effective governor. It assists governors in dealing with the issues that occur regularly, in keeping up with the many changes taking place in education, and in supporting schools to raise standards.

Who appoints governors?

There are several different groups responsible for appointing governors, although once appointed all governors essentially perform the same role. 

• Parent governors usually have children at the school and have been elected to join the governing body by the parent body.
• Staff governors are elected on to the governing body by staff at the school
• Foundation governors are intended to represent the community served by the school and are appointed by the governing body itself
• Local Authority governors are appointed by the Local Authority of the school