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Gifford Primary School

Be Strong, Be Kind, Be Proud

Governance

Role of the Governing Body

Strategic

The Governing Body sets the general direction of the school, looking at how it should best develop. This is done by reviewing and agreeing policies, targets and priorities and monitoring and reviewing aims and objectives.

 

Critical Friend

The Governing Body must work closely with the Head Teacher and create a clear understanding of the challenges faced in managing a school. The Governing Body must feel able to question and challenge.

 

Accountability

A school is a business and its stakeholders are the pupils. The Governing Body must have a professional attitude and use its collective skills to benefit the pupils. It must gather views, ask questions and decide what is best for the school. The Governing Body is answerable to parents and the wider community. The Governing Body is collectively responsible for setting the strategic direction of the school and for monitoring the schools performance.

 

Types of Governors

Staff governors

Elected by teaching and support staff

Parent governors

Elected by parents

Co-opted governors

Members of the local community elected by governors

Local authority governors

Nominated by Ealing Council political parties

 

Overall responsibilities of the governors
  • Help to shape the vision, ethos and direction of the school
  • Ensure the school operates with a view to promoting high standards of educational achievement
  • Challenge and support the school so that weaknesses are tackled decisively and statutory responsibilities are met
  • Hold the Leadership Team to account for the performance of the school
  • Ensure sound management of resources including finance, human resources and infrastructure
  • Ensure statutory policies and documents are in place and regularly reviewed, and that they are effective in meeting their desired aims
  • Act as a good employer
  • Fulfil its duty of care to staff, students, parents and others associated with the school

 

Overall responsibilities of the committees

In addition to the Full Governing Body, which normally meets four times a year, we also have two active committees which each meet three times a year and each Governor would be expected to join at least one of these committees:

  • Resources Committee
  • Teaching and Learning Committee

School Governors