Governors

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 a vital role to play in driving up school and pupil performance and ensuring that resources are used well to give every child the best possible education.

The role of the governing body is key to the effectiveness of a school.  Ofsted has noted that the most effective schools demonstrate effective leadership and management - including by the governing body.

What do Governors do?

School governors provide strategic leadership and accountability in schools, and strive to promote high standards of educational achievement.    They have a wide range of statutory responsibilities.  They appoint staff,  making sure the National Curriculum is being delivered correctly and that the school makes the best possible use of its finances.

Each individual governor is a member of a governing body, which is established in law as a corporate body.  Individual governors may not act independently of the rest of the governing body.  Decisions are the joint responsibility of the governing body.

In all types of schools, governing bodies should have a strong focus on three core strategic functions:

a. Ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction;

b. Holding the head teacher to account for the educational performance of the school and its pupils; and

c. Overseeing the financial performance of the school and making sure its money is well spent.

The head teacher is responsible for the internal organisation, management and control of the school and the implementation of the strategic framework established by the governing body.