A school’s Local Governing Board is a corporate body. This means it has a legal existence separate from that of its individual members. It comprises both appointed and elected members, known as governors, who serve for a term of four years.

‍

The Local Governing Board works with the leadership team, providing support and appropriate challenge, to ensure that the school operates as effectively as possible.

‍

Ofsted acknowledges that the most successful schools demonstrate high standards of leadership and management – including that of the governing board.

‍

The role of the Local Governing Board

The Local Governing Board focuses on school-specific needs and ensures community engagement and accountability.

‍

It has four key functions:

Direction: Ensure there is clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction.
Performance: Hold executive leaders to account for the school’s educational performance, pupil outcomes and staff performance management.
Expenditure: Have account of key variances to budget and responsibility for holding leaders accountable for pupil premium and sports premium spending.
Stakeholders: Ensure the voices of stakeholders are heard.

‍Who can become a governor?

For a school to operate successfully, it requires a governing board with a balance and diversity of knowledge, skills and experience.

‍

You must be aged 18 and over and do not need to be a parent. There is no requirement for you to have a formal understanding of the education system, just an enquiring mind, the ability to work as part of a team and the time to contribute and attend the half termly meetings.

‍

Above all else, we are looking for governors who share our values and have a passion for improving the lives of the children and young people we serve.

‍

As a governor, you will be able to:

Draw on your professional and life experiences to inform discussion and decision making.
Utilise and develop your skills in a board-level environment.
Support and challenge the school to drive improvement for its whole community.

‍