What do Governors do?
Governors are strategic leaders of schools and have a vital role to play in making sure every child gets the best possible education. For maintained schools, such as Patcham Infant School, this is reflected in law. The core functions of the governing body are set out in The School Governance (Roles, Procedures and Allowances) (England) Regulations 2013. They include but are not limited to ensuring:
- that the vision, ethos and strategic direction of the school are clearly defined
- that the headteacher performs their responsibilities for the educational performance of the school
- the sound, proper and effective use of the school's financial resources.
They carry out their duties under a legally constituted Instrument of Government and regulations stipulated by various Acts of Parliament and agree to abide by a code of conduct that includes acting according to the Nolan principles. They have guidance from the Department of Education - https://www.gov.uk/guidance/governance-in-maintained-schools/1-effective-governance.
Governors are unpaid volunteers that play an important part in overseeing the running of the school in the interests of the community it serves but the responsibility for the day-to-day management of the school is with the headteacher and staff. Individual governors have no authority whatsoever; such powers as they have are vested in the governing body as a whole and their decisions are recorded and made available for anyone to see. They give direction and focus, drawing on other stakeholder views to assist their work.
How are we organised?
The full governing body meets at least twice a term. At least one meeting each term includes a focus on finance and another on attainment and progress of pupils. Powers have not been delegated to individual governors or committees, with the exception of a pay committee to make decisions under the pay policy. No governor has individual delegated powers; however, all have links, for example to areas of school improvement, curriculum, policies or priority areas and the link governors make reports and recommendations to the governing body. The governing body is led by the Chair of Governors, David Skeet. The Vice Chair of Governors from 1.9.23 is Marie Buss. The constitution of the governing body is detailed on the Who are We? page.
