The Governing Body has a range of powers and duties laid down by various Education Acts. In the main these responsibilities relate to:
- Setting targets and promoting high standards of education.
- Setting the strategic framework within which the school operates.
- Being part of the schools senior leadership team and to be strategic in their thinking e.g monitoring the progress of all groups of children, evaluating the impact of the school’s curriculum and promoting good teaching and learning.
- Acting as a ‘critical friend’. A ‘critical friend’ offers support, constructive advice, a sounding board for ideas, a second opinion on proposals and help where needed. However a ‘critical friend’ may also challenge, ask questions, seek information, improve proposals and so arrive at the best solution for the pupils, staff and whole school community.
- Making decisions on the school’s budget and staffing.
- Being accountable for the performance of the school to parents and the wider community.
- Ensuring that the curriculum for the school is balanced and broadly based.
- Ensuring that Health and Safety and Safeguarding policy and procedures are followed and embedded.
- Approval of all school policies.
- Making sure the school provides for all its pupils, including those with special educational needs.
At Dothill Primary School we are privileged to have an enthusiastic, dedicated and well-informed group of governors with a wide range of personal interests and expertise. The Governing Body works in close partnership with the Headteacher, staff and the Local Authority. Whilst the Headteacher is responsible for the day to day running of the school, the governors are involved, for example with such things as staffing, curriculum, health and safety, safeguarding, school buildings and finance. It ensures the school functions well and maintains the proper range of academic and social objectives. The Governing Body works as a team with shared responsibilities. Governors never make decisions on their own, nor do they act as individuals.
Could you be a Governor?
Are you interested in the education, welfare and opportunities provided for children and young people? Have you got enthusiasm and time to spare? If so, you could consider volunteering as a school governor.
- Governors give their service voluntarily and no formal qualifications are necessary although there are eligibility criteria.
- Governors are ordinary people, aged over 18, with a special commitment to the education and well-being of children.
- Terms of office will be a minimum of one to a maximum of four years.
If you are interested in becoming a governor please contact the Head Teacher, Mrs Thomas, on 01952 386870.
There are typically four types of Governors:
- Staff Governors
- Parent Governors
- Co-opted Governors
- Local Authority Governors
Membership
The school’s governing body comprises of 11 Governors:
- 4 parent governors – elected by other parents at the school;
- 1 staff governor – elected by their colleagues;
- 1 LA governor - appointed by the governing body;
- 2 Foundation/Trust governors - appointed by the Foundation/Trust and the governing body;
- 2 co-opted governors - invited by the other governors to represent the wider community;
- the Headteacher – appointed by the governing body.