Info for Prospective Governors

Training Provided

 Training and guidance for new governors is provided.  In addition, our Governors regularly attend training programs and seminars provided by organisations such as the National College and Local Authority, and some may undergo specific training if they undertake a special role. Many of us spend time with leaders at GJS as well as other local schools sharing good practice and keeping abreast of legislative changes. 

The Role of a Governor 

This role descriptor outlines the requirements and specification of the ideal candidate for the role of a governor. 

A governor is expected to hold the school to account for the decisions it makes and how these decisions impact pupils. Governors are responsible for ensuring the school raises standards for all pupils both in terms of their attainment and their experience at school. Governors also oversee the school’s financial performance and ensuring that budgets are well balanced.  

This is a generic governor role descriptor which outlines the key duties associated with the role of a school governor. In addition to fulfilling the generic duties listed below, governors will also be given more specific ‘link’ roles depending on experience and skills.  

 

 General duties 

  • Hold the SLT to account for its decision making.  

  • Help to ensure that all decisions made by the governing body are in the best interests of the school and the community in which it resides. 

  • Help set and maintain the school’s vision, ethos and strategic direction. 

  • In collaboration with other members of the governing body, identify key areas for improvement. 

  • Set clear and ambitious strategic priorities and targets for the school. 

  • Ensure the school’s curriculum is accessible for all pupils. 

  • Ensure the school’s policies and procedures are effective, up-to-date and acted upon. 

  • Ensure the school has the resources it requires to deliver on the expectations of the governing body. 

  • Set realistic targets for the school. 

  • Contribute to, but not write, certain school policies. 

  • Prepare for meetings by reading all relevant paperwork and considering queries, feedback and potential issues to raise. 

  • Read relevant briefings and newsletters. 

  • Respect and adhere to the confidentiality of governing body affairs. 

  • Develop an in-depth understanding of effective governance as well as school policies and procedures. 

  • Act within the framework of the governing body’s code of conduct, policies and requirements. 

  • Apply personal and professional knowledge and skills to the objective of raising school standards. 

 Compliance with legislation and guidance 

  • Ensure all school policies are compliant with government guidance and legislation. 

  • Maintain a strong awareness of key government guidance and legislation, e.g. ‘Keeping children safe in education’. 

  • Ensure staff members have an understanding of education guidance and legislation relevant to their role. 

  • Ensure all staff members undergo the training relevant to their position in accordance with statutory requirements. 

  • Ensure all staff members have undergone the appropriate DBS check relevant to their role. 

 Monitoring

  • Use pupil attainment data to assess how well pupils are performing academically. 

  • Monitor the progress and performance of the school as a whole. 

  • Fulfil any monitoring responsibilities relevant to your specific governor role. 

  • Monitor certain school policies to ensure they are in place and are being acted upon. 

  • Ensure the school’s budget is being managed effectively. 

  • Maintain an awareness of the budget available for improvement to ensure targets are realistic. 

  • Ensure the school’s curriculum is challenging, engaging, accessible and compliant with the national curriculum for the relevant subject and key stage. 

  • Develop an understanding of how the school works, its strengths, and areas for its improvement. 

  • With the governing body as a whole, hold the SLT to account for the educational performance of the school and its pupils, and for the performance management of staff. 

 Communication 

  • Communicate to the governing body any areas for concern. 

  • Attend, and actively participate in, governing body meetings. 

  • Ask the SLT challenging questions. 

  • Listen to the views of pupils, parents, staff members, the local community and other key stakeholders regarding certain aspects of the school. 

  • Communicate anything specific to your link role to the wider governing body. 

  • Work in partnership with the headteacher, SLT and other governors to improve educational outcomes for pupils. 

  • Provide accurate and considered feedback to the governing body, headteacher and SLT as required, based on knowledge and experience. 

 Additional duties 

  • Invest time in personal and professional development, including by attending relevant governance training. 

  • Contribute towards a positive culture and effective processes in relation to self-evaluation. 

  • Undertake any additional ‘link governor’ responsibilities as applicable to your governance role. 

  • Identify any gaps in knowledge, skills and experience and take responsibility for personal learning and development, including by attending school-organised training. 

  • Serve on panels to perform specific duties as and when required. 

  • Abide by all relevant governance policies, e.g. the Governing body Code of Conduct.