School Governors are committed people who come from all walks of life in the local community. As schools become increasingly independent, it is more important than in the past that a strong and knowledgeable governing body brings a range of skills and experience to support the school. Details of the current governors can be found here.
Governors are responsible for overseeing the management side of a school: strategy, policy, budgeting and staffing. They enable their school to run as effectively as possible, working alongside senior leaders and supporting teachers to provide excellent education to children.
The responsibilities of a school Governor:
- to determine the strategic aims of the school, together with the Headteacher and staff
- to know how the school is achieving and promote high standards across the school
- to ensure the school has a broad and balanced curriculum which promotes the spiritual, moral, cultural, mental and physical well-being and development of pupils
- to establish a school development plan together with the Headteacher and staff and regularly monitor its progress
- to ensure school policies required by law are in place and implemented well
- to check that the school’s finances are well-managed for the benefit of pupils
- to support the Headteacher and leadership team to ensure all staff are well-managed and professionally stimulated.
What a school Governor does:
- visits and keeps in touch with the school to support and encourage staff and ensure all is running well
- monitors standards and progress data and asks questions of the Headteacher about the progress of different groups of pupils in the school
- tracks progress on the school development plan priorities
- engages in discussions of school policy at governors’ meetings
- links to a particular subject area or class to support the teacher
- keeps in touch with parents’ and children’s views of how the school is meeting their needs.
How the Governing body works
There is a Full Governing Body which meets at least five times each academic year and a Finance Committee which meets at least four times a year. Alongside these committees there are working groups which look into specific tasks and recommend their findings to the FGB. All the committees and working groups have terms of reference but only the Finance Committee and the FGB have delegated powers which can be seen in our Scheme of Delegation. Minutes of meetings are available to view in the school office.
Brighstone’s governing body is made up of different categories of governors:
- Foundation Governors – nominated by the local Parish
- LA Governor – appointed by the Local Authority
- Staff Governor – elected by the Staff
- Headteacher
- Parent Governors – elected by the parents.
If specific knowledge or skills are needed, the governing body can also appoint Associate Members (who attend meetings but cannot vote).
Contacting the Governing body
If you would like to contact the governors of the school at any time, please leave a message in the school office addressed to the Chair of Governors, Brighstone CE Primary School or contact the clerk to governors, Mrs Lisa Abbott at clerk@brighstoneprimary.org.uk.
Principles of Working as a Governor and as a Governing Body
Governors, once appointed, are holders of public office, and should be prepared to work to the same principles as any paid public official, i.e. selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty, leadership.
Selflessness
Holders of public office should take decisions solely in terms of the public interest. They should not do so in order to gain financial or other material benefits for themselves, their family or their friends.
Integrity
Holders of public office should not place themselves under any financial or other obligations to outside individuals or organisations that might influence them in the performance of their official duties.
Objectivity
In carrying out public business, including making public appointments, awarding contracts, or recommending individuals for rewards and benefits, holders of public office should make choices on merit.
Accountability
Holders of public office are accountable for their decisions and actions to the public and must submit themselves to whatever scrutiny is appropriate to their office.
Openness
Holders of public office should be as open as possible about all the decisions and actions that they take, They should give reasons for their decisions and restrict information only when the wider public interest clearly demands this.
Honesty
Holders of public office have a duty to declare any private interest relating to their public duties and to take steps to resolve any conflicts arising in a way that protects the public interest.
Leadership
Holders of public office should promote and support these principles by leadership and example.
School Governors Wanted
