What Is The Governing Body?
Definitions of ‘Governing Body’
‘a group of people who formulate policy and direct an institution along with its management’ [Dictionary.com]
‘a group of people who formulate the policy and direct the affairs of an institution in partnership with the managers, especially on a voluntary or part-time basis’ [Oxford Dictionary]
School Governing Bodies
- All state schools in England and Wales have a governing body.
- The governing body has a legal responsibility to conduct the school with a view to promoting high standards of educational achievement at the school.
- Governing bodies have three key roles:
- setting strategic direction
- ensuring accountability
- monitoring and evaluation
- The Governing Body selects the head teacher, ensures that the National Curriculum is taught and that the school follows national education policy.
- The governing body is accountable to parents and the authorities.
- Each state school has a legal document called the “Instrument of Government” which states the name of the school together with the number and type of governors for the school.
Who Are The Governors?
- School governors are people who wish to make a positive contribution to children’s education. No special qualifications are required, but enthusiasm, commitment and an interest in education are important qualities to bring to a governor post.
- Governors must be aged 18 or over at the date of their election or appointment.
- Governors are the largest volunteer force in the country; there are approximately 350,000 school governor posts in England.
- Governors work in partnership with the head teacher and other school staff to promote high standards of educational achievement at the school.
- Governors have a legal responsibility to conduct the school with a view to promoting high standards of educational achievement.
- There are different types of governors, representing different interested parties. At Immanuel the interested parties are:
- The Church of England (the Foundation Authority)
- Bradford Council (the Local Authority)
- School Staff (both teaching and non-teaching)
- Parents / Carers of pupils
- The school head teacher is usually a member of the governing body, unless she/he elects not to be.