The Role of the Governing Body

The most important functions of a Governing Body are set about below. Governors address each of these roles through a planned programme of meetings and quality assurance visits. They are to:

• ensure clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction, including long-term planning
• carry out their statutory duties, such as safeguarding,
• ensure that they and the school promote tolerance of and respect for people of all faiths (or those of no faith), races, genders, ages, disability and sexual orientations (and other groups with protected characteristics) and support and help, through their words, actions and influence within the school and more widely in the community, to prepare children and young people positively for life in modern Britain
• contribute to the school’s self-evaluation and understand its strengths and weaknesses, including the quality of teaching, and reviewing the impact of their own work
• understand and take sufficient account of pupil data, particularly their understanding and use of the school data dashboard
• assure themselves of the rigour of the assessment process
• be aware of the impact of teaching on learning and progress in different subjects and year groups
• provide challenge and hold the Headteacher and other senior leaders to account for improving the quality of teaching, pupils’ achievement and pupils’ behaviour and safety,
• use the pupil premium and other resources to overcome barriers to learning, including reading, writing and mathematics
• ensure solvency and probity and that the financial resources made available to the school are managed effectively
• provide support for an effective Headteacher
• monitor performance management systems and understand how the school makes decisions about teachers’ salary progression, including the performance management of the Headteacher, to improve teaching, leadership and management
• engage with key stakeholders and be transparent and accountable