What does a Governor do?
Governors are responsible for working with the headteacher to raise standards of achievement for all pupils at the school, for setting the budget and for overseeing the curriculum.
They also have powers with respect to the appointment and dismissal of staff and the exclusion and re-instatement of pupils.
Why do schools need Governors?
Every school has a governing body to represent the public in the running of schools. School governors bring perspectives from ordinary life and work with the staff and the local authority to help secure the best possible education for the children in the school.
They have important responsibilities such as managing the school budget, overseeing the curriculum and appointing staff.
Download a copy of the model Terms of Reference for your governing body and its committees below.
This document includes specific Terms of Reference for the:
- Curriculum committee
- Premises committee
- Personnel committee
- Finance committee
Categories of Governors
- Parent
- Staff
- Local Authority
- Community
- Foundation
- Partnership
- Sponsor
How do governing bodies work?
Governing bodies must act as a corporate body. They must act with integrity, objectivity and honesty and in the best interests of the school. They must be open about, and prepared to explain, their decisions and actions.
The size of the governing body can range from 9 to 20 (this can vary for voluntary aided schools). Each governing body can adopt the most suitable model within certain guiding principles.
The governing body should carry out their functions with the aim of taking a largely strategic role in the running of the school.
The governing body will:
- promote high standards of educational attainment
- set targets for pupil achievement
- take general responsibility for the conduct of the school
- manage the school's budget, including deciding how many staff will work there and their pay
- make sure that the curriculum is balanced and broadly based
- participate in the appointment of senior staff (including appointing the headteacher)
National Governors’ Association’s Code of Practice for School Governors 2010/11
The NGA code of practice is a comprehensive guide for effective governance. It is endorsed by the Leadership and Governance team at NCC and we encourage your governing body to adopt this code of practice.
We recommend that this is discussed at your next full governing body meeting as an agenda item. If it is adopted, the governors should be asked to review it and sign it on an annual basis at the beginning of each autumn term.
A copy of this code will also be sent to all new and re-appointed governors.
Role of the Headteacher
The headteacher is responsible for the internal organisation, management and control of the school; and for advising on and implementing the governing body’s strategic framework.
In particular, headteachers need to formulate aims and objectives, policies and targets for the governing body to consider adopting; and to report to the governing body on progress at least once every school year.