The role of the Governing Body

In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, every state school has a governing body, consisting of specified numbers of various categories of governors depending on the type and size of the school.

The role of the governing body is to provide strategic management, and to act as a "critical friend", supporting the work of the headteacher and other staff.

Governors have a role in monitoring the school's progress, and in setting annual targets for the school's performance and for the headteacher.

The school has a delegated budget to cover salaries, running costs, maintenance and equipment. The governing body is responsible for managing this budget. They can decide how many and what types of staff to employ, which equipment to upgrade or replace and what the priorities are for implementing new strategies and initiatives.

Most governing bodies use a committee structure to undertake their monitoring and evaluation roles.  Membership and terms of reference of committees must be determined annually.  At Hangleton Juniors, we have the following Committees;

Finance

Staffing

Pupils and Learning

Facilities and Health & Safety

There is also a Steering Committee that meets termly and is made up of the Head Teacher, Chair of Governors, Vice Chair of Governors and Chairs of each of the other Committees.

In addition to these committees, there are two further groups that are represented by various  Governors that meet as and when required;

Pupils Discipline Panel

Pay and Pay Review Committee