What duties are School Governors expected to do?
-
To determine the aims and overall conduct of the school with a view to promoting high standards of educational achievement;
-
To be a critical friend of the Head Teacher;
-
To set and review staffing levels and structures;
-
To appoint Head Teachers and Deputy Head Teachers;
-
To set and agree school budgets;
-
Ensure policies are set and adhered to;
-
Monitor Health and Safety and management of the premises.
What training and support do Gateshead Governors Services Offer?
-
A governor development directory is available for each governor;
-
Bespoke school based training;
-
Governor Support Officers, based at Dryden PDC are available to offer advice and support, in person, via email and/or over the telephone;
-
Generic training on relevant governor issues each term;
-
Distance Learning is offered for some courses.
Different categories of governor
Parent governors
Elected by parents to serve on the Governing Body
Staff governors
To include the Head Teacher if they wish to be a governor. Remaining staff (both teaching and non-teaching are represented) governors are elected by
other members of staff at the school via elections.
LEA governors
Local Education Authority ( LEA ) governors are appointed by the LA . LAs can appoint any eligible person as a LEA governor.
Community governors
Appointed by the Governing Body to represent community interests. They can be persons who live or work in the community served by the school, or persons who do not work or live close by, but are committed to the good governance and success of the school.
Foundation governors
Appointed by the school’s founding body, church or other organisation named in the school’s instrument of government.
Sponsor governors
Appointed by the governing body. They can be persons who give substantial assistance to the school.
Associate Members
Are not governors and do not appear on the Instrument of Government. The definition of an Associate member is wide and people who wish to contribute an area of expertise can be appointed as Associate members at the governors discretion.