The Composition of our Governing Body

 

Welcome to our Governors' section. At Grayshott CE Primary School we have:

 

• The Headteacher
• One Staff Governor
• Three Parent Governors
• One Local Authority Governor
• Three Foundation Governors
• Six Co-opted Governors

 

Meetings

Our Governors usually meet as a Governing Body once per half term. This is the meeting where all major decisions are made. Very occasionally we have an extraordinary meeting. Our meetings start at 7.00pm and are usually on a weekday evening at the school. They generally last approximately 2 hours, but this depends on the agenda and the matters which need to be discussed.

 

Roles within the Governing Body

• The Chair - The Chair is elected by the Governing Body. Anyone who works at the school can not take the role of Chair. The Chair leads the Governor’s Meeting and carries out particular tasks, such as signing off the school budget.

 

• The Vice-Chair - The Vice-Chair supports the Chair and he or she may be delegated specific tasks.

 

Committees

Governing Bodies use a committee structure to ensure that their role and responsibilities are carried out efficiently. All Governors belong to at least one committee and sometimes more than one. At Grayshott CE Primary School, we have the following committees:

 

• Finance & General Purpose - This committee sets the annual budget, monitors costs and authorises or recommends any major items of expenditure. It is also concerned with the maintenance and safety of the school buildings and grounds. It usually meets once per half term, although the in the first half term of the Spring term, only meets if there are preliminary budget issues that need to be discussed.

 

• Curriculum & Standards - This committee deals with curriculum matters and policies, the School Improvement Plan, assessment data and curriculum development and monitoring. It also meets once a term.

 

• Pay - This committee meets as and when it is needed, usually once or twice in the Autumn term. It looks at areas such as staff pay recommendations following performance management reviews.

 

We also have committees for Appeals, Teacher Discipline and Headteacher Performance Management.

 

Particular committees can be given delegated powers to make decisions which do not then need the approval of the full Governing Body. Committee meetings are formal meetings and they are required to have defined duties, with minutes taken and decisions recorded. The Terms of Reference set out the duties allocated to each committee. Committee meetings usually last between one and two hours.

 

Working Groups

Sometimes it may be necessary for Governors to form a working party to investigate a particular initiative or issue. These are likely to be temporary and to run only as long as they are needed for.

 

Subject and Class Governors

Governors may be allocated to different classes and subjects. This means that they take a special interest in the area allocated to and if a class Governor, may go and help in the classroom or accompany the class on educational visits. If allocated to a subject, the Governor will be expected to work with the subject co-ordinator so that they become aware of the strengths and weaknesses and are knowledgeable about any relevant assessment data.

 

The Clerk

The Governing Body is supported by the Clerk. Although the Clerk is not entitled to vote, they are considered to be an integral part of the Governing Body. They provide advice and updates on the administrative structure and regulations and help the Governors to interpret the latter. The Clerk also prepares and distributes the minutes and agendas and deals with any correspondence.

 

What being a School Governor means

• Acting corporately, making decisions with the whole of the governing board, thinking strategically, ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and aims of the school'

• Being a critical friend to the Headteacher by challenging and support them in their role.

• Being accountable for the school finances, making sure its money is well spent.

• Having an area of responsibility which maybe a subject or an area such as safeguarding, special education needs, sport funding etc.

• It is a really rewarding role if you enjoy working as a team and strategically.

• It is not about the operation of the school on a day to day basis nor acting as an individual.