Contact Chair of Governors
Email: gareth.scott@st-teresas-ashford.kcsp.org.uk
Address: Mr Gareth Scott, St.Teresa's Catholic Primary School Academy, Quantock Drive, Ashford, TN248QN
What is the role of the Governors?
The Governors’ Handbook, published by the Department for Education (DfE), outlines the role of the governing body.
The handbook says governing bodies in maintained schools “should have a strong focus” on the three core strategic functions. These are:
Ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction
Section 1.3 of the Governors' Handbook says it is the governors’ job to:
... set the school’s strategic framework and to ensure all statutory duties are met.
It adds that governing bodies should have robust strategies in place for achieving their visions. These strategies should address the following questions:
Holding the headteacher to account
The governing body is also responsible for appointing the headteacher and holding him/her to account.
According to paragraph 1.4.2 of the handbook, “governing bodies hold their headteacher and other senior leaders to account for improving school performance by asking the right questions”. Suggested questions include:
The handbook adds:
A governing body must have good, timely data if it is to know the questions it needs to ask ... and answer any questions asked of the governing body itself.
This document explains that governors should refer to:
In addition, governors can visit the school to find out whether its strategic vision is being achieved.
Overseeing financial performance
The Governors' Handbook says governors can fulfil their obligation to ensure that the school’s money is well spent by having at least one governor with “specific, relevant skills and experience of financial matters”, and by asking questions such as: