Schools have governing bodies to help them support and challenge (as a critical friend) the headteacher, teachers and other staff at their school in providing the best possible education for their pupils. Their role is a strategic one. They do not manage the school on a day-to-day basis but help set the overall direction and agree appropriate targets for the pupils to achieve. They monitor and evaluate improvements that have been planned and report to parents and other stakeholders.
Much governor work falls into a number of different categories, some of which is often delegated to comittees or working groups to take forward.
Curriculum and Assessment
Governors must make sure that the curriculum for their school is balanced and broadly based in promoting the spiritual, moral, cultural, mental and physical development of its pupils. They must ensure that the National Curriculum and its assessment procedures are carried out in full. To do this they must agree a curriculum policy for the school that sets out the principles underpinning the curriculum and should monitor and review how it is carried out. The policy should include decisions about the provision of sex education and take into account any statutory requirements relating to religious education for the school.
The government requires schools to set targets for pupils in years 1, 5, 8 and 10. Governing bodies will need to examine any targets proposed by the headteacher. This is a task which can be delegated to an appropriate committee but all governors should be informed about the process and the targets that are finally agreed.
Finance
Schools receive their annual budget allocation (delegated budget) from the Local Authority, which obtains much of its funding from central government with the remainder coming from the local community through the council tax. The governing body of every school with a delegated budget has powers to organise how this is spent. Governors need to monitor their school's finances regularly to keep within budget and must make sure they are properly audited. The Annual Report to Parents must contain a report on finance.
Premises
The governing body controls the use of the school premises both during and outside the school day and should consider making them available to the local community outside school hours. They must take reasonable steps to make sure that the buildings, equipment and materials are safe and do not put people's health at risk whilst they are on the premises. The Annual Report to Parents must include an item on school security.
Pupils
The governing body is responsible for school admissions in foundation and voluntary aided schools. In community and voluntary controlled schools, the Local Authority is responsible for school admissions, unless it has delegated responsibility to the governing body with their agreement. The governing body must not discriminate against a child on grounds of sex or race when deciding whether to admit him or her to the school, or in the terms on which he/she is offered a place. However, single-sex schools can remain single-sex. The governing body must must keep an admissions and attendance register and tell the Local Authority about pupils who do not attend regularly or are absent for long periods.
The governing body decides on the general principles of its school's discipline policy but must follow government guidance on when and how pupils may be excluded and any appeals against this. Governing bodies are also responsible for deciding whether their school should have a uniform policy, and if so, what it should consist of.
Governing bodies have important responsibilities towards children with special needs, whether or not they have a statement. They must have a Special Educational Needs Policy and include in the Annual Report to Parents a note on how it is being carried out.
Schools should have a designated senior teacher with responsibility for child protection together with a nominated governor, who is responsible for liaising with the headteacher/designated teacher over child protection issues.
Staff
Governors are often involved in the appointment of school staff, particularly at senior level, where they form part of a panel. The governing body must not discriminate against an applicant for a post, or against an existing member of staff, on grounds of sex, race, marital status or disability. This applies to matters such as: recruitment procedures and selection standards; conditions of employment; opportunities for promotion, transfer, training or other benefits; discipline and grievance procedures; and dismissals.
Governing bodies play a role in the performance management system that appraises the work of the teaching staff and leadership of the school. They help establish a performance management policy and review the performance of the headteacher.