Governors

“Governors are committed to helping the school improve. They access appropriate training to ensure that they have the skills required to understand and carry out their statutory duties.”

“Governors’ minutes are of a high quality and reflect a strong focus on ensuring that children and pupils are safe and well cared for.” (Ofsted 2018)

The Role of the Governing Body

Who are we?

There are currently nine full governors who make up the Governing Body, plus one associate governor. One is a parent, three are members of staff, one is a Local Authority governor (Hertfordshire County Council) and five are Community governors (co-opted). The full Governing Body meets at least once per term, to receive reports from the two sub-committees and to oversee Safeguarding and Financial matters. Full Governing Body meetings are currently face-to-face meetings, held at the school.

All governors are also members of the two sub-committees that have been set up to plan, monitor and evaluate the work of the school. One sub-committee oversees Curriculum and Quality, looking at the curriculum intent, implementation and outcomes. The other sub-committee oversees Operations and Safety, looking at Health and Safety, Premises, Staffing. The sub-committee meetings are currently remote meetings.

There is also a Steering Group that oversees the work of the governing body, made up of the Chair of Governors, the Vice Chair, the Headteacher and one other. The role of the Steering Committee is to set objectives for the Governing Body each year, to review outcomes from the previous year, and to guide the work of the two sub-committees

When Do We Meet?

Governors meet once or twice each term, in the evening, usually on a Monday. Each meeting lasts about two hours. The two sub-committees also meet once or twice a term, with each meeting lasting around one hour.

What do we do?

The Governing Body is responsible for overseeing the work of the school and ensuring that everything is done properly.

We act as a “critical friend” to the Headteacher, reviewing what has been achieved and helping to plan for the future.

We approve the school’s curriculum and set the vision, ethos and strategic direction for the school.

We oversee the financial decisions of the school, ensuring the school’s income is well spent. We approve and monitor the school’s annual budget plans.

We oversee the school’s safeguarding arrangements.

We take an active role in virtually all appointments of new staff, to ensure that we have the best people possible to work with the pupils.

We investigate complaints against the school.

In addition, governors visit the school regularly to observe all aspects of the school’s work.

How can you become a Governor?

Initially, you can respond to an announcement in the school newsletter that there is a vacancy. The LEA Governor is nominated by Herts County Council, the parents in the school vote for the Parent Governors and the Governing Body appoints the Community/Co-opted Governors and any associate governors. The Staff body elect the Staff Governor.

Each governor is appointed for four years, initially, but can be re-elected or co-opted. If you are interested in the idea of becoming a governor, you can contact the Headteacher or Chair of Governors to discuss things further.

There are currently vacancies for parent governors.

List of Governors