Governors: Role and Functions
The Governing Body
Our Governing Body is composed of a maximum of 13 governors:
- Four parent governors, elected by the parents of the school
- One Local authority governor, appointed by Milton Keynes Council
- One staff governor, elected by the staff of the school
- The headteacher, ex officio
- Six co-opted governors, appointed by the Governing Body
We are also able to appoint Associate Governors, who attend Governing Body meetings, but do not vote.
We have three main functions:
- we set the vision and strategic direction of the school;
- we hold the headteacher to account for its educational performance;
- we ensure that the school’s money is well spent.
The Committees
More detailed business is conducted by two committees, and every governor is a member of one of these committees:
Finance, Staffing and Premises Committee
Chaired by Mr Will Swann, is responsible for overseeing:
- the financial management of the school;
- the development, management and performance of staff;
- the development and management of the school’s premises and equipment.
Teaching, Learning and Standards Committee
Chaired by Mr Mat Smith, is responsible for overseeing:
- the progress and achievement of the children;
- the behavior and attendance of the children;
- the quality of teaching in school and its impact on children’s progress and achievement;
- the relationships between the school and its stakeholders, especially parents;
- the public information we provide about the school.
We also have four committees that only meet when required, and which do not have fixed membership. Any governor may act as a member of one of these committees:
Complaints Committee
Considers any complaints referred to it under the school’s Complaints Policy.
Hearings Committee
Considers any issue referred to it under the school’s policies concerning staff grievance, discipline, capability or redundancy.
Appeals Committee
Considers any appeals by members of staff against decisions by the Headteacher or the Finance, Staffing and Premises Committee that are referred to it.
Pupil Discipline Committee
Considers any decision by the Headteacher to exclude pupils and decides whether or not to uphold it.
National Governors' Association
The governing body has considerable discretion as to how to discharge its responsibilities but is required to constitute itself in line with the regulations and to appoint a chair and vice chair. The governing body may delegate certain of its responsibilities to certain governors or committees of governors, although in general, it is not compelled to do so.
Further information and reading can be found on the National Governors' Association website.
Falconhurst School