GOVERNOR SERVICES

Code of Practice for School Governors

This code sets out the expectations on and commitment required from school governors and

trustees in order for the governing board to properly carry out its work within the school and the

community. It can be amended to include specific reference to the ethos of the particular school.

‘School’ includes academies, and it applies to all level of school governance.

The governing board has the following core strategic functions:

Establishing the strategic direction, by:

- Setting the vision, values, and objectives for the school

- Agreeing the school improvement strategy with priorities and targets

- Meeting statutory duties

Ensuring accountability, by:

- Appointing the headteacher

- Monitoring progress towards targets

- Performance managing the headteacher

- Engaging with stakeholders

- Contributing to school self-evaluation

Ensuring financial probity, by:

- Setting the budget

- Monitoring spending against the budget

- Ensuring value for money is obtained

- Ensuring risks to the organisation are managed

As individuals on the board we agree to the following:

Role & Responsibilities

 We understand the purpose of the board and the role of the headteacher.

 We accept that we have no legal authority to act individually, except when the board has given

us delegated authority to do so, and therefore we will only speak on behalf of the governing

board when we have been specifically authorised to do so.

 We accept collective responsibility for all decisions made by the board or its delegated agents.

This means that we will not speak against majority decisions outside the governing board

meeting.

 We have a duty to act fairly and without prejudice, and in so far as we have responsibility for

staff, we will fulfil all that is expected of a good employer.

 We will encourage open government and will act appropriately.

 We will consider carefully how our decisions may affect the community and other schools.