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.