The New Teachers Times - Flipbook - Page 23
The Governing Board sets aims and
objectives for the school. They also
create policies and targets for
achieving those aims and will monitor
and evaluate how the school is doing
against these objectives. Governors
support and challenge the
Headteacher and leadership team.
Often described as ‘critical friends’, at
the National Learning Trust we
encourage governors to consider
themselves ‘joint problem solvers’ with
the executive leadership team of the
school, both acting together in the best
interests of the children and the
whole school community.
Governing Boards need a balance of
knowledge, skills and experience to be
effective. There is also a requirement
for great enthusiasm and commitment
to acting in the best interest of all
pupils. Governors will meet regularly
as a whole board but will also meet in
committees to discuss particular issues,
challenges or areas of the boards work.
Governors need to get to know their
school well. This includes visiting
occasionally during school hours,
getting to know the staff and gaining a
good understanding of the
school’s strengths and
'a balance of
weaknesses. Governors
knowledge, skills
Every Governing Board
have a wide range of
consists of varying types
and experience' responsibilities relating to
of specific categories of
staff in a school. This
governor depending on the type
includes ensuring that
and size of the school. These include:
there are appropriate
policies related to staffing and
Parent Governors
employment law. They also have
Staff Governors
oversight of staffing structures and
Co-opted Governors
performance management processes.
LEA Governors (in the case of
Maintained Schools)
Foundation Governors
Trust Appointed Governors (in the
case of MATs and Local Governing
Boards)
The Headteacher
Associate Members
Governing Boards have statutory
requirements in relation to NQTs.
They must ensure that their school has
the capacity to support NQTs and that
the Headteacher is fulfilling their
responsibility to meet the NQT
Induction requirements.
Written by Gwyneth Langley in the Governor Services Team, National Learning Trust