The governing body is the college’s accountable body. It is responsible for the conduct of the college, for promoting high standards and for the fostering and preservation of its Catholic ethos. The governing body aims to ensure that children attending an effective school which provides them with a good education and supports their well being. Over the past decade, the responsibilities of the governing body has grown; and the ‘Every Child Matters’ agenda has meant that we are now accountable for young people’s health and well being in the community and for a wide range of extended services provision.

The Governing Body:

  • Sets the strategic direction of the college by:
    • Setting the values, aims and objectives for the college, in keeping with its Catholic ethos
    • Agreeing the policy framework for achieving those aims and objectives
    • Setting statutory targets
    • Agreeing the school improvement strategy which includes approving the budget
    • and agreeing the staffing structure
  • Challenges and supports the college by monitoring reviewing and evaluating:
    • The implementation and effectiveness of the policy framework
    • Progress made towards targets
    • The implementation and effectiveness of the school improvement strategy
    • The budget and staffing structure
  • Ensure accountability by:
    • Approving the college’s Self Evaluation Form
    • Responding to the School Improvement Partner and Ofsted reports when necessary
    • Holding the Head Teacher to account for the performance of the college
    • Ensuring parents and pupils are involved, consulted and informed as appropriate
    • Making available information to the community

For the Governing body to carry out its role effectively, governors must be:

  • Prepared and equipped to take their responsibilities seriously;
  • Acknowledged as the accountable body by the lead professionals and Trustees
  • Supported by appropriate authorities in that task; and
  • Monitor and review their own performance.

The role of a Governor:

In law the governing body is a corporate body, which means:

  • no governor can act on her/his own without proper authority from the full governing body;
  • all governors carry equal responsibility for decisions made, and
  • although appointed through different routes the overriding concern of all governors has to be the welfare of the school as a whole.