What does a Governing Body do?

There are 3 core functions of a Governing Body:

• • • Ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction

    • Holding headteachers to account for the educational performance of the school and its pupils, and the effective and efficient performance management of staff

    • Overseeing financial performance of the school and making sure its money is well spent

The role of a governor is largely a thinking and questioning role, not a doing role. Governors must maintain a strategic view, and not get involved in the day-to-day management and operational responsibilities within the school. The headteacher is responsible for the internal organisation, management and control of the school, and the implementation of the strategic framework established by the governing body.

The simple answer to this is that it supports the work of the school. It provides a different perspective from that of the staff and can help the school to plan for the future and to monitor that it is doing what it says it is doing. It also helps to evaluate the effectiveness of the school’s activities. In short, it acts as a critical friend. 

What the governing body does not do is to get involved with the day-to-day running of the school. You must be clear that this is the responsibility of the Headteacher. Although members of the governing body may have skills that they can use to support the school, e.g. in finance or health and safety, it is important to remember not to tell the staff how to do their jobs. Although we probably all have an idea of what makes a good teacher, governors do not get involved in making judgements about teachers. The governing body’s role is to ensure that there are arrangements in place for a headteacher and senior staff to monitor how staff are performing.