Glossary

Governor Roles and Responsibilities – Glossary

Governors have responsibility for raising school standards through their three key roles of setting strategic direction, ensuring accountability and acting as a critical friend. In Voluntary Aided schools, they are the employer of the workforce within the school. 

Foundation GovernorAppointed by the Diocese
Parent GovernorsElected by the parents of the school
Staff GovernorElected by their colleagues in school
Local Authority GovernorNominated by Bolton Council
Chair of GovernorsLeads the governing body; chairs the meetings; elected by the governors
Management & Finance Committee

Responsible for:

  • Reviewing policies linked to staffing
  • Determining staffing structure
  • Monitoring staff training and appraisal procedures
  • Safeguarding, including ensuring that relevant checks are undertaken for staff & volunteers
  • Oversee  staff issues surrounding: Grievance, Disciplinary, Capability, Redundancy, Sickness Absence & Staff Reviews
  • Annual pay review
  • Agree spending
  • Review the school’s performance against the School Financial Value Standard (SFVS)
  • Buildings- including agreeing repairs
  • Health & Safety
Curriculum, Pupil Welfare & Community Committee

Responsible for:

  • National Curriculum
  • RE
  • Collective worship
  • Sex Education
  • Equal opportunities
  • Race equality
  • Assessment
  • Special Educational Needs
  • Monitoring teaching and learning
  • Implementation of school self-evaluation and School Development Plan
  • School website
  • Approval of residential visits
  • Policies regarding pupil health, safety and welfare, behaviour & discipline
  • Looked After Children
  • Attendance
  • Community relationships
  • Stakeholder views
  • Links with secondary schools
Staff Appeals CommitteeHears staff appeals, grievances, disciplinary issues etc.
Complaints CommitteeHears and makes a decision on any complaint at stage 3 of the school’s Complaints Procedure
Pupil Discipline CommitteeExclusions (fixed term & permanent)
Admissions CommitteeConsiders changes to the school’s admissions policy. Determines offers for places in Reception each year and for any ‘in-year’ applications.
Subject GovernorsMeet with subject leaders to monitor standards; report back to the governing body about progress and provision for their particular area (e.g English); ensure subjects are given due consideration regarding budgets.
Partnership GovernorActs as a link between the school and LA; attends meetings of the Primary Partnership Group
Link GovernorKeeps governors informed about current training; identifies training opportunities
Performance Review GovernorsAgree annually the Headteacher’s performance objectives; review performance
Child Protection/Looked After Children/Equal Opportunities GovernorsWork with the Headteacher to ensure that all policies are in place and that provision meets the needs of vulnerable individuals and groups of pupils
Health & Safety GovernorWorks with the site manager to ensure that all health and safety policies, procedures and practice are carried out as required
Safe Recruitment GovernorsTrained in ensuring that all appropriate checks are carried out on new staff and volunteers who will work with children; play a key role in shortlisting and interviewing applicants for new posts
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