Governance

Information for Prospective Governors

The Role of the Governing Body

The purpose of governance is to provide confident, strategic leadership and to create robust accountability, oversight and assurance for educational and financial performance. The governing body has three core functions:

• Ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction;

• Holding executive leaders to account for the educational performance of the organisation and its pupils, and the performance management of staff; 

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

Effective governance is based on six key features:

• Strategic leadership that sets and champions vision, ethos and strategy.

• Accountability that drives up educational standards and financial performance.

• People with the right skills, experience, qualities and capacity.

• Structures that reinforce clearly defined roles and responsibilities.

• Compliance with statutory and contractual requirements.

• Evaluation to monitor and improve the quality and impact of governance.

Composition of the Governing Body

The governing body at Polesden Lacey Infant School is made up of twelve governors who are a mix of elected and appointed governors as follows:

• 6 Co-opted governors appointed by the governing body

• 1 Local Authority governor appointed by the governing body

• 3 Parent governors elected by the parent community

• 1 Staff governor elected by the staff

• Headteacher

In addition, the governing body is supported by Associate Members who provide specific skills and support plus a professional clerk who provides administrative support to the governing body and advice on statutory matters.

What Will be Expected of you

Being a governor requires the commitment of time and involvement in school life and to your own individual professional development. Governors will be expected to make the following commitments:

• The term of office for a governor is four years, although it is possible to resign should your circumstances change.

• Attend all Full Governing Body meetings and where unable to attend, submit apologies and explanation, at least 24 hours in advance, to the clerk to the governing body. Meetings are held twice a term on Tuesday/Wednesday evenings 7:30-9:30pm. Governors are also required to attend two development workshops.

• Get actively involved in the work of the governing body, including taking a lead in a focus area, serving on committees/working groups and making regular visits to the school as required.

• Get to know the school well and respond to opportunities to visit and get involved in school activities.

• Regularly reflect on individual skills and experiences, relevant to governance and how these impact on individual and collective training and development needs of the governing body, accessing appropriate training and development activities that will contribute to effective governance at the school.

• Comply with the statutory requirement to supply information regarding members of the governing body required for the school website.

• Adhere to the governor and school code of conduct.

• Comply with The School Governance (Constitution) (England) Regulations 2012 on Qualifications and Disqualifications.

How do I contact the Governing Body?

You can contact us by emailing the Clerk: clerk@polesdenlaceyinfant.surrey.sch.uk

Or by telephone to the School Office 01372 456533 

Further Information

If you would like to find out more about being a governor please do not hesitate to contact the clerk to the governing body via the school office.

List of Current Governors:

The Governing Body includes representatives from the church, the community, local education authority (LEA), parents and staff. Most serve for a 4 year term. Parent governors are elected by a ballot of parents.

The current membership of the Governing Body is listed below:

Can I see a record of meeting minutes?

Yes! If you wish to discuss anything, have a hard copy or obtain further information please just ask. Please note that papers referred to in the minutes are available on request.