What a Governing Body Does

Part of a school governing body's responsibilities are to:

• promote high standards of educational attainment
• agree the School Improvement Plan
• set an annual budget detailing planned spending
• approve a staffing structure
• make sure that the curriculum is balanced and broadly based, in particular that the National Curriculum and Religious Education are taught, and report on pupils' achievement in National Curriculum assessments and examination results
• draw up an action plan following an Ofsted (Office for Standards in Education) report
• produce policies on a number of issues including Sex Education, S.E.N
• appoint staff, ensuring the implementation of a range of personnel procedures
• secure high levels of attendance and good standards of pupil behaviour
• ensure the health & safety of pupils and staff
• develop the strategic plan for the school, acting as a critical friend and ensuring accountability
• deal with complaints against the school

Basically, governors work in partnership with the headteacher and staff and oversee the work of the school to make sure that it provides a good quality education for its pupils.