School governing bodies are responsible for working with the school to ensure that it delivers a good quality education. Together with the headteacher, who is responsible for day-to-day management, they set the school's aims and policies.
What do governors do?
Governors have several key roles:
to ensure clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction
to hold the headteacher to account for the educational performance of the school and its pupils, and the performance management of staff
to oversee the financial performance of the school and make sure its money is well spent.
They also carry out a number of other important duties, which include:
determining how the school's budget is spent;
the appointing and dismissing of staff;
hearing appeals and grievances;
forming policy on the school's curriculum and collective worship;
setting standards for pupils' behaviour and discipline;
making sure school buildings are welcoming and safe;
setting and monitoring the school's aims and policies.