School Governing Bodies are responsible for working with the school to ensure that it delivers an outstanding quality education.

The role of the Governing Body is also to safeguard the public interest in the school and to ensure that those who are directly responsible for day-to-day management (the Head Teacher and Senior Leaders) are accountable for decisions and actions taken. The Governors play an important role in overseeing the maintenance and improvement of standards of achievement in the school. It is a strategic role and does not get involved in the day-to-day running of the school, which is the role of the headteacher and staff team.

The key roles of the Governors are:

• To ensure clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction
• To hold the Head Teacher/Senior Leadership Team 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 In addition, there are other duties:
• 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
• Setting standards for pupils’ behaviour and discipline
• Making sure school buildings are welcoming and safe
• Setting and monitoring the school’s aims and policies

Time Commitment

Governance is very rewarding, but prospective governors must be aware that there is a time commitment to this voluntary role. There will be at least one committee and one full governor meeting a term; these will usually start at 6 p.m. and last approximately 2 hours. As well as the meetings governors are expected to undertake monitoring activities during school time such as walking the site to carry out a health and safety audit or meeting with a key member of staff to discuss an aspect of the School Development Plan.

Do’s and Don’ts

Governors are involved in setting and maintaining the strategic direction of the school. They must take a whole school perspective acting in the best interests of the whole school, not their own child or child’s class. If parents approach them with niggles or issues they must direct them to the class teacher or head teacher as it is not part of their remit to get involved with the day-to-day running of the school.

Chair of Governors - Mrs Amanda Long

Below you can find;

• List of Governors 2023-2024

• Governors Attendance at Meetings 2023-24 (to 9^th May 2024)

• Governors Declarations of Interests as of 9^th May 2024

We are happy to share the full Governing Board meeting minutes upon request. If you wish to have a copy, please email the school office (office@pottonprimary.co.uk.)