The governing board is the school's accountable body. It is responsible for the conduct of the school and for promoting high standards. The governing board aims to ensure that children are attending a successful school which provides them with a good education and supports their well-being.

The governing board:

• Sets the strategic direction of the school by:
  • Setting the values, aims and objectives for the school
  • Agreeing the policy framework for achieving those aims and objectives
  • Setting targets
  • Agreeing the school improvement strategy which includes approving the budget and agreeing the staffing structure 

• Challenges and supports the school by monitoring, reviewing and evaluating:
  • The implementation and effectiveness of the policy framework
  • Progress towards targets
  • The implementation and effectiveness of the school improvement strategy
  • The budget and the staffing structure

• Ensures accountability by:
  • Signing off the school’s own self-evaluation report
  • Responding to Ofsted reports when necessary
  • Holding the headteacher to account for the performance of the school
  • Ensuring parents and pupils are involved, consulted and informed as appropriate
  • Making available information to the community

• Appoints and performance manages the headteacher who will deliver the aims (through the day to day management of the school, implementation of the agreed policy framework and school improvement strategy, and delivery of the curriculum) and report appropriately to the governing board.

For governing boards to carry out their role effectively, governors must be:

• Prepared and equipped to take their responsibilities seriously
• Acknowledged as the accountable board by the lead professionals
• Supported by the appropriate authorities in that task
• Willing and able to monitor and review their own performance

Diversity
The governors believe it is important that boards reflect the diversity of the school communities they serve. Diverse boards promote inclusive school environments and provide diverse role models for staff and young people.

The governors are currently considering the information to collect on the diversity of the board and how that will be used to inform their recruitment and training needs and ensure there is always a diverse range of perspectives around the table to support robust decision-making.