Fulfilling children's potential

GOVERNORS DRAFT

CONSTITUTION OF GOVERNING BODIES
The size of the governing body of a community school ranges from a minimum of nine to a maximum of 20. (N.B. whilst the maximum size of a governing body is 20, the governing body of a primary school can appoint one or two sponsor governors. These do not count towards the maximum size.)
Within this range, each governing body can adopt the model of their choice, provided it complies with the guiding principles.

THE GUIDING PRINCIPLES
The guiding principles prescribe which categories of governor must be represented on the governing body and what the level of representation is for each of the categories. There are four compulsory stakeholder groups for community schools. Sponsor governors form an optional group. The proportion of places on the governing body that must be reserved for the different categories is as follows:-

CATEGORY OF GOVERNOR
PARENT At least one- third
STAFF At least two, but no more than one-third, including the Headteacher
LEA One-fifth
COMMUNITY At least one-fifth

THE GOVERNING BODY
To view the current Governing Body, their positions held and involvement on committees click on the link "THE GOVERNING BODY" at the bottom of the page Governors can be contacted in writing via the Clerk to Governors at the school address.

INSTRUMENT OF GOVERNMENT
The instrument of government is the document that records the name of the school and the constitution of its governing body. The governing body drafts the instrument and submits it to the LA. The LA must check if the draft instrument complies with the statutory requirements, including the relevant guiding principles for the constitution of governing bodies. If the instrument complies with the legal requirements the LA will make the instrument. The governing body and LA can review and change the instrument at any time.

TERM OF OFFICE
The maximum term of office for all categories of governor is four years, but the governing body can decide to set a shorter term of office for one or more categories of governor. This does not apply to the Headteacher or to any additional governors appointed by the LA or the Secretary of State for Education and Skills. If the term of office for a particular category of governor is to be shorter than four years this has to be recorded in the instrument of government. The term of office cannot be shorter than one year and cannot be varied for individual governors. Any governor may at any time resign by giving written notice to the clerk. Back to top

CATAGORIES OF GOVERNOR

CATAGORIES OF GOVERNOR
PARENT GOVERNORS
Parents (including carers) of registered pupils at the school are eligible to stand for election for parent governorship at the school. Parent governors are elected by other parents at the school. If insufficient parents stand for election the governing body can appoint parent governors.
Schools must make every reasonable effort to fill parent governor vacancies through elections. Only if insufficient parents stand for election can the governing body appoint:
* a parent of a registered pupil at the school, or if that is not possible;
* a parent of a former pupil at the school, or if that is not possible;
* a parent of a child of or under compulsory school age.
A person is disqualified from election or appointment as a parent governor of a school if they are an elected member of the LA, or if they work at the school for more than 500 hours (i.e. for more than one-third of the hours of a full-time equivalent) in a school year (at the time of election or appointment).

STAFF GOVERNORS
Both teaching and support staff paid to work at the school are eligible for staff governorship. Staff governors are elected by the school staff and must be paid to work at the school; volunteers are ineligible. Any election that is contested must be held by ballot.
At least one staff governor (in addition to the Headteacher) must be a teacher, but if no teacher stands for election, a member of the support staff can be elected to take that place. If a governing body has three or more staff governor places, at least one staff governor must be a member of the support staff, but if no member of the support staff stands for election, a teacher can be elected to take that place.
The Headteacher is a member of the governing body by virtue of their office and counts as a member of the staff category. If the Headteacher decides not to be a governor they must inform the clerk of that decision in writing. The Headteachers place remains reserved for them and cannot be taken by anyone else.
School staff that are eligible for election as staff governors (i.e. who are paid to work at the school) are not eligible to serve as LEA governors or community governors at their school. If they are paid to work at the school for more than 500 hours in a school year they are not eligible for election or appointment as parent governors. However, staff can vote in parent governor elections if they are parents. They can also be governors at other schools. Their employment status will not affect their qualification for governorships in these categories at another school.

LOCAL EDUCATION AUTHORITY (LEA) GOVERNORS
Local Education Authority (LEA) governors are appointed by the LA. LAs can appoint any eligible person as an LEA governor. A person is disqualified from appointment as an LEA governor if they are eligible to be a staff governor of the school.

COMMUNITY GOVERNORS
Community governors are appointed by the governing body to represent community interests. Community governors can be persons who live or work in the community served by the school, or persons who do not work or live close to the school, but are committed to the good governance and success of the school.
A person is disqualified from appointment as a community governor if they are eligible to be a staff governor at the school, or an elected member of the LA to which the school belongs.

PARTNERSHIP GOVERNORS
Partnership governors are appointed by the governing body after a nominations process. The governing body must ask parents of registered pupils at the school and such others in the community as it considers appropriate (for example staff, community organisations and other local bodies) to provide nominations for partnership governors.
Parents, staff eligible to be staff governors, elected members of the LA and those employed by the LA in connection with education functions are not eligible to be partnership governors.

SPONSOR GOVERNORS
Sponsor governors are appointed by the governing body. It is at the governing body?s discretion whether they choose to appoint sponsor governors or not. If the governing body wants to appoint one or more sponsor governors it must seek nominations from the sponsor(s).
The sponsor can be persons who give substantial assistance to the school, financially or in kind, or who provide services to the school. The governing body can appoint a maximum of two persons as sponsor governors.

ASSOCIATE MEMBERS
The governing body can appoint associate members to serve on one or more governing body committees and attend full governing body meetings. The definition of associate member is wide and pupils, school staff and people who want to contribute specifically on issues related to their area of expertise (for instance finance) can be appointed as associate members.
Associate members are appointed as members of any committees established by the governing body. They are appointed for a period of between one and four years and can be reappointed at the end of their term of office. Associate members are not governors and they are not recorded in the instrument.

CLERK TO THE GOVERNORS
Appointment of the clerk to the governing body
The governing body must appoint a clerk to the governing body. Governors, associate members and the Headteacher of the school cannot be appointed as clerk to the governing body.
If the clerk does not attend a meeting, the governors present at the meeting can appoint a member of the governing body (but not the Headteacher) to act as clerk for that meeting.

Role of the Clerk
The clerk needs to work effectively with the chair of governors, the other governors and the Headteacher to support the governing body. The clerk should be able to advise the governing body on constitutional and procedural matters, duties and powers. The clerk is accountable to the governing body.

Functions of the clerk
It is the responsibility of the clerk of the governing body to:
* convene meetings of the governing body;
* attend meetings of the governing body and ensure minutes are taken;
* maintain a register of members of the governing body and report vacancies to the governing body;
* maintain a register of attendance and report this to the governing body;
* give and receive notices in accordance with relevant Regulations;
* perform such other functions as may be determined by the governing body from time to time. Back to top

STATUS OF THE GOVERNING BODY

STATUS OF THE GOVERNING BODY
The governing bodies of community schools are corporate bodies. A corporate body has a legal identity separate from that of its members.
As a corporate body, the governing body must have a seal to validate some documents, for example deeds. Legal stationers can give advice on the type needed as well as the cost. When the seal is used, the chair and another governor who has been duly authorised by the governing body should also sign the document to validate the seal.
Because it is a corporate body, individual governors are generally protected from personal liability as a result of the governing body?s decisions and actions. Provided they act honestly, reasonably and in good faith, any liability will fall on the governing body even if it has exceeded its powers, rather than on individual members.
Individual governors have no power or right to act on behalf of the governing body, except where the whole governing body has delegated a specific function to that individual, or where Regulations specify that a function is to be exercised in a particular way. The governing body is legally liable for all actions taken in its name by individuals or committees to which it has delegated functions. The governing body should therefore ensure that decisions to delegate specific responsibilities are properly minuted and recorded.

ELECTION OF OFFICERS
Election of the chair and vice-chair
The governing body must elect a chair and a vice-chair. There are no Regulations prescribing the election process as it is believed that governing bodies are best placed to decide how to organise this, but those standing for election should withdraw from the meeting when a vote is taken. Governors who are paid to work at the school, for instance the Headteacher and staff governors, and pupils at the school, cannot be elected as chair or vice-chair. The chair and vice-chair can resign at any time by giving notice in writing to the clerk.

Term of office of the chair and vice-chair
The governing body decides on the chair and vice-chair?s term of office before the election. The minimum term of office is one year and the maximum period is four years. If a governor is elected chair or vice-chair and their term of office as a governor is shorter than the term of office determined for the office of the vice-chair or chair, then the vice-chair or chair?s term of office ends when the governor?s term of office ends.
When the office of chair or vice-chair becomes vacant, the governing body must elect a new chair or vice-chair at the next meeting. If the chair is absent from a meeting, or if the office of chair is vacant, the vice-chair will act as chair for all purposes.
Delegation of functions to the chair and vice-chair in cases of urgency
The chair or vice-chair has the power to carry out functions of the governing body if a delay in exercising a function is likely to be seriously detrimental to the interests of the school, a pupil at the school or their parents, or a person who works at the school. This power excludes matters related to the alteration and closure of schools, change of school category, approval of the budget, discipline policies and admissions. Any action taken under this power must be reported to the governing body. Back to top

GOVERNING BODY MEETINGS

GOVERNING BODY MEETINGS
The governing body is best placed to decide how often and for how long they need to meet in order to perform their functions effectively. However, each governing body must hold at least three meetings per school year. Many governing bodies meet more often and this is for the governing body to decide.
Meetings are convened by the clerk who takes directions from the governing body and the chair. Any three members of the governing body can request a governing body meeting by giving written notice to the clerk that summarises the business to be conducted. The clerk must convene a meeting as soon as is practicable.
The clerk must give each governor, associate member and the Headteacher (if not a governor) written notice of a meeting, a copy of the agenda and any papers to be considered at the meeting at least seven days before the meeting. If the chair considers that there are matters that demand urgent consideration, he or she can determine a shorter period of notice, but the period of notice must be at least seven days if matters include the removal of the chair, the suspension of any governor, or a proposal to close the school is to be considered.

RIGHT TO ATTEND GOVERNING BODY MEETINGS
Governors, associate members, the Headteacher and the clerk have the right to attend governing body meetings. In addition, the governing body can allow any other person to attend their meetings. Associate members may be excluded from any part of a meeting when the item of business concerns an individual pupil or member of staff.

QUORUM FOR GOVERNING BODY MEETINGS
The quorum for any governing body meeting and vote must be one half (rounded up to a whole number) of the complete membership of the governing body, excluding vacancies. For example, if the full membership is 15 and there are three vacancies, then the quorum for a governing body meeting is six governors (one half of 12).

VOTING
Every question to be decided at a governing body meeting must be determined by a majority of votes of those governors present and voting. If there are an equal number of votes, the chair (or the person acting as chair provided that they are a governor) has a second, or casting vote.
decision to close the school will not have effect unless it is confirmed by a governing body meeting held not less than 28 days after the meeting at which the decision was made. The item has to be an agenda item and seven days? notice has to be given.

MINUTES AND PAPERS
The clerk must ensure that minutes are drawn up, approved by the governing body and are signed by the chair at the next meeting.
Regulation 13 of the Procedures Regulations provide that the governing body must make available for inspection to any interested person, a copy of the agenda, signed minutes and reports or papers considered at the meeting as soon as is reasonably practical. Information relating to a named person or any other matter that the governing body considers confidential does not have to be made available for inspection. From January 2005, the governing body is obliged to make this information available upon request under the Freedom of Information Act 2000, unless any other of the specific exemptions in the Act apply. Therefore, the governing body will only be able to withhold information that constitutes personal data or confidential information, in each case, within the meaning of the Freedom of Information Act (see Guidance for Schools on FOI, available on www.governornet.co.uk).

RIGHT OF PERSONS TO ATTEND MEETINGS OF SUB COMMITTEES
Members of committees, the Headteacher (if not a member of the committee) and the clerk to the committee have the right to attend committee meetings. In addition, the governing body or the committee can allow any other person to attend their meetings. Associate members may be excluded from any part of a committee meeting when the item of business concerns an individual pupil or member of staff.

MEETINGS OF COMMITTEES
Committee meetings are convened by the clerk to the committee who takes directions from the governing body and the chair of the committee.

NOTICE OF COMMITTEE MEETINGS
The clerk must give each governor and associate member who is a member of the committee and the Headteacher (if not a governor) written notice of a meeting, a copy of the agenda and any papers to be considered at the meeting at least seven days before the meeting. If the chair of the committee considers that there are matters that demand urgent consideration he/she can determine a shorter period of notice.

QUORUM
The quorum for any committee meeting and for any vote must be three governors who are members of the committee (or more) as determined by the committee.

VOTING
.Every question to be decided at a committee meeting must be determined by a majority of votes of those governors and associate members present and voting. If there is an equal number of votes, the chair (or the person acting as chair), provided that they are a governor, has a second (or casting) vote. The committee can only vote if the majority of the committee members present are governors.

MINUTES OF COMMITTEE MEETINGS
.Minutes must be drawn up by the clerk and signed by the chair after approval at the next meeting of the committee. The committee must make available for inspection to any interested person a copy of the agenda, signed minutes and reports or papers considered at the meeting as soon as is reasonably practicable. Information relating to a named person or any other matter that the committee considers confidential does not have to be made available for inspection. Back to top

DELEGATION OF RESPONSIBILITY TO COMMITTEES

DELEGATION OF FUNCTIONS
A governing body can delegate any of its statutory functions to a committee, a governor or to the Headteacher, subject to prescribed restrictions. The governing body must review the delegation of functions annually. Each governing body will remain accountable for any decisions taken including those relating to functions delegated to a committee or individual.
Functions that can be delegated to a committee but cannot be delegated to an individual include those that relate to:
* the approval of the first formal budget plan of the financial year;
* school discipline policies;
* the exclusion of pupils (except in an emergency when the chair has the power to exercise these functions);
* admissions.
The governing body cannot delegate any functions relating to:
* the constitution of the governing body (unless otherwise provided by the Constitution
Regulations);
* the appointment or removal of the chair and vice-chair;
* the appointment of the clerk;
* the suspension of governors;
* the delegation of functions;
* the establishment of committees.
Any individual or committee to whom a decision has been delegated must report to the governing body in respect of any action taken or decision made. The governing body can still perform functions it has delegated: this enables the governing body to take decisions on matters that are discussed at meetings on functions that have been delegated. For instance, the governing body can decide to move (?vire?) money from one budget heading to another in light of changing circumstances, even if the function of approving and monitoring the budget has been delegated to a committee.

ESTABLISHMENT OF COMMITTEES
The governing body must determine the membership and proceedings of any committee. The governing body must also review the establishment, terms of reference, constitution and membership of any committee annually. The membership of any committee may include associate members, provided that a majority of members of the committee are governors. Each committee must have a chair, who is either appointed by the governing body or elected by the committee. The governing body may remove the chair of a committee from office at any time.

COMMITTEE STRUCTURE
GOVERNING BODY

GMT FINANCE & PREMISIS STAFFING CURRICULUM

GMT
Structure
Chair of Governors
Chairs of Finance, Staffing and Curriculum committees
Headteacher (if he/she exercises his/her option)
Delegated responsibility
Any specific items delegated by the full Governing Body.
Preparing and drafting for approval by the full Governing Body
the School Development Plan.
Reviewing and redrafting for approval by the full Governing Body the Governors' Policies.
Reviewing, at least bi-termly, the committees? progress with the current School Development Plan and updating the School Evaluation Form accordingly.

FINANCE & PREMISIS
Structure
3 Governors (minimum)
Headteacher (if he/she exercises his/her option)
Delegated responsibility
Planning the budget:
* identifying priorities with reference to school development plan,
* examining recommendations and proposals,
* making recommendations and proposals,
* examining projections of spending.

Monitoring the budget:
* presenting half termly reviews,
* preparing the annual financial statement and reviewing the format of such annually,
* investigating financial irregularities.
Delegated to the Headteacher:
* preparing monthly statements,
* collating information and presenting to committee.

Virement:
* deciding upon major virements in connection with annual allocations,
* deciding upon major virements in response to in-year budget variations,
Delegated to the Headteacher:
* deciding upon minor virements or adjustment of errors, in response to need during course of year to a limit of £1000. Virements over £1000 must be reported to the Finance and Premises committee. The Head Teacher must seek approval from the Chair of the Finance committee for any virements exceeding this sum.

Local Payments System:
* researching/negotiating terms of available accounts,
* deciding on a particular account,
* designating signatories for cheques,
* constructing cash flow forecasts.
Delegated to the Headteacher:
* setting up and operating the account, in accordance with Local Payment Scheme regulations. In addition, cheques to members of staff and or in excess of £1000 must be countersigned by the Chair of Finance.

Tendering arrangements and procedures for obtaining quotes for goods and services:
* making decisions on any expenditure over £500.
Delegated to the Headteacher:
* researching the market, obtaining 3 quotations, if possible, in accordance with Financial and Contract Regulations,
* entering into contracts of less than £500.

Reconciliation of information:
Delegated to the Headteacher:
* checking elements of budget information received from the L.E.A.,
* seeking clarification and initiating enquiries.

Use of and policy on rollover:
* monitoring and identifying areas of overspend/underspend in course of, or at end of, financial year,
* considering implications for budget planning.

Income generation:
* planning and initiating activities,
* incorporating projected income into budget planning.

Condition of site and premises:
* maintaining an overview of the general condition of the whole school site,
* carrying out a condition survey (Asset Management Plan),
* arranging for regular monitoring of the condition of the site and premises and up-dating the original survey.

Repairs and maintenance:
* awarding contracts,
Delegated to the Headteacher:
* investigating needs and making recommendations relating to minor and major repairs
* seeking advice and liaising with L.E.A. on proposals for work to be carried out,
* carrying out maintenance expenditure up to the value of £500.

Lettings
* deciding upon school's lettings policy in relation to L.E.A.'s guidelines and charges,
Delegated to the Headteacher:
* carrying out procedures and collecting income.

Health and Safety
* identifying deficiencies which could affect health and safety of persons in the school,
* identifying to whom falls the responsibility for remedying such defects i.e. school or L.E.A.,
* making recommendations and/or initiating action to resolve the problem.
Delegated to the Headteacher:
* carrying out Health and Safety Inspections and Risk Assessments.

Insurance
* establishing extent of cover provided by L.E.A.,
* researching, recommending, initiating any further cover required.

Planning strategies:
* planning programme of priorities aimed at establishing standards of good practice in achieving acceptable level of repairs and maintenance of school premises,
* formulating long term strategy for phased initiatives aimed at improving general
* standard of school premises e.g. decoration programme.

Register of Pecuniary Interest:
* ensuring that the register of pecuniary interest is reviewed annually.

Updating the School Evaluation Form
* reviewing, at least bi-termly, the committee?s progress with the current School Development Plan and updating the School Evaluation Form accordingly.

STAFFING
Structure
3 Governors (minimum)
Headteacher (if he/she exercises his/her option)
Delegated Responsibility

Deployment:
* deciding staffing levels - number of posts to be filled,
* considering other options as further opportunities arise - creation/deletion of posts.

Recruitment and appointment:
* strategies for presenting school to potential members of staff,
For Head and Deputy appointments:
* drawing up job/person specifications,
* drawing up and placing of advertisements,
* arranging for short listing of candidates and initiating appointments process.
For full-time permanent teaching staff appointments.
* conducting appointments process,
Delegated to the Headteacher:
* drawing up job/person specifications,
* drawing up and placing of advertisements,
* arranging for shortlisting of candidates.
* arranging for carrying out of administrative aspects of appointments procedures,
* arranging for confirmation of selection decisions.
Delegated to the Headteacher and one other member of Staffing Committee:
* short listing and appointing temporary and part-time teaching staff and non-teaching staff.

Induction:
Delegated to the Headteacher:
* deciding on form of induction programme for new members of staff.
Development:
Delegated to the Headteacher:
 deciding on strategies for the continuing development of staff for their own and,
the school's benefit.
Remuneration:
 deciding on a pay policy applying to all members of staff, involving criteria to be used and procedures to be followed.
Staffing Procedures:
The Governing Body has adopted Wiltshire County Council's Staffing procedures. The Staffing committee has the following responsibilities:
 Grievance: Arranging for the setting up of panels and hearing employees' grievances as provided for in the Grievance Procedure.
 Discipline: Arranging for the setting up of panels and conducting disciplinary interviews as provided for in the Disciplinary Procedure.
 Termination of employment: Arranging for the setting up of panels and hearing termination of employment cases as provided for in the Termination of Employment Procedure.
 Capability: Arranging for the setting up of panels and hearing cases of lack of capability.
 Arranging for the notification to the governing body of:
decisions of the above panels in relation to discipline, grievance, termination of employment and appeals; decisions of the Headteacher in relation to discipline, grievance and capability.
 Agreeing any variations to the Staffing procedures.
Supply Cover: Deciding on policy for use of supply cover,
Delegated to the Headteacher:
 decisions on supply cover.
Leave of Absence: Determining a policy for leave of absence of members of staff.
Delegated to the Headteacher:
 decisions on leave of absence.
Performance Management:
 Establishing a Performance Management Policy,
 Implementing the Performance Management Policy,
 Reviewing annually the Performance Management Policy.
Updating the School Evaluation Form
 reviewing, at least bi-termly, the committee?s progress with the current School Development Plan and updating the School Evaluation Form accordingly.

CURRICULUM
Structure
3 Governors
Special Needs Governor
Headteacher (if he/she exercises his/her option)
Delegated Responsibility
National Curriculum:
 monitoring the National Curriculum to ensure it is being followed throughout the school.
 agree or reject and review the curriculum policy:
 consider disapplication for pupil(s).
Delegated to the Head Teacher
 drafting curriculum policy/agree with teaching staff and present to governing body;
 ensure implementation of curriculum policy and that it is taught to all pupils;
 provide advice to governing body on disapplication for any pupil(s).
 responsibility for standards of teaching.

Standards of Achievement:
 Monitoring and reviewing information on pupil performance, including value added and bench marking data.
Target Setting:
 Regularly review available data regarding pupil performance/progress.
Delegated to the Head Teacher
 Provide in Autumn term, achievement targets for pupils at end of KS2 in the following year, targets to be agreed with the LEA.
Special Needs:
 arranging for one member of the Governing Body to have specific responsibility for overseeing the school's provision for children with special educational needs.
Sex Education:
 recommending the school's policy for providing Sex Education for pupils at the school, having due regard to moral considerations and to family life.
Behaviour:
 recommending a policy which will provide a framework within which all members of staff can work to create an acceptable level of behaviour from all members of the school community.
Worship:
 monitor arrangements for ensuring that all pupils in the school take part in a
daily act of worship which is mainly of a broadly Christian character, respecting the rights of parents of withdrawal.
Delegated to the Head Teacher:
 ensure that all pupils in the school take part in the daily act of worship, which is mainly broadly of a Christian character, respecting the rights of parents of withdrawal.
Religious Education:
 ensure the provision of R.E inline with the school?s basic curriculum.
Delegated to the Head Teacher:
 monitor and review provision of R.E inline with the school?s basic curriculum.
Reviewing, at least bi-termly, the committee?s progress with the current School Development Plan and updating the School Evaluation Form accordingly. Back to top

SUPPORT AND TRAINING FOR GOVERNORS

The Local Authority (LA) provides a portfolio of training that governors can access to help them carry out their duties effectively. The training must be provided free of charge to the individual governor. Most LAs offer governor and clerk training to schools under a package for which the governing body pays a subscription. Several other organisations also provide training for governors and clerks.

The school?s delegated budget is the primary source of funding for governor training and clerking. Governing bodies are responsible for approving the school budget and within that they should make provision for meeting their own training and clerking needs.

In addition to training for governors, the school?s delegated budget also covers measures taken to improve standards that are identified in a school?s development plan (may be known as the improvement or strategic plan) or included in an LA?s Children and Young People?s Plan. This will include matters such as:
* training for school senior management, teachers, classroom assistants, support staff and administrative staff;
* the purchase of books and other materials to support the effective delivery of the curriculum;
* the school?s contribution to continuing development of LA-wide arrangements, to provide comparative information to schools to support benchmarking and target setting.

Training for all governors and clerks is to be encouraged. It will help them become more effective. It is not compulsory, but all governors, however experienced, need training to improve their effectiveness in the role and to keep abreast of developments that may affect their school and their role as a governor. New governors should take advantage of ?induction? training. It will benefit schools if governors use the funds allocated for governor training and development. There is a wide range of training and support available for governors and each governing body should consider what its needs are and how training can help it to meet those needs.

The National Strategy for Governor Support and Training consists of three strands.

The National Training Programme for New Governors
This training programme for new governors aims to ensure that new governors can access consistent information about their role, responsibilities and the expectations of them. The programme?s purpose is to enable new governors to contribute as effectively and quickly as possible in supporting their schools to raise standards of educational achievement. Las may deliver the programme as part of their induction and it can also be completed by distance learning.

The National Training Programme for Clerks to Governing Bodies
This programme enables new clerks to develop the competences necessary to provide a clerking service that matches the model national job description and person specification. It also enables experienced clerks to refresh, consolidate and further develop their competences.

The National Development Programme for Chairs of Governing Bodies and Headteachers
The Department for Education and Skills (DfES) launched The National Development Programme for Chairs of Governing Bodies and Headteachers to meet the demand for more support for chairs of governing bodies and to encourage them to work together proactively with Headteachers, whilst respecting the individual roles and responsibilities of each other. It comprises two separate programmes.
* ?Taking the Chair? is intended solely for chairs and aspiring chairs to the governing body. It is designed to impart the required skills for the role of chair to the governing body. This programme, which can be completed by distance learning, will also help chairs understand their role and their working relationship with the Headteacher.
* ?Leading Together? is a facilitator-led programme that aims to bring chairs and the governing body together with Headteachers and other members of the school leadership team. It is designed to help them work on specific activities to support aspects of the school?s strategic development, and to lead, develop and work together as an effective team. Back to top

THE GOVERNING BODY