Governors

School governors form one of the country’s largest groups of volunteers.

A Governing Board’s work focuses on three core strategic functions:

• Ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction
• Holding the Headteacher to account for the educational performance of the school and its pupils
• Overseeing the financial performance of the school and making sure its money is well spent.

The Headteacher is responsible for the internal organisation, management daily running of the school and the implementation of the strategic framework established by the Governing Board.

The Governing Board sets the aims and objectives for the school and policies and targets for achieving those aims and objectives. It monitors and evaluates the progress the school is making towards those aims and objectives and is a source of challenge and support to the Headteacher.

Almost anyone over 18 years of age can become a governor. Volunteers must demonstrate a willingness to dedicate time to the role, have the capacity to undertake the training necessary to fulfil the role and to visit the school on a regular basis during the school day and to attend meetings of the Governing Board and any Committees or working groups as necessary.

The Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006 specifies that all individuals acting as members of the Governing Board of an educational establishment (defined as either an educational establishment which is exclusively or mainly for the provision of full-time education to children, or a maintained nursery school) must undergo a DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check.

The Governing Body of Burstow School is comprised of 14 governors elected or appointed as follows:

• 2 Parent governors – elected by parents.
• 1 Staff governor – elected by the staff.
• 1 Headteacher – ex officio.
• 1 LA governor – appointed by the Local Authority.
• 6 Co-opted Governors – appointed by the Governing Board based upon skills and experience.
• 2 Partnership governors – appointed by the Governing Board based upon skills and experience.

The Governors are:

The Nominated Governor responsible for Safeguarding is: Mrs Claire Creed

The Clerk to the Governors is Mrs Kate Baum clerk@burstow.surrey.sch.uk

The Governing Body hold three meetings per term and also Committees covering Pay and Admissions.

The Governing Body will convene panels for Disciplinary matters/Complaints or exclusions as necessary.

Statutory Information: