Wallands Community Primary Governors
Every school has a governing body whose members work as a team. Governors are responsible to parents and the community for making sure the school provides a good quality education. Governors also promote high standards of educational achievement. They do this together with the Headteacher, who is responsible for day-to-day management of the school.
The governing body is responsible for three main areas:
- Setting the vision and strategic direction of the school
- Holding the Headteacher to account for its educational performance
- Ensuring financial resources are well spent.
Governors are often referred to as “critical friends”, and the role is to support and question on all aspects of school life. Governors are involved in recruiting staff when the need arises. They also keep an eye on the school budget, the state of the building, attendance and welfare as well as, very importantly, the curriculum.
The governance role is strategic, and this means that governors are not responsible for day to day operation of the school, since this is the function of the Head Teacher. The Head Teacher does however have a responsibility to work with the board of governors to set the strategic direction. The Head Teacher is therefore part of the governing body.
The governing body includes:
- Parent Governors who are elected by other parents/carers at the school
- A Staff Governor who is elected by school staff
- A Local Authority Governor who is nominated by the Local Authority but is appointed by the Governing Body
- Co-opted Governors who are appointed by the Governing Body
New governors are elected for a four-year period; they are given an induction programme, and attend training specially arranged for new governors.
There are termly Full Governing Board meetings during the academic year. Each governor has a link area, these include special educational needs and disabilities; early years, equality and safeguarding.
The Clerk to the governing body arranges (in conjunction with the Headteacher and the Chair of governors) and publishes the agendas for meetings of the governing body, and prepares and circulates minutes of meetings. They also circulate training opportunities for governors, and advises governors on legal and procedural matters.
Getting involved at your child's school: Becoming a parent governor
One way to get involved at your child's school is to become a parent governor. If you are interested then you can contact the Clerk to the governing body to find out when there will be a vacancy. You can also let the Headteacher know of your interest because there may be other types of vacancies on the governing body.
When a parent governor vacancy exists the Clerk to the Governors writes to all parents asking for nominations. If the school receives more than one nomination a ballot is held and parents are invited to vote for their preferred candidate.
Being a governor is a challenging and rewarding role for anyone who wants to help children do better at school, cares about the education children receive, and wants to strengthen links between schools and their community.
Contact the Governors
If you have an enquiry for the Governors please email the Clerk in the first instance; she will then forward your query as appropriate. The Clerk is Fiona Adams; clerk@wallandscp.e-sussex.sch.uk
Governing Body Structure Jan 2024
Business Declaration of Interest 2024- 2025