The Role of the Governing Body

The Governing Body (GB) is to take a strategic role, act as a critical friend to the school and be accountable for its decisions. It sets aims and objectives, and agrees, monitors and review policies, targets and priorities. It approves the budget, has overall responsibility for staff of the school and agrees matters which cannot be delegated to either a committee or an individual. It meets at least three times a year, and delegates many of its duties to its four subcommittees: Human Resources, Curriculum, Safety and Welfare of Pupils, and Finance and Resources.

Human Resources Committee

The HR Committee provides guidance to the GB and the Headteacher on all matters relating to personnel issues. It considers the personnel implications of the SIP, applies the provisions of the whole school pay policy and performance management provisions, determines issues relating to staff grievance or discipline issues, considers appeals made by any member of staff against whom an initial dismissal decision has been made, and recruits and appoints staff to vacancies.

Curriculum Committee

This provides guidance to the GB, in consultation with the Headteacher, on all matters relating to the curriculum and the pastoral curriculum provision. Members monitor

implementation of curriculum policies,
assessment and testing arrangements,
the effectiveness of policies on behaviour and discipline,
pupil attendance statistics and patterns of attendance and
incidence of pupil exclusions and consider the curriculum implications of the School Improvement Plan.

Safety & Welfare of Pupils Committee

This provides guidance to the GB and the Headteacher on all matters relating to the premises, to health and safety at the school, and any premises-related implications of the School Improvement Plan. It considers the repair and maintenance needs of the school building, monitors service contracts (including insurance), and the use of devolved capital by the school, and is responsible for the annual risk assessment.

Finance & Resources Committee

This committee provides guidance to the GB and the Headteacher on all financial matters. It considers the financial implications of the school improvement plan, monitors expenditure and income against the budget, agrees financial policy statements, approves applications to the local authority for loans and arranges for the auditing of funds.

Pay Committee

The functions of this committee are to

consider and adopt pay and appraisal policies, including the criteria for pay progression

ensure that appropriate arrangements for linking appraisal to pay are in place and can be applied consistently, and that pay decisions can be objectively justified
approve teachers’ salaries
monitor the outcome of pay decisions
identify and consider budgetary implications of pay decisions and consider these in the school’s spending plan

Appeals Committee

This ad hoc committee exists to consider any appeal against a decision

to dismiss a member of staff
to select a person for redundancy
short of dismissal, e.g. disciplinary, grievance, or capability