ROBERT PIGGOTT CofE SCHOOLS

THE ROLE OF THE GOVERNING BOARD

'To take a strategic role, act as a critical friend to the School and be accountable for its decisions'

The School Governing Board is a legal entity made up of elected and appointed members of the community and is responsible, with the Executive Headteacher and staff for the management of the school, to ensuring that the school provides all of its pupils with a high quality education.

The Board has three core functions:

• Ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction
• Holding the Executive Headteacher to account for the educational performance of the school and pupils, and the performance management of staff
• Over-seeing the financial performance of the school and making sure money is well spent

The Board is made up of representatives elected or appointed from many groups in the local community:

• Parent Governors  -  elected to represent a parent's view
• Local Authority Governors  -  appointed by Wokingham
• Foundation Governors  -  appointed by the Diocese of Oxford
• Co-opted Governors  -  living or working in the community served by the school who can bring specific skills or expertise
• Staff Governors  -  members of teaching or non-teaching staff, including the Executive Headteacher

Working with the Executive Headteacher and staff, the Governing Board is responsible for the management of the school and ensuring it maintains high standards of achievement for all pupils in a safe, secure and nurturing environment.  Governors work to achieve this by:

• Setting goals for the school, making plans to achieve them and monitoring progress
• Helping to set and keep under review, policies that provide a broad framework within which the Executive Headteacher and staff run the school
• Ensuring systems are in place to monitor progress towards goals and targets
• Monitoring budgets to ensure money is being well spent
• Setting and safeguarding the school ethos.   This includes high expectations for the behaviour, progress and attainment of all pupils and for the conduct and professionalism for both staff and Governors.

The Governing Board delivers these goals collectively, as a whole and in smaller Committees.  The Board usually meets about five times a year and its Sub-Committees meet at least once per term to focus on particular areas.  Governors also make visits to the school on a regular basis to monitor progress and meet with teaching staff, and attend events where they have an opportunity to meet and talk to pupils and parents.

All members of the Board are committed to providing an excellent environment for all pupils to enjoy during their time at school.  Please feel free to contact the Governors if you wish to discuss anything.