The Role of the Governing Body

​Curriculum

• Ensure that policies are in place and school meets statutory requirements.
• Hear appeals/complaints about curriculum matters.

​Religious Education (RE) and Collective Worship

• Arrange for RE to be provided in accordance with the agreed syllabus.
• Arrange for daily Collective Worship for all pupils.

​Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND)

• Ensure staff know the importance of identifying and helping pupils with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities.
• Make every effort to meet needs of SEND pupils.
• Ensure teachers of pupils with SEND are aware of and provide for their individual needs.
• Inform the Local Authority about pupils who may need a EHCP.
• Ensure that pupils with SEND can join in school activities as far as is practicable.

​Finance

• Decide how to spend the school’s delegated budget depending on any conditions in the LA scheme.
• Must be consulted by the LA on significant changes to the LA’s local management of schools’ scheme.
• Ensure accurate financial accounts are kept.

​Staff

• Select the Headteacher.
• Decide staff numbers and appointments.
• Can exercise a range of pay discretion.
• Set disciplinary procedures.
• Hear staff grievances.
• Ensure that effective Performance Management Procedures are in place and are followed.
• Select Clerk to Governing Body.

​Admissions

• Admit pupils whose parents have chosen the school, where places are available.
• May comment on LA admissions arrangements when consulted annually.
• Can ask the LA to raise admissions limit for their school.

​Equal Opportunities

• Must not discriminate against pupils, job applications or staff on grounds of sex, race, disability or marital status in line with current legislation.

​Discipline and Attendance

• Must agree the statement on discipline.
• Consider representations about exclusion.
• Ensure attendance registers are kept.
• Must report on unauthorised attendances in the school prospectus.
• Decide the duration of school sessions.

​Providing information

• Must supply the LA with any written information asked for – e.g. financial information and reports, annual returns.
• Supply parents with comparative information on school’s performance (via website).
• Ensure the School’s website is up to date and accessible to parents.
• Maintain pupils’ educational records and allow access.
• Provide other statutory reports on data as appropriate in line with current legislation.

​Inspection

• Notify parents and other relevant bodies of pending inspection.
• Provide information to registered inspector.
• Distribute Inspection Report and summary.
• Draw up action plan if required by OFSTED.

​Health, Safety and Welfare

• Make sure buildings, equipment and materials are safe and no risk to health in line with current legislation.

​Charging for School Activities

• Determine the charging and remissions policy.
• May invite voluntary contributions.
• Ensure free provision of activities in school time.
• May charge for some activities provided out of school hours.

​School Building

• Control the use of premises outside of the school day.
• Follow LA directions on community use outside school hours.