The purpose of the governing body is to help the school provide the best possible education for its pupils. We play a strategic role, meaning that we concentrate on the underlying principles of how the school is run, rather than day-to-day management issues, which remain the responsibility of the head teacher and their staff. We have a considerable number of statutory responsibilities to fulfil (such as approving the school budget, performance management of the head teacher, the delivery of the national curriculum, safeguarding and child protection policy, approving arrangements for school trips, as well as other health and safety issues) and generally monitor and evaluate progress in school development and achievements.
We also play an important role in accountability. Not only is the head teacher accountable to the governing body, but the governing body in turn is accountable to parents, the LA and ultimately to the Department for Education. However, perhaps one of the best phrases used to summarise the role of the governing body is that of “critical friend”. At Coleridge we have a long history of excellent working relationships between the governing body, head teacher and staff. The 2015 OFSTED report commented that “Governors use their wide range of expertise, including in assessment data, to question senior leaders incisively and to hold them very closely to account for the school’s performance”.
Structure
We used to have a quite committee-heavy structure to our governing body, but, as of Autumn 2023, we re-evaluated this, and now deal with most matters through our full governing body meetings. We have two remaining committees which perform certain statutory functions, the Pay Committee, which reviews pay matters as appropriate, and the Head Teacher Review Board, which oversees the role of head teacher within our school. These two committees meet as required during the school year. We also sometimes convene working parties or groups as required to look at certain topics.
Meetings
We meet as a full governing body twice a term.
At Coleridge, in keeping with our commitment to openness and transparency, the main Part One of governing body meetings is open and parents are welcome to attend. Most meetings are held in Coleridge West building, and the dates of the meetings are available on the school calendar or the Governors Meeting Dates page.