Governors: Introduction

What do Governors do?

The governors act as a "critical friend" to the school, monitoring and overseeing the smooth running of the school and supporting and listening to staff and parents. The governing body is responsible for the overall management of the school and for determining its aims, objectives and policies in accordance with all the relevant legislation. The head manages the school from day to day and is the governing body's principal professional adviser who assists it with the formulation and implementation of its aims, objectives, policies and plans.

School governors help schools provide the best possible education for their pupils:

• thinking and working strategically to help raise standards
• monitoring and evaluating progress towards the school's priorities and targets
• supporting the head and staff as well as challenging their expectations
• accounting to all stakeholders for the school's overall performance and for the decisions they have made

How are the Governors organised at Colston's?

As a full governing body we meet at least once each half term. We also have a number of sub committees with specific responsibilities. These committees meet additionally to the full governing body. Our current sub committees are:

• Curriculum
  Responsible for monitoring and evaluating attainment and the quality of learning, for identifying and celebrating pupil achievements, monitoring and evaluating curriculum provision, ensuring that the requirements for pupils with special educational needs are met, and to set pupil performance targets
• Staffing
  Responsible for staffing issues and relevant policies, including pay, appointments and performance management
• Premises
  Responsible for the occupation, use and the upkeep of the school premises. Also responsible for ensuring that the school and all occupants are safe. This includes risk assessments and regular health and safety reviews
• Finance
  Responsible for determining the yearly budget and expenditure