Terms of Reference
Strategic Leadership and Accountability:
- Work with school leaders to set a clear vision with a focus on pupil progress, achievement, and well-being. Ensure this is communicated to the whole organisation and reviewed regularly.
- Set the values for the organisation and ensure these are embedded throughout the organisation and adhered to.
- Determine the strategic direction and vision for the school.
- Monitor that school leaders are keeping up with their statutory duties in relation to the maintenance of the Single Central Record (SCR).
- Monitor and evaluate pupil progress and attainment by receiving reports and information from the Headteacher, other school leaders and external sources; compare against national and local benchmarks over time.
- Receive reports from committees, working parties or individuals and agree actions.
- Approve the SEF and monitor throughout the year.
- Approve the School Improvement Plan priorities and monitor progress towards agreed actions throughout the year.
- Review and agree the school’s Business Continuity Plan annually.
- Ensure the well-being of staff and that staff workload is managed.
- Ensure there is a transparent system for performance management of all staff which is clearly linked to the school’s priorities. Have oversight of staff performance throughout the year.
- Ensure there are mechanisms in place to listen to and respond to the views of parents/carers, pupils, staff, local communities and employers.
- Agree the recruitment process to be followed in relation to Senior Leader posts; where delegated ratify appointments.
- Approve the annual budget plan.
- Monitor the school’s budget throughout the year.
- Agree expenditure limits for the Headteacher.
- Hold at least 3 meetings each academic year.
- Ensure that committee meetings are held in accordance with the agreed terms of reference.
People and Governance Structures:
- Elect and/or remove Chair of Governors and Vice Chair of Governors.
- Annually appoint Committee Chairs or delegate to each committee.
- Consider and agree delegation of functions to individuals or committees.
- Agree annually the committee terms of reference and membership.
- Agree annually the quorums for committee meetings.
- Agree annually the voting rights for Associate Members.
- Establish and maintain a register of Governors business interests.
- Confirm the Instrument of Government and subsequent amendments.
- Appoint Co-opted, Local Authority and where necessary Parent Governors to the Governing Board.
- Review and monitor the pre-appointment interviews and Governor Induction Process.
- Have regard for Governors professional development i.e. development of an annual training plan.
- Where necessary, suspend or remove Governors from the Governing Board.
- Appoint/dismiss the Clerk to the Governing Board.
Compliance and Evaluation:
- Ensure the school is fulfilling its responsibilities regarding safeguarding and child protection and the requirements of ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education’.
- Ensure Safeguarding policies are adhered to; monitor and review all safeguarding policies/procedures within school.
- Monitor and review data on behaviour, bullying, child on child abuse, attendance and exclusions.
- Ensure all statutory requirements for reporting and publishing information are met.
- Ensure that adequate provision is made for pupil transition.
- Ensure the school complies with the provisions of the Equalities Act 2010.
- Where necessary ensure that all pupils have access to independent careers advice.
- Agree annually the School Financial Value Standard (SFVS) Self-Assessment Checklist prior to the 31 March deadline and monitor the implementation of any identified actions.
- Consider business provided by the Local Authority and other sources.
- Ensure all statutory and non-statutory polices are in place and there is an effective policy review cycle.
- Review and agree the Governor Code of Conduct.
- Ensure Governors’ information on the Get Information About School (GIAS) register and the school website is up to date and compliant with current DfE requirements.
- Confirm arrangements for completion of a Governor Skills Audit.
- Ensure there is regular self-evaluation and review of individual’s contribution to the Board as well as the Board’s overall operation and effectiveness.
- As necessary, consider an external review of the Board’s effectiveness.
Meetings: Termly
Quorum: 6
Disqualifications: where there may be a conflict of interest