General information

A strong, well-led, governing body, supportive of the school, its staff and its mission, can make a valuable contribution to the school's well-being and effectiveness.

The role of a governor

Being a governor is a fine example of Christian and community service.  It's a role that shouldn't be undertaken lightly.  It involves time, energy and a willingness to become involved in the life of the school on a regular basis over at least four years.

The governing body plays an integral part in the leadership of the school and is responsible for:

• developing policy
• monitoring the implementation of policy
• challenging and holding the headteacher to account

The governing body's role is clearly strategic; governors are not involved in the day to day running of the school; that is the responsibility of the headteacher.

In voluntary aided, foundation schools and academies, the governing body is the employer of the staff.

Governing body membership

Every school has an Instrument of Government which sets out the composition of the governing body and the ways people can be appointed or elected.  In Church schools the Instrument will contain an ethos statement, derived from the school's trust deed, laying out the main purposes of the school.  All the school policies should take the ethos statement as their starting point.

The governing body is a body corporate made up of individuals who together make a significant impact on the lives of their employees, pupils and the wider community.  They must behave individually and collectively in a trustworthy manner.

Foundation governors

Foundation governors are a Christian presence on the governing body of a Church of England School. They have the same duties and responsibilities as other school governors but, in addition, they are charged with ensuring that the school's ethos, distinctiveness and effectiveness as a Church School is maintained and developed.  Foundation governors represent the interests of the local Church in the school and of the school in the local Church; as such they are a vital community link.

The Board of Education has approved a foundation governor appointment process.  Click on the links below 

Foundation governor appointment information 
Appointment form of Foundation Governor PCC 
Re-appointment form of Foundation Governor PCC 
Nomination form of Foundation Governor DBE 
Re-nomination form of Foundation Governor DBE  

We provide training for new foundation governors on a regular basis at locations across the Diocese. See the Training and events page for details.