Governors

At Longton Primary school we are fortunate to have a keen, committed and knowledgeable governing body. The fact that we currently have no vacancies highlights that it is a prestigious position to hold. Our governors have a vital role to play in making sure all children at a school receive the highest standard of education possible and are able to achieve their full potential. They believe that the quality of education we provide for today’s children will affect the quality of society in the future. School governors come from all backgrounds reflecting different cultures, communities, work skills and life experiences. In a nutshell – teachers do, the headteacher monitors and leads and the Governors evaluate (some would say with a fine toothcomb!)

What Our School Governors actually do -
Our school has its own governing body which has specific duties given to it by law including:
Agree school developmental priorities
Monitor and evaluate the performance of the school
Set school targets
Make sure the curriculum is balanced
Agree school policies
Agree an annual budget detailing planned spending and staffing
Appointment of Headteacher and other senior staff

As a school governor, you will work alongside the Headteacher, providing support and guidance while respecting their role as the school's professional leader. Governors engage in shaping the school’s aims and vision, demonstrating a commitment to dedicating time and energy to this volunteer position. Each governor plays a vital role within the governing body, contributing to its work by participating in regular meetings, reviewing numerous documents, and familiarising themselves with the issues at hand. Typically, this involves attending six governing body meetings each term, each lasting approximately two hours, as well as making regular visits to the school during the day and assisting with school events. Most governing body meetings take place on weekdays at 4.30 PM in the school. A strong understanding of the school’s operations greatly benefits our governing body. Governors receive training and support to effectively fulfil their roles, and each has a duty to act in the best interests of all children, while upholding confidentiality. Although not all governors have prior experience in education, their diverse skills and knowledge from everyday life and work are invaluable. Essential qualities for a governor include common sense, the ability to listen, and a willingness to make reasoned decisions, along with a commitment to contribute a few hours of time. The Governing Body operates collectively, with each governor's primary loyalty directed towards the school. Governors support both staff and the Headteacher, while also serving as 'critical friends.' It is important to note that the role of a governor is strategic rather than operational; the Headteacher and staff manage the day-to-day running of the school. Parent governors are elected by fellow parents and while they represent parental views, they are not delegates and cannot be directed by others on how to vote or express opinions during meetings. Additionally, becoming a governor should not be a means to pursue personal agendas. Parent governors may sometimes be approached by parents with individual concerns, and it is advisable to encourage them to speak directly with their child's class teacher or the Headteacher rather than raising specific issues at the Governing Body level.

Staff Governors
One staff governor position is designated for the Headteacher, while other staff governors are elected by the school’s staff. Both teaching and support staff who are paid to work at the school are eligible to stand for election as staff governors; volunteers do not qualify. At least one staff governor must be a teacher; however, if no teachers stand for election, a member of the support staff may be elected to fulfil that role. In cases where a governing body has three or more staff governor positions, at least one must be allocated to support staff, but if no support staff members come forward for election, a teacher may be elected in their place. Staff governors represent the collective experiences of the entire school community, including colleagues, children, and parents, rather than seeking to promote their own individual interests.

Authority Governors
They are appointed by the Local Authority and are usually a member of the council
e.g. county councillor.

Parent Governors
Parents, including carers, of registered pupils at the school are eligible to stand for election as a parent governor. They are elected by other parents at the school. If insufficient parents stand for election, the governing body can appoint parent governors. The law does not allow elected members of the Local Authority, or people who work at the school for more than 500 hours in a school year, to become parent governors. Parent governors bring a parental view point and do not represent other parental views within the school. They must remain impartial and cannot drive their own agenda to promote changes that will enhance their child’s experience. They are a governor to promote the development of the whole school.

Co-opted Governors
Community governors are appointed by the governing body to represent community interests. Community governors can be people who live or work in the community served by the school, or people who do not work in or live close to the school but are committed to the good governance and success of the school. People who are registered pupils at the school, eligible to be staff governors at the school, or elected members of the LA, cannot become community governors.

Sponsor Governors
Sponsor governors are appointed by, and at the discretion of, the governing body. If the governing body wants to appoint sponsor governors it must seek nominations from the sponsor(s). Sponsors are people who give substantial assistance to the school, financially or in kind, or who provide services to the school. The governing body can appoint a maximum of two persons as sponsor governors.

Heads Team
At the start of each full Governing Body Meeting the members of the heads team present a report, which they have prepared independently, informing governors of children’s views and the impact they have on school life. All members of this team are proud of this opportunity.

Children’s views
Erin “our Governors help on our school trips”.
Olivia “They meet at night and make sure we are doing our best”.
Phoebe “They help Mrs Brown and Mr Pearson make our school the best”.