Role of Governors

Governors are the strategic leaders of schools, and play a vital role in making sure every child gets the best possible education. This is reflected in the law, which states that the purpose of a Governing Body is to ‘conduct the school with a view to promoting high standards of educational achievement at the school’.

The Governing Body has a strong focus on three core strategic functions:

  1. Ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction;
  2. Holding the headteacher to account for the educational performance of the school and its pupils; and
  3. Overseeing the financial performance of the school and making sure its money is well spent.

At Longmoor, the Governing Body undertakes employer responsibilities, while our staff are employed by the Local Authority. Admissions to the school fall into the same category – while the Governors are responsible for the overall management of the school, they do not determine who is admitted to the school as a pupil.

Our Governors understand their role well, and have built a productive and supportive relationship with the headteacher. The school ensures that governors have the necessary skills and commitment, including the ability to challenge the school to bring about improvement. The Governing Body ensures that there is an effective Chairperson in place at all times, and a clerk who is able to advise on the nature of their functions and duties. The Governing Board agree to abide by ‘The Seven Principles of Public Life, which are detailed below.

Governors always welcome feedback from parents as well as comments from all stakeholders in the community. If you would like to contact the school governors please contact Ms. D. Coburn, via the school office giving the general nature of your query. They will take your contact details and arrange for the most appropriate governor to contact you.

In the unlikely event you have a complaint, the school complaints policy and procedfure would still apply and your complaint should in the first instance be directed to the Head Teacher. If, however, you are not satisfied with the outcome of such discussion, it is possible to make a complaint to the Governing Body. This should always be in writing. Any complaints will be processed by Ms. D. Coburn (School Business Manager and Clerk to the Governing Board).

The Seven Principles of Public Life

The Seven Principles of Public Life (also known as the Nolan Principles) apply to anyone who works as a public office-holder. This includes all those who are elected or appointed to public office, nationally and locally, and all people appointed to work in the Civil Service, local government, the police, courts and probation services, non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs), and in the health, education, social and care services. All public office-holders are both servants of the public and stewards of public resources. The principles also apply to all those in other sectors delivering public services.

Selflessness

Holders of public office should act solely in terms of the public interest.

Integrity

Holders of public office must avoid placing themselves under any obligation to people or organisations that might try inappropriately to influence them in their work. They should not act or take decisions in order to gain financial or other material benefits for themselves, their family, or their friends. They must declare and resolve any interests and relationships.

Objectivity

Holders of public office must act and take decisions impartially, fairly and on merit, using the best evidence and without discrimination or bias.

Accountability

Holders of public office are accountable to the public for their decisions and actions and must submit themselves to the scrutiny necessary to ensure this.

Openness

Holders of public office should act and take decisions in an open and transparent manner. Information should not be withheld from the public unless there are clear and lawful reasons for so doing.

Honesty

Holders of public office should be truthful.

Leadership

Holders of public office should exhibit these principles in their own behaviour and treat others with respect. They should actively promote and robustly support the principles and challenge poor behaviour wherever it occurs.