Our Governing Body

Whitehill Junior School Governing Body

The Governing Board is part of the Leadership and Management of the school and works within the Department for Education and Local Authority guidelines and provides an independent view of the school. Governors work with the Headteacher to set the vision and strategic direction and to improve the school, ensuring that the aims and vision are implemented through long term development.

The Governing Board provides an oversight of the management and operation of the school, with the aim of improving the quality of education provided and raising standards. The Governing Board does not run the school on a day to day basis. The daily management of the school is the responsibility of the Headteacher and the other senior staff.

The Governing Board will usually meet between 4 and 5 times in each academic year. The meetings are usually held in the evening and last approximately two hours. The Governing Board has also established Committees to focus on different areas of the School. These Committees will tend to meet once  a term and again, usually meet in the evenings. The Committees are:

  • Resources Committee (Finance / Personnel / Premises)
  • Curriculum Committee

The Governing Board is appointed to:

  • Help set the school’s vision, aims, plans and policies
  • Offer support and advice to the school
  • Act as a “quizzical friend”, challenging the school leadership where appropriate
  • Ensure the policies are appropriate and are implemented in the school
  • Appoint the Headteacher and other senior staff
  • Approve and monitor the school’s budget
  • Visit the school to understand the school better, to confirm policies are implemented and to see the money is well spent
  • Help to develop community links
  • Review pupil discipline
  • Focus on a safe and well-maintained learning environment
  • Ensure that every pupil can flourish to their best potential

The Governing Board is not involved with:

  • Managing the day-to-day aspects of school life
  • Inspecting the school and its teaching and learning
  • Deciding on the way pupils are taught
  • Determining whether a pupil should be excluded

Becoming a Governor

School governors come from every walk of life and there is no requirement for you to have an educational background, indeed it is desirable to have a variety of skills and backgrounds on the Governing Board. The nature of the role is dependent on the individual school’s circumstances and legal requirements (e.g. its size, outcome of a recent Ofsted inspection etc) but will always contribute to the over-arching work of the governing body and link to the main focus of school improvement; thus ensuring the children and young people are able to achieve to the best of their ability, in a safe environment.

Whitehill Junior School welcomes new Governors to join the team as this always brings a fresh perspective into the Governing Board

So what would I have to do?

  • Show commitment by attending meetings (full governing body and committee meetings)
  • Attend training when needed
  • Work as a member as part of a team without self-interest
  • Make visits to the school during the school day so you can know our school
  • Have the best interests of the school at heart

Is training available?

Short answer… Yes!

A day’s ‘Governor Induction’ is run by the Hertfordshire County Council Governance Team and is recommended in the first 3 months of your new term of office. This will help you to understand more about the role of being a Governor and is usually run at the weekend. ‘Safeguarding Children for Governors’ training is also recommended in the first 6 months, as the welfare and safety of our children is paramount. This course normally takes 2-3 hours and is run regularly during the week in the evening.

When you become a Governor, the Chair of Governors or governor who oversees training will be able to help you book onto courses. Once your governor term is confirmed, you will also receive monthly emails with details of training courses on offer. At Whitehill we encourage Governors to take any training that they feel they need.

How do I become a governor?

If you are interested in becoming a governor and you are a parent of a child or a member of the wider community and would like to apply to join the Whitehill governing body please contact the school directly regarding vacancies.

You may also like to read this which was in a recent newsletter. 

If you would like further detail or an informal discussion about becoming a Local Authority or Community governor in Hertfordshire, please (01438) 843082. Further information is also available on the Hertfordshire County Council website.