The Governing Body of St Monica’s Catholic Primary School

 

St Monica’s is supported by a passionate and knowledgeable Governing Body whose members have strong links with our parish and local community. Many of our Governors have decades long connections to our school and all work tirelessly to support the school. If you are interested in becoming a Governor, please contact our office and we would be happy to help.

The Governing Body provides the school’s strategic leadership. Working closely with the headteacher and senior leaders, governors:

• help to define and protect the school’s Catholic mission, values and strategic direction;

• hold the headteacher and senior leaders to account for the educational performance of the school;

• oversee the effective and responsible use of the school’s financial resources;

• provide appropriate support and constructive challenge; and

• ensure that the school fulfils its safeguarding and other statutory responsibilities.

Governors are volunteers who generously give their time, skills and experience to support the continued development of St Monica’s and improve outcomes for every child.

Our Governing Body includes:

• foundation governors;

• parent governors;

• a staff governor;

• a local-authority governor; and

• an associate member.

All governors share collective responsibility for decisions and must act in the best interests of the school and its pupils.

Foundation Governors

All governors have a responsibility to support and protect the Catholic character, mission and ethos of St Monica’s. Foundation governors have a particular responsibility in this area and are appointed by the Archbishop or diocesan authority.

Their responsibilities include helping to ensure:

• that the Catholic character and mission of the school are preserved and developed;

• that the school is conducted in accordance with its trust deed and the policies of the Archdiocese;

• that Religious Education is taught in accordance with the requirements of the Archbishop and the Religious Education Directory;

• that the school’s curriculum is rooted in Gospel values and supports pupils’ spiritual and moral development; and

• that the school continues to serve the needs of its pupils, families, parish and wider community.

As a Catholic voluntary-aided school, the Governing Body is also the school’s employer and admission authority. It determines admission arrangements in accordance with statutory requirements, the School Admissions Code and archdiocesan guidance. Where the school is oversubscribed, its published admission policy may give priority to Catholic applicants.

The Governing Body also ensures that appointments to reserved senior leadership and Religious Education posts are made in accordance with current Catholic Education Service and archdiocesan requirements.

Staff Governor

The staff governor is elected by members of the school staff and may be a member of the teaching or support staff. 

The staff governor brings valuable knowledge and experience of school life to the Governing Body. However, they do not act as a representative of the staff. Like every governor, they make decisions in the best interests of the school and all its pupils.

The standard term of office is four years, unless otherwise specified in the school’s Instrument of Government.

Parent Governors

Parent governors are elected by the parents and carers of pupils at the school. They bring an important parental perspective to discussions and help the Governing Body understand the experiences and views of families.

Parent governors do not act as delegates of the parent body. They exercise their own judgement and make decisions in the best interests of the whole school.

If a parent approaches a governor with an individual concern or complaint, the governor should direct them to the appropriate member of staff and the school’s published Complaints Policy.

Local-Authority Governor

The local-authority governor is nominated by the local authority and appointed by the Governing Body.

They do not act as a representative or spokesperson for the local authority. Like all governors, they contribute their knowledge and experience while acting in the best interests of St Monica’s and its pupils.

Associate Member

An associate member is appointed by the Governing Body to contribute particular knowledge, skills or experience to one or more of its committees.

Associate members are not governors and cannot vote at full Governing Body meetings. However, an associate member who is aged 18 or over may be given voting rights on a committee to which they have been appointed.

Associate members may attend full Governing Body meetings and make a valuable contribution to the school’s strategic development.

 

 

Clerk to the Governors: Mrs C. Price