The Local Governing Body

Primrose Hill C of E Primary Academy is an Academy within the Diocese of Gloucester Academies Trust (DGAT). The Trustees of DGAT have overall legal responsibility for all the schools in the trust, but they delegate powers and responsibilities with respect to the governance of each school to its governing body and Headteacher. The governing body is formally called a ‘Local Governing Body’, and is a committee of the Board of Trustees that reports to and is accountable to the Board of Trustees under a scheme of delegation of governance functions. 

The Governor's Roles

As in any school, the governors play an important role in the management of  the school. The full governing body meets at least once a term however, much of the work is done in smaller committees covering Finance and Resources and Curriculum and Standards. Governors are members of one or the other committee according to their interests or expertise. Minutes of meetings are available to view on request from the school office.

The school has an active Governing Body which is comprised of staff, parents, foundation and community representatives. The governors have three main roles – Strategic planning, Monitoring and Finances.

Strategic Planning

The Governors plan with the staff leadership team for the strategic development and improvement of the school. This is both physically, with regard to the development of the site and facilities, as well as the development of the school ethos and the curriculum. They set the school aims, policies and budget together with the Headteacher.

The Headteacher is responsible for the day-to-day management of the school.
The Governing Body:

• is accountable for the performance of the school;
• plans the future direction of the school;
• selects the Headteacher and staff;
• makes decisions on the school’s budget and staffing;
• ensures that the National Curriculum is taught;
• decides how the school can encourage the pupils’ spiritual, moral and cultural development and ensures that the school provides for all its pupils, including those with special education needs.

Monitoring

The Governors support, monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of the school. This is sometimes referred to as the role of a ‘critical friend’, not in terms of negative criticism but rather in terms of asking clear and useful questions about the way things are done and the reasons for them being done that way. This also involves setting the policy framework for the school and monitoring the implementation of policies as managed and carried out by the Headteacher and staff, as well as holding the school to account for the standards achieved and the quality of education provided.

Finances

The Governors hold the school to account for the handling of its finances, which includes both planning for long term spending and setting and monitoring the annual budget and funds.

Governors welcome constructive feedback and ideas about the strategic direction of the school. Please note that Governors do not get involved in the day-to-day functioning of the school, and it is not appropriate to contact Governors about individual children. For these requests, please either contact your class teacher or a member of the senior leadership team.

If you would like to contact the Chair of Governors this can be done through chair@primrosehill.gloucs.sch.uk 

Details of the Board of Trustees of DGAT can be found at www.dgat.org.uk