The role of Governors Briefing for candidates

1. The role of GovernorsBriefing for candidates Compass School Southwark September 2019

2. Contents • Corporate and legal • The role of Governors • The Principal • The Governing Body • Individual Governors • Conduct of Governors • Training • Remuneration and insurance • Parent Governors • Questions and discussion

3. Corporate and legal • Compass School Southwark is an “Academy” … • Independent from the Local Authority (Southwark) • Supervised directly by the Department of Education (see next slide) • … Owned and controlled by Compass Schools Trust: • A company limited by guarantee • Five Members • A registered charity • … So legally, “Compass” is a company, a charity and an academy • And the Governors are also company directors and charity trustees. The term “Governor/s” encompasses all three roles.

4. Corporate and legal Department of Education Secretary of State Education and Skills Funding Agency Regional Schools Commissioner OFSTED Funding agreement Compass Schools Trust Members appoint governors Financial oversight Appoint Principal Educational oversight and inspection Compass School Southwark

5. Corporate roles of Principal and Governors Principal CEO of the School Ex officio governor Personally responsible for all educational, operational and financial matters Accountable to Department for Education for use of public money Governing Body Sets strategy Appoints Principal Reviews delivery of the Strategy and assesses its suitability Approves policies and monitors compliance Holds Principal to account in all matters Financial supervision – budgets, management accounts, statutory accounts Compliance with Academy, Corporate and Charity law

6. The Governors collectively Full Governing Body (“FGB”) • Up to ten “Independent Governors” • Principal • Staff Governor(s) • Parent Governor(s) • Co-opted Governors (max 3) • A Chair and vice-Chair elected every year • Meets at least every term, usually four times each year Standards Committee – detailed review of educational provision, progress, outcomes Finance Committee – budgets, management accounts, internal controls, operations Pay Committee – pay awards and annual appraisals Strategy Group – ad hoc group working on our new building, future direction of the School Committee Chairs share minutes with the FGB and provide oral briefing at meetings

7. Individual governors • We learn about all aspects of the School to enrich our understanding and effectiveness as governors • We represent the School • We have statutory roles • Link visits: detailed reviews of key themes, issues and subjects • Familiarisation visits • School events: assemblies, plays/shows, events, parent evenings • Stakeholders: greeting/meeting visitors and representing the School with officials, our landlord and benefactors • Panels:for permanent exclusions, exclusion appeals, complaints • Training: to improve our understanding of our responsibilities and of the issues affecting the School

8. Conduct of governors • Seven Principles of Public Life: Selflessness, Integrity, Objectivity, Accountability, Openness, Honesty, Leadership • No personal interests • Confidentiality of the School’s business • Staff code of conduct • No undischarged bankruptcy* • Not declared unfit to be a director or charitable trustee* • Up to date clearance from the Disclosure and Barring Service (Enhanced)* * Please consult Ms Selman in the admin team

9. Remuneration and insurance • No governor is remunerated for the role • Reasonable expenses can be reclaimed • Officers’ liability insurance provided by the School

10. Parent governors • Participate in all of the Governors’ business except for certain confidential matters • Represent the parents generally • Personal capacity - not delegates on behalf of our parents • Do not involve themselves in matters raised with them by parents • May join a committee once familiar with the School Governor role • Not invited to participate in Panels for confidentiality reasons

11. Notes