The overall role of a governor is to work with the school to ensure that it delivers a good quality education. Together with the head-teacher, who is responsible for the day-to day management, they set the school’s aims and policies.
Key aspects of the role include: ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction; holding the headteacher to account for the educational performance of the school, its pupils and the performance management of staff, and overseeing the financial performance of the school, making sure its budget is well spent. Governors are enthusiastic, proactive and committed to maintaining and improving excellence in all aspects of school life.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Who are the Governors for South Harringay School?
- What do the Governing Body do?
All School governing bodies have three core functions:
- Ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction;
- Holding executive leaders to account for the educational performance of the organisation and its pupils, and the performance management of staff; and
- Overseeing the financial performance of the organisation and making sure its money is well spent.
Governors work as a team and much of our work is guided by the School Improvement Plan which sets out what the School wants to achieve over the coming year, in terms of, for example, academic progress and attainment, culture and enrichment. We monitor this by looking at data, and the impact of particular initiatives and interventions. Governors have to scrutinise budgets, make sure the school is in good financial health and approve large amounts of spending.
- What commitments do Governors have?
Our Full Governing Body usually meets 5 times per year, and meetings last approximately 2 hours. However much of the work is done within our 3 committees and each governor sits on at least 1 committee; (1) Resources, (2) Teaching & Learning and (3) Children, Families and Community. Each of these meets 4-6 times per year, and again meetings typically last 2 hours. Most of us are also link governors, meaning we liaise with the member of staff who leads on a particular subject (e.g. maths) to discuss that subject in relation to the school improvement plan or other developments in the school.
Governors are also expected to attend 1 or more training sessions per year to update or add to their knowledge and skills base, and these are usually 2 hour sessions held at Haringey’s Professional Development Centre.
- Should I approach a governor if I have an issue with my child?
No, please do not approach a governor in this situation. If you have an issue that you are concerned about then in the first instance, you should approach your child’s class teacher. They are best equipped to discuss most concerns as they work with your children each day. If you do not drop off or pick up your child, contact reception. Should you feel that a concern has not been addressed sufficiently, you can request a meeting with a member of the leadership team. You can book an appointment via reception.
- I would like to get more involved in the school, should I approach a governor?
If you are specifically interested in the work of governors then please see questions 7 & 8 below.
There are also other ways to be involved in the school – we have an active Parent Staff Association who run fundraising activities in the school – you can contact them by email: info@friendsofsouthharringay.org.uk
There are also parent led gardening activities in the Nursery, Infants and Juniors – to find out more about these please contact Nemone Mercer: nemonemercer@fastmail.co.uk
- Can I attend a governors meeting?
Yes you are very welcome to attend a governors meeting as an observer, by appointment. Please see the school website or contact the School reception for dates of the next meetings. The Full Governing Body meets 5 times per year and each of the 3 committees (Teaching & Learning, Children Families and Community, Resources) meet 4-6 times per year. Please let reception know which meeting you would like to observe.
- How can I become a governor?
Firstly we recommend finding out what being a governor involves! Talk to current governors about the role – you can contact the Chair of governors (or any other governor) by giving your contact details to school reception (by email, phone or in person) and requesting a governor contact you, come along to observe a meeting or two, and take a look at minutes from past meetings posted on the school website insert link. Vacancies are advertised via school newsletters and may be for elected parent governors or co-opted governors. At other times it may be possible to be an associate governor if you have a specific skill to contribute to something or would like to be involved in a particular piece of work governors are undertaking. If you’re interested or would like more information do please get in touch – we’d love to hear from you.
