School Governors

The Role of the Governing Body is to:

• Help the school to set high standards by planning for the school's future and setting targets for school improvement;
• Keep the pressure up on school improvement;
• Be a critical friend to the school, offering support and advice;
• Help the school respond to the needs of parents and the community;
• make the school accountable to the public for what it does;
• Work with the school on planning, developing policies and keeping the school under review;
• Exercise its responsibilities and powers in partnership with the headteacher and staff;
• Not intervene in the day-to-day management of the school unless there are weaknesses in the school, when it then has a duty to take action.

How to Become a Governor:

Voluntary Aided schools have:

· Parent governors

· Staff governors

· Local Authority governors

· Foundation governors

Parent Governors

Parent governors are elected or appointed from all parents and carers of registered pupils at the school. Parent governors are elected by other parents and carers at the school, however if insufficient parents stand for election, the governing body can appoint parent governors. A parent governor is a representative and not a delegate of the parents. Therefore parent governors do not have to vote in a particular way because they have been pressed by other parents to do so. Parent governors are on the governing body to promote the interests of all children in the school.

Staff Governors

Staff governors are elected by staff at the school. All paid staff at the school are eligible to become staff governors. The head teacher is a staff governor, but is a member of the governing body by right. Staff governors have equal status in the responsibility they share with all members of the governing body. However, staff governors cannot be chair or vice chair of the governing body and must withdraw from the governing body when discussions regarding appraisal or pay of staff is discussed. This does not apply to the head teacher, apart from when his/her pay is discussed. Again staff governors do not have to vote in a particular way because they have been pressed by other staff to do so.

Local Authority Governors

Authority governors are appointed by the local authority. Cumbria County Council can appoint any individual it thinks suitable for school governorship, many local councillors are school governors. Like all governors, authority governors must act in the best interests of the school and the wider community and cannot be mandated to take a particular stance on issues. However their knowledge and understanding of council priorities will inform debates.

Foundation Governors

Foundation governors are appointed by the school’s founding body, the Diocese of Lancaster. Foundation governors are appointed to support and develop the Catholic ethos of the school. They have to ensure compliance with the Trust Deeds of the school.

Minutes of Full Governor Meetings available on request from the School Office.

Becoming a School Governor- Message from Lancaster Diocese

Our schools have vacancies for Foundation Governors to support us in our Mission. We have attached below the Diocesan 'Called to Serve' guidance below for those wishing to find out more about how they can support our schools as Foundation Governors. 

Governors perform a vital role in our school and are highly valued by the school, the parish and the Diocese. They provide strategic support and oversight, as well as maintaining and developing the Catholic character and ethos of our schools.

If you feel you could support our schools as a governor, please contact the Diocese of Lancaster on 01524 841190 who will be able to talk you through the application process.

If you would like an informal chat with the Headteacher to discuss the prospect of becoming a governor, as well as an overview of the training and support that will be given, please contact the school on.

Governing Body Structure

Register of Interests

Attendance at Governing Body Meetings