Governor Impact

What we do

School governors are a team of people who work closely with the headteacher to make key decisions vital to the successful running of the school. The governors appoint the headteacher and make decisions that directly affect the education and well-being of the children. They play an important role in improving standards throughout the school and agree the school’s budget.

The day-to-day management of the school is the responsibility of the headteacher and staff. Rather than manage, governors are there to help shape the school’s future direction and focus.

Governors work as a team. Individual governors have no power or responsibility. It is only the full governing body which has legal duties and powers and all governors share in that corporate responsibility.

Governors are at the heart of how a school operates. It’s important they get things right. How they do their job affects the interests of pupils, staff morale and how the school is seen by parents and others in the community.

Governors are responsible for how the school is performing. They have to be prepared to support and challenge their headteacher by asking questions and deciding what’s best for the pupils.

The task can be divided into two main roles – providing a strategic overview and acting as a critical friend.

Governors have access to a dedicated area of our website where they can discuss issues, and keep up to date with events between the regular meetings they attend.

We have five governors at Porchester.

Parent governors are appointed by the parents of children at the school (or The Full Governing Body if the parent governor is elected following unsuccessful parent election).

Co-opted governors are appointed the The Full Governing Body.

Staff governors are appointed by members of the school staff.

Governors meet nine times a year and attend the following committees:

• Full Governing Body  committee meets three times a year
• Finance and General Purposes committee meets three times a year
• School Improvement and Review committee meets three times a year.