Role of the Governor

Amadeus Primary Academies Trust has a Board of Trustees who are responsible and accountable for all the schools within the trust. Trustees can delegate the day to day running of schools within the Trust to the Headteacher through the Local Governing Body (LGB).

Each school in the MAT has its own LGB which considers issues relevant to the individual school.  As well as acting as “champions” for the school, the LGB shares in the oversight of the functions with the Trust, but will focus on their respective school:  

  • Implementing the vision, ethos and strategic direction of the Trust at the school level.
  • Holding the headteacher to account for the educational performance of the school and its pupils; and
  • Overseeing the financial performance of the school and making sure its money is well spent.
  • Attending meetings of the full governing body and committee meetings once a term
  • Reading reports and background papers prior to meetings
  • Join in with training, briefing sessions and learning walks
  • Ensure safeguarding is embedded across the school
  • Be involved in headteacher appointments and Ofsted Inspections
  • Be prepared to be involved in meetings regarding exclusions, parents or staff appeals

The LGB must familiarise themselves with Trust policies, Terms of Reference, Scheme of Delegation and other procedures which provide detailed clarity on their role in supporting the Trust to achieve its responsibilities.

Being a school governor is a commitment to attending governing body meetings which consider issues such as setting the school vision, mitigating financial risk and scrutinising educational outcomes. They are also involved in the school community, acting as critical friends to the headteacher and senior leaders. 

It is important to understand that governance at all levels is a ‘thinking’, not a ‘doing’ role. This means that the skills and knowledge being sought are those which enable governors to ask the right questions, analyse data and have focused discussions that create robust accountability for school leaders.

Type of Governors

There are a number of types of governors that are elected:

  • Foundations Governors: The Foundation Governors will include the Parish incumbent or his or her designate.  The remaining Foundation Governors shall reflect the religious designation having been recommended by the St Parochial Church Council.  The Foundation Governor will encourage and maintain the strong links with the Church and Christian ethos.  The Foundation Governors will cover a broad range of skills to include education, business, HR and finance. 
  • Governors: Appointed by the governing body to represent the community and support the LGB to secure high standards of education for the pupils in our Schools. The Governor may not have previous experience or knowledge of education but will bring skills, experience and knowledge that will support the Local Governing Body. 
  • Staff Governor: Elected onto the governing body by staff at the school.  Everyone appointed to the Governing body is only appointed on the basis that they have in the opinion of the person making the appointment ‘the skills required to contribute to the effective governance and success of the school. 
  • Parent Governors: Elected onto the governing body by other parents from the school, and he or she must be a parent or a carer of a pupil at the school at the time when he or she is elected.   

Governance Handbook - https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/governance-handbook



If you would like to apply to become a member of the Local Governing Body for Castilion Primary, then please contact the Trust Company Secretary to enquire and complete the Trust application form: clerk@apat.org.uk