The governing body of Sir Thomas Abney works closely and supportively with the Headteacher and staff to help ensure all pupils get an outstanding education. We have legal duties and powers that enable us to do this. Our governing body was rated Good by Osfted during our most recent inspection.
Governors do not intervene in the day-to-day management of the school, except in extraordinary circumstances. This is the responsibility of the headteacher helped by the school staff. Our philosophy for running the school is one of shared responsibility worked out by common consent.
Governors govern rather than manage. We are there to give direction and focus by performing a vital strategic role.
The full governing body meets once each term. We hold two additional committee meetings each term. We also have a number of working parties that governors are involved with. STA governors love to attend school events such as concerts, open evenings and performances and organise workshops and forums for parents. We take part in staff appointment panels and when necessary hold pupil exclusion panels, parental complaint panels as well as staff disciplinary and grievance hearings.
Governors are also required to take on a ‘link’ role. Link governors liaise with specific subject leaders and visit the school to learn more about and support their subject or ‘link’ area.
Governors demonstrate their commitment to the school by:
- Showing an interest and participating in many of the schools activities
- Attending governors’ meetings
- Visiting during the day
- Getting to know the staff, pupils and their work
- Offering support and expertise
- Attending governor training sessions
The Constitution of the Governing Body
At STA there are a total of 15 governors. The governing body comprises different types of governors who each bring expertise and a different perspective to the team:
4 x Parent Governors elected by parents/guardians of registered pupils
Parent governors must be parents/guardians at the time of election. Parent Governors do not have to leave if their child leaves during their term of office, but they can if they wish to. If there is a potential vacancy, nominations are sought from parents.
If more nominations are received than the vacancies available then an election takes place. If insufficient parents stand for election, the governing body can approach a parent of the school to become a governor.
1 x LEA Governor nominated by the local education authority (LEA)
Applications for this role are sent to interested parties, once received they are forwarded to an officer panel for consideration. Once agreed, the application is given to the cabinet to be agreed. LEA appointments can only be removed from office by the officer panel. It is not the decision of the governing body.
1 x Staff Governor
Staff governors are appointed by the staff employed to work at the school or have a contract of employment with the school. If they leave the school, they cannot remain on the governing body.
8 x Co-opted Governors
(who must include 1 x parent, 2 x members of staff – of which one will include a teacher). Co-opted governors are appointed by the governing body and, in the opinion of the governing body, have the skills required to contribute to the effective governance and success of the school. Teacher governors must be permanent members of staff. They act as a representative role. Once they cease to work at the school their term of office will be terminated.
Associate Governors
Associate Governors are invited to the governing body, usually because they offer particular expertise or skills.
The Headteacher
The Headteacher is a governor by virtue of their office.
The governing body’s main role is to help raise standards of achievement:
- It is accountable for the performance of the school
- It helps shape the school’s future direction
- It monitors and reviews the performance of the school
- It makes decisions about the school’s budget and staffing
- It makes sure the school provides for all its pupils, including those with special needs
- It decides how the school can encourage pupil’s spiritual, moral and cultural development
If you would like to become a member of our governing body, look out for vacancies and information about governor elections on this page.
