School governors are volunteers and ordinary people who want to make a positive contribution to children’s education. They are also responsible for overseeing the management side of the school’s strategy, policy, budgeting and staffing.

The overriding responsibility of the Governing Body at St. Anselm’s Catholic School is to work in collaboration with the Headteacher and Senior Leadership Team to promote continuous improvement in the performance of the school.

The Governing Body has three core functions:

• Ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction
• Holding school leaders to account for the educational performance of the school and its pupils and performance management of the staff, and
• Overseeing the financial performance of the school, making sure its money is well spent

At St. Anselm’s, the Governing Body operates under the Circle Model with governors working individually or in pairs. The core functions are achieved through 6 formal Full Governing Body meetings and 6 Finance monitoring visits in an academic year. Additionally, link governor visits are carried out in areas like Safeguarding/Child Protection, SEND, H&S and the curriculum.

Alongside the individual roles allocated to us, we are also required to undertake training to gain a greater understanding of schools, governance and changes to educational legislation and government policy. We also support a range of school events throughout the year, including the monthly School Mass at St. Vincent’s.

The Governing Body works hard to support the school vision and ethos to ensure that all our children achieve their full potential.

The categories of governors at St. Anselm’s are as follows:

The Headteacher

The Headteacher is a member of the Governing Body by virtue of their office.  If the Headteacher decides not to be a governor, they must inform the Clerk to the Governing Body in writing. Their position remains reserved and cannot be taken by anyone else.

Staff Governors

Both teaching and support staff who are paid to work at the school and are eligible to become Staff Governors.  They are elected by school staff.

Parent Governors

Parents, including carers, of registered pupils at the school are eligible to be elected as governors at the school. Parent governors are elected by other parents at the school by a process of nomination and a ballot if necessary.  If insufficient parents stand for election, the Governing Body can appoint parent governors.

Local Authority Governors

The Local Authority appoints LA Governors and any eligible person can be appointed to this role.  A person cannot be appointed if they are eligible to be a Staff Governor.

Foundation Governors

Foundation Governors are appointed by the school’s Founding Body - in our case, the Diocese of Southwark as we are a church school. They may hold office in an ex-officious capacity if they are the holder of an office specified in the Instrument of Government, for example, the Parish Priest.  The Foundation Governors are required to uphold, preserve and develop the religious character of the school.

All categories of governor are elected or appointed to serve a four-year term of office.  Governors may serve more than one term of office.