The Board of Education is committed to helping schools to continually strengthen their effectiveness and distinctiveness as Church of England Schools. Governors, headteachers and school leadership teams play a central role in securing high standards and in ensuring that every young person within a school can enjoy ‘life in all its fullness’.
Whilst the governing bodies role is largely strategic, a strong, well-led governing body, supportive of the school, its staff and its vision makes an important contribution to the school’s well-being and effectiveness. Working closely with governors and senior colleagues, it is the headteacher’s job to create a shared vision and plan for the school that inspires pupils, staff and the whole school community to give and achieve their best. Headteachers and principals are both the spiritual and academic leaders of their schools or academies.
All Voluntary Aided, Foundation and Academy schools are their own admissions authorities and must set, consult on and determine admissions arrangements. We recommend that this is done annually.
Admissions:
Admission Policies – Advice on review and consultation June 2020
Guidance for review of admissions policy
School admission code
School admissions arrangements and regulations
School admission regulations related to infant class sizes
Appeals:
School admission appeals code
School admission appeal arrangements and regulations
Government Admission Appeals – Temporary New Arrangements (24/04/20 – 31/01/21)
Please click on this link for the latest information about admissions appeals.
All admissions arrangements are subject to the Department for Education Admissions and School Appeals Codes and all governors should ensure they are familiar with these documents.
1 Foundation Governor Appointment and Re-appointment process (VCVA) Sept 2019
2 Foundation Gov Application Form (Voluntary Aided & Voluntary Controlled Schools) Sept 2019
3 Foundation Governor Application Form (DGET) Sept 2018
4 Academy Trustee Application Form 2017 DGET
6 Guidance on the removal of foundation governors July 2019
7 Incumbents Multi Parish Benefices with more than one church school governance advice
DBS Guidance for Governors
DBS Checks Mandatory for Governors
Following the publication of the School Governance (Constitution and Federations) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2016 it is mandatory for all governors at maintained schools to apply for an enhanced DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check within 21 days of their election or appointment.
1 Governance Handbook (D f E Weblink)
2 Competencey Framework for Governance (D f E Weblink)
3 Clerking Competencey (D f E Weblink)
4 Constitution of Governing Bodies of Maintained Schools ( D f E Weblink)
5 Statutory Policies for Schools ( D f E Link)
6 Best Practice for Complaints Procedures (D f E Weblink)
7 Publication of Governors Details and Register of Interests Governance 2017
8 Foundation Governors – Legal Position 2017
9 Ex-officio Foundation Governor Information 2017
10 Differences Between Categories of Church Schools 2017
11 Exploring Church School Distinctiveness – Questions for Governors 2017
12 Governance Readiness for Ofsted Inspection 2017
13 Guidance for School Governors when Conducting or Commissioning an Independent Review 2017
The Governance of Church of England Schools
Church Schools were established in a tradition of Christian commitment to education to serve local communities or parishes.
All church schools are governed under Instruments of Government, operating since 1 September 2003, which contain “an ethos statement” adopted by the governors to encapsulate the religious character of the school and its purpose. It represents a modern interpretation of the school’s original Trust Deed, the legal document which founded the school.
Foundation Governors
Foundation Governors are expected to bring to the Governing body an informed regard for the Christian character and foundation of the school, to ensure that this is preserved and developed, and that the religious worship reflects the tradition of the Church of England.
The Parochial Church Council (PCC) will recommend people who it regards as being able to bring a Christian perspective to the life of the school to the Diocesan Board of Education, for appointment as foundation governors. Nominated people will also have the skills to contribute to the effective governance and success of the school.
The law gives some powers and duties specifically to headteachers, and others to governing bodies. In a well-managed school, the headteacher and governing body will work in a close and balanced partnership.
Governors have a general responsibility for the effective management of the school, acting within the framework set by national legislation with guidance from the Diocese and the LA. But they are not expected to take detailed decisions about the day-to-day running of the school – that is the role of the headteacher, whose appointment is one of the most important decisions with which the governing body will be concerned. A good headteacher will discuss all the main aspects of school life with the governors and expect them to offer general guidance. Since it is for the governors to be accountable for the running of the school, the headteacher will want to be confident that her/his actions have their support.
All governors have equal rights and responsibilities. They are not delegates and must act according to their judgement, in the best interests of the children in the school.
The responsibility of the governing body is collective. Governors do not have power to act individually unless instructed by the whole governing body. Governors work collectively with the headteacher and staff to carry out their responsibilities.
If you have any queries related to Governance, please contact the department on and we will be happy to assist you.
