Useful documents and resources for governors - Policy
guidance
The Education (Terms of Reference) (England) Regulations 2000,
Section 4, states:
"The governing body are to carry out their functions with the
aim of taking a largely strategic role in the running of the
school. This includes setting up a strategic framework for the
school, setting its aims and objectives, setting policies and
targets for achieving the objectives, reviewing progress and
reviewing the strategic framework in the light of progress.
"The headteacher is responsible for the internal organisation,
management and control of the school; and for advising on and
implementing the governing body’s strategic framework. In
particular, headteachers need to formulate aims and objectives,
policies and targets for the governing body to consider adopting;
and to report to the governing body on progress at least once every
school year."
Policies
Policies can fall into the following categories:
- Those legally required ( a list is available in the Guide to
the Law).
- Those the Local Authority strongly recommend as good
practice.
- Those that would be beneficial to you and your
school.
Some policies may be part of a larger policy.
All governors should involve themselves in the process of debate
and decision making. There are ready made polices available for
adoption, however, governors should be aware that policies need to
be owned by the school and they should not adopt a policy for the
purpose of ensuring that the right piece of paper is in
place!
Examples of policies can be found on the Teachernet website and
Governornet website. The Local
Authority and the Diocesan Authorities also offer sample
policies.
Policy development
Stages of policy development include:
- policy development – getting the right policies in place.
- monitoring – knowing that policies are implemented.
- evaluating – understanding the impact which policies are having
in the school.
- reviewing – making sure policies remain relevant and revising
them as appropriate.
The Governor Support Service has produced a guidance document
which is available on request by emailing governor.support@knowsley.gov.uk.
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