Governors Code of Conduct

Model Code of Conduct for Governors

The governing board has adopted the following principles and procedures:

 Commitment

• We accept that being a governor involves the commitment of significant time and energy
• We will be active and involved members of the governing body, attend regularly, and share responsibilities, including service on committees or working groups
• We will get to know the school well and respond to opportunities to involve ourselves in school activities
• We will attend training and take responsibility for our own learning and development as a governor
• We will prepare for meetings by reading paperwork beforehand

 Confidentiality

• We will observe complete confidentiality when required to do so by the governing board, especially regarding matters concerning individual staff or students
• We will not divulge information about members of staff or students
• We will exercise great care if a discussion of a potentially contentious issue of the school arises outside of the  governing board
• We will declare an interest if an item under discussion at any full or committee meeting of governors impinges upon our personal, family or financial situation

 Conduct

• To work as a member of the team at all times and be loyal to collective decisions
• We will encourage the open expression of views at meetings, but accept collective responsibility for all decisions made by the governing board or its delegated agents. This means we will not speak out against majority decisions in public (or private) outside the governing board
• We will seek to act on behalf of the governing board when we have been specifically authorised to do so
• In making or responding to criticism or complaints affecting the school we will follow the procedures established by our governing board
• Our visits to the school will follow the code of practice for visits established by the governing board and agreed with the Head teacher
• We will always be mindful of our responsibility to maintain and develop the ethos and reputation of our school; as well as uphold all school policies and procedures
• We will seek to develop effective working relationships with the head, staff, parents, the LA and other relevant  agencies and the community

 General

• We are responsible for determining, monitoring and keeping under review the board policies, plans and procedures of the school
• We recognise that the Head teacher is responsible for the implementation of policy, day to day management of  the school and the implementation of the curriculum
• We accept that all governors have equal status, and, although appointed by different groups, our overriding concern will be the welfare of the school as a whole
• We have no legal authority to act individually, except where the governing body has given us delegated authority to do so
• We have a duty to act fairly and without prejudice, and in so far as we have responsibility for staff, we will fulfil all that is expected of a good employer
• We will encourage open government and will act appropriately
• We will consider carefully how our decisions may affect other schools