The Governing Body at Sevenoaks Primary School

Governors are volunteers who work as a corporate body, the ‘Governing Board’ to provide strategic leadership and accountability in schools. At Sevenoaks Primary School, seventeen governors make up the governing board which has three core functions:

• Setting the vision and strategic direction of the school
• Holding the Headteacher to account for educational performance.
• Ensuring financial health, probity and value for money.

Governors set the aims and objectives for the School, as well as the policies and targets for achieving them. They monitor and evaluate the progress the School is making towards achieving its goals and act as a source of challenge and support to the Headteacher, a ‘critical friend’.

The Headteacher is responsible for the internal organisation, management, safeguarding and control of the school and the implementation of the strategic framework established by the governing board.

Our governing board is made up of elected parents, members of the local community, a member of teaching staff and the Headteacher, all of whom share a passion and concern for the development of our children. This combination of a broad parental perspective, along with the rich experience of our community, co-opted and staff governors ensures that a diversity of views contribute to the strategic management of the School. Associate governors may be invited to join the board as needs arise, in a non-voting capacity, reviewed annually.

The work of our Governing Board is achieved through its committees. That is where, in the small group situation, time can be given to debate fully the complexities of particular policies or issues.  At SPS in addition to the Full Governing Body, we have two committees:

• Learning and Development
• Resources

The Full Governing Body has a Chair and Vice Chair, as does each committee. All are elected by the members annually. Governors typically serve for four years and will have a variety of responsibilities during this time. We support new governors with induction and mentoring. The local authority guide us and provide access to large range of training and personal development opportunities.

If you would like to find out more about the work of the governors, or would like to join the board, please feel free to contact me via the school office or by email to chairofgovernors@sevenoaks.kent.sch.uk

Simon Leigh & James Neill
Chair of Governors