4 th December 2014 Reco constitution nstitution of of Governin rning g Bo Bodie dies s in Ma in Mainta intain ined ed Sc Scho hool ols Welcome to our briefing session led by Claire Meese (Diocesan Director of Education) In attendance: Alison Jacobson (Diocesan Governance Officer) Mrs Jane Mansell (Governor Services, NCC)
By 1 September 2015, all governing bodies of maintained schools must be constituted under the 2012 Governance Regulations. Purpose of this briefing: 1. Identify main requirements of new legislation. 2. Assess implications of reconstituting for foundation governors and church appointing bodies (Diocese/PCC’s/DCC’s). 3. Clarify the role of a foundation governor within a ‘skills based’ GB. 4. Explain the new appointment process for foundation governors (effective 1st Jan 2015). 5. Set out the process governing bodies must follow when reconstituting. 6. Q & A session with Claire, Jane & Alison.
1. What are the main points set out in the DfE Guidance? Communication in • GB’s to be no bigger than necessary. deaneries & parishes • Skills based appointments and auditing procedures are necessary. • Church appointing bodies (Diocese/PCC’s/DCC’s) must be satisfied that With h the he Dioc ocesan an C the governors they appoint have relevant skills. • Foundation governors have a particular purpose to safeguard the character of the school, in addition to providing strategic skills. • Effective engagement with parents, staff & wider community. • GB’s need to regularly review their effectiveness. • The strategic value in governing more than one school.
• Proposed composition of new governing bodies: No upper size limit, minimum 7 in VC schools and 12 in VA schools, and must include: • at least 2 parent governors; • the headteacher (unless the headteacher resigns as a governor); • one staff governor (only one); With h the he Dioc ocesan an C • one local authority (only one); and • additional co-opted governors, as the GB considers necessary; ( however the number of co-opted governors, who are eligible to be elected/appointed as staff governors, must not when counted with the one staff governor and the headteacher, exceed 1/3 of the total membership of the GB & the proportion of foundation governors remains the same). • VA schools – 2 more foundation governors than all other governors • VC schools – at least 2 foundation governors (no more than ¼)
2. What are the implications of reconstituting for foundation governors and church appointing bodies? • GB’s require approval of their new instruments from all appointing bodies (DBE/PCC’s/DCC’s Trustees etc). • The influence/proportion of foundation governors must not be diminished, With h the he Dioc ocesan an C • Reconstituting may result in surplus foundation governors (to be resolved sensitively by the relevant appointing bodies). • In future appointing bodies must be aware of which skills are required by the schools and be satisfied that the governors they appoint have those skills. • A more robust foundation governor appointment process is going to be required.
3. What is the role of a Foundation Governor within a ‘skills based’ governing body? Foundation governors will be required to bring strategic skills to a governing body, in addition to being prepared to safeguard the character and Christian ethos of a church school.
4. What is required as part of the new Foundation Governor appointment process? • A skills audit should be used to determine which skill sets are lacking within the governing body. • Before nominations are sought, GB’s need to inform the relevant appointing body which skills their GB requires. • All potential foundation governors will need to fill out an application form stating why they wish to serve, the knowledge, skills and experience they bring and confirming their support of the Christian ethos of the school and their agreement to safeguard the C of E character of the school. • The Diocese will look at training records of governors when considering reappointments. Ex-officio governors will be asked to provide DBE nominations. A new foundation governor appointment process will be effective from 1 st January, 2015 but schools should be working towards this before this date.
5. What process must governing bodies follow when reconstituting? • Ensure they are familiar with the contents of the DfE Guidance on reconstitution available on the DfE website (follow link in briefing paper) and the Diocesan briefing paper. • Liaise with all appointing bodies (Diocese/PCC/DCC/Trustees). • Agree size and make-up of proposed constitution. (minimum 7 in VC schools and 12 in VA schools) • Draw up a draft instrument (usually the clerk, to the governing body). • Seek final approval from the Trustees, PCC/DCC and then send to Alison Jacobson (c/o diocese) to finalise any DBE appointments and gain their approval. • Send approved draft instrument to the LA. • LA will do a final legal check and seal the new instrument. • Distribute copies of finalised instrument to all governors and appointing bodies.
We would encourage all maintained schools to give consideration to converting to a skills based model of working sooner rather than later. Diocesan Contact: Alison Jacobson 01636 817230 or 01636 814504 alison.jacobson@southwell.anglican.org. Governor Services Contact: Mrs Val Whistler 01623 433356 val.whistler@nottscc.gov.uk
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