School governance

Governing bodies are the legally accountable body for Church of England schools in the Local Authority sector. If the school is academy, the local governing committee acts as sub-committee of the Trust Board who is the legally responsible body for every school in the trust.

Governors are strategic leaders and have the responsibility of promoting high standards of educational achievement, ensuring every child in their school receives the best quality education.

DfE Maintained Schools Governance Guide

The maintained school’s governance guide guides the strategic leadership and governance of local authority-maintained schools.

It brings together essential information from various sources on the governing body’s roles and legal responsibilities.

The DfE guidance is essential reading for all school governors.

It states under 1. Effective Governance

“The core functions of the governing body are as set out in (regulation 6) and include, but are not limited to ensuring:

• that the vision, ethos and strategic direction of the school are clearly defined
• that the headteacher performs their responsibilities for the educational performance of the school
• the sound, proper and effective use of the school’s financial resources

A governing body and its governors must, as required by The School Governance (Roles, Procedures and Allowances) (England) Regulations 2013, regulation 6(2):

• act with integrity, objectivity and honesty and in the best interests of the school
• be open about the decisions they make and the actions they take and shall be prepared to explain their decisions and actions to interested parties

The governing body also has legislative responsibility and strategic oversight for the school’s safeguarding arrangements.”

The DBE Measure 2021 states that the Diocesan Board of Education may give advice to governing bodies of Church schools on any matter affecting Church schools.

The governing body of a voluntary or foundation school which is a church school must obtain the advice of the DBE before—

a) publishing proposals under section 15(2) of the Education and Inspections Act 2006 for the discontinuance of the school
b) publishing proposals under section 19(3) of that Act for an alteration to the school,
c) serving notice under section 30(1) of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998 of an intention to discontinue the school, or
d) beginning consultation under section 88C(2) of that Act about the admission arrangements proposed for the school.