Governors

The federated governing body is made up of governors appointed by the Local Authority (the County Council), parents, school staff, the headteacher and governors appointed by the rest of the governing body(co-opted governors). As we are a Church of England School which is voluntary controlled, we also have foundation governors.

Parent Governors have a four year term of office and continue to serve even if their child(ren) leaves the school during this period.

What Do Governors Do?

The work governors’ undertake affects most aspects of school life. They establish, with the Headteacher, aims for the federation, and approve policies – for the curriculum, behaviour and discipline, for example; and are responsible for the school budget and the use and maintenance of the premises. More generally, they are expected to be in touch with the local community and to help guide the federation to meet the community’s educational needs. They are also expected to help the federation explain to the community what it is trying to achieve for their children. A leaflet, providing further information, is available either in school or from the Governor Support, County Hall, Northallerton, tel. 01609 798864 or e-mail:

Governor.Support@northyorks.gov.uk

The Board of Governors of the Federation of Holy Trinity C of E Schools, Ripon oversees the vision, ethos and strategic direction; holds the headteacher to account for the educational performance of the schools and their pupils; and oversees the financial performance, making sure that money is well spent.

Committees 

In addition to the full governing board, there are two main committees: (a) Finance & resources (FR) and (b) Teaching, learning & standards and Distinctiveness (TLSD).  Governors will a member of one of these two core committees, except the Chair and Headteacher who will be on both.  Both of these committees will have its own Chair who will appointed annually at the first full governing board meeting of the school year.  Governors will be allocated to one of the two committees according to their skills and expertise, and this will be reviewed annually at the first full governing board meeting of the school year. 

There are other committees that will meet from time to time as required.  Membership of these committees will be determined according to availability and rules of membership at that time.  The relevant Headteacher and a representative of the LA have a right to attend meetings of the Staff Discipline & Dismissals Panel (and the linked Appeals Panel) to offer advice. The staff governor should not be a member of the Panels.  

Each committee has agreed terms of reference that will be reviewed annually at the first full governing board meeting of the school year.