Governors

Responsibility

The governing body has general responsibility for the conduct of the school with a view to promoting high standards of educational achievement. This general responsibility gives rise to a wide range of specific responsibilities some of which are delegated to committees.

Committees include Appeals/Pay Appeals, Appointments, Curriculum and Structure, Finance and Resources, First Committee/Pay Review, Policy and Planning and Pupil Discipline. The governing body must review the establishment, terms of reference, constitution and membership of any committee annually and any committee to whom a decision has been delegated must report any action taken or decision made.

It is essential for the governing body to have access to adequate financial skills to ensure they meet their statutory responsibilities for the financial management of the school and can safeguard the large amounts of public money for which they are responsible. Not all governors need all these skills, but collectively members of the governing body (and finance committee) have these skills among them.

The finance committee analyse their skills on a regular basis to identify any skills gaps and have access to training when gaps are identified. This helps them to fulfil the role of challenge and support in the field of budget management and value for money. The governing body can show how the school has used its resources and is able to respond honestly to questions about its financial probity and minutes of the full governing body and committee meetings are available on request.

Governor Diversity

As a school we recognise that a diversity of thought, voices and perspectives is essential to good governance and the effective running of any organisation. We regularly collect diversity information from our governors and, depending on current data, can use this to:

• target recruitment to address gaps in experience and diversity
• develop and adapt board practices to ensure full participation
• prioritise training and awareness-raising in identified areas
• address potential ‘blind spots’ through seeking wider advice and perspectives on current and upcoming opportunities, challenges and risks

However, at present we are unable to publish this information as it would mean that individual members of our governing body are identifiable.

Woodham Academy Chair of Governors

Our Chair of Governors is Mr Sean Barnett, who can be contacted by using the school address (Woodham Academy, Washington Crescent, Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, DL5 4AX)

The Eden Learning Trust Members

Original Members signatories to the Memorandum; new Members appointed by unanimous agreement of the existing Members.