Types of Governor

There are 6 categories of governor at Hailey School plus the Head Teacher which are outlined below.

Being a governor is a very rewarding, and sometimes challenging experience. Like any work environment, there are key responsibilities associated with the role, and there are time commitments you need to make to do the role well. However, comprehensive training is available for those that lack experience in the education sector, and most skills are very transferrable to the school environment. We are always on the look-out for volunteers with skills and experience to benefit our school. Our current governing body is made up of a diverse range of people with very different backgrounds who all share the same passion about education and who want to make a positive difference to the school.

1)      Foundation Governors
There are two foundation governors at Hailey who are appointed by the Parish of Hailey.
A foundation governor is someone who has the skills to contribute to the effective governance and success of the school, and who is appointed for the purpose of ensuring:
• that the school’s character (including religious character) is preserved and developed
• that the school is conducted in accordance with the school’s governing documents.
Interested members of the parish who would like to apply to be a foundation governor, should there be a vacancy, should approach Reverend Neil Traynor.

2)      LA Governors
Local Authority Governors are nominated by the local authority but are appointed by the full governing body on the basis of whether they have the skills to contribute to the effective governance and success of the school.

3)      Parent Governors
Parent governors are elected by the parents of children at the school. Any parent of a registered child at Hailey School can apply to be a parent governor if there is a vacancy. The school will inform parents when a parent governor vacancy arises. An election process then takes place if more than one parent applies for the same role. A parent governor needs to be made aware of the required skills and expected time commitments for the governor role, so that they can fulfil their governance role effectively. Their role is not to represent parents on the governing body, but to operate as part of the governing body to provide strategic leadership, which may include engaging with parents on governing body issues. Parents are encouraged to take up this role which is very rewarding and gives a real insight into the school.

4)      Staff Governors
The Head Teacher is by virtue of their role, automatically included on the governing body.
In addition, a member of teaching or support staff employed by the school may be elected by the staff to serve on the governing body as a staff governor. Their role is not to try to representthe staff on the governing body, although the staff viewpoint is welcomed, but to operate as part of the governing body to provide strategic leadership, which may include engaging with staff on governing body issues.

5)      Co-opted Governors
Co-opted governors are appointed by the governing body from the local community. They are appointed because the governing body believe they have the skills to contribute to the effective governance and success of the school. Anyone from the community can approach the governing body if they are interested in becoming a governor, subject to vacancies, and the chair or vice chair will explain the role in more detail and what is required.
The governing body look for specific skills and experience to match the requirements of the different sub-committees and lead governor roles, and so a proper discussion is needed to determine the best fit for both parties. The governor role can provide great experience and an opportunity to develop new skills. If you think you may be interested in becoming a governor, please contact Sue Haywood at the school address.

6)      Associate Members
Associate members are appointed by the full governing body. They are eligible to attend full governing body meetings and take on roles on sub-committees but they do not have voting rights at full governing body meetings. These roles are ideal for people who have specific expertise in an area of governing body work, but who do not necessarily want to commit to the full workload of the governor position. It is also a great role to take on for people learning how to become a governor, before they step into a full governor position.