Governors

Statutory Responsibilities

As part of the preparation for an Ofsted Inspection Governing Bodies are asked to complete an audit of responsibilities and are required to indicate whether each of the following are fully in place, partly in place or not in place. (If it is not fully in place an explanation "why not” and what action is being taken is required):-

The Curriculum

1.Every learner receives the full statutory curriculum that the school must provide

2.The school provides teaching of religious education for all learners in accordance with the agreed syllabus or otherwise and has told parents of their right to withdraw their children.

3.Where the provider is a school, it provides a daily act of collective worship for all learners (in special schools as far as is practicable) and has told parents of their rights to withdraw their children.

4.(Schools with learners of primary age) The governing body has decided whether or not to provide sex and relationships education and if doing so, has agreed the content and organisation of the programme and has told parents about it and the right to withdraw their children.

5.(Schools with learners of secondary age) The governing body has agreed the content and organisation of its programme of sex and relationships education and has told parents about it and their right to withdraw their children.

Equality

6.The governing body ensures that the provider does not discriminate unlawfully against learners, job applicants or staff on the grounds of sex, race, disability or marital status.

7.The governing body has agreed a written policy on race equality, has arrangements to monitor its implementation and assess its impact on staff, learners and parents, and communicates the results of the monitoring and assessments of impact to parents and the governing body.

8.The school meets the requirements of the general duty and the specific duties in the Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000 and the Commission for Racial equality (CRE) code of practice.

Learners with learning difficulties and disabilities

9.The school has regard to the Special Educational Needs Code of Practice when meeting learners' learning difficulties and/or disabilities and makes its policy known to parents.

10.The school meets the requirements of the Special Educational needs and Disability Act 2001. It has told parents about its policy and arrangements and reports annually on the success of its SEN policy and the progress made in improving accessibility.

Learners care and wellbeing

11.The governing body has procedures for ensuring the provider meets all relevant health and safety legislation.

12.The provider's procedures for child protection follow the requirements of the local Area Child Protection Committee, and the governing body ensures that these are followed.

Informing parents/guardians

13.The governing body ensures that all statutory assessments are conducted and results are forwarded to parents/guardians and appropriate bodies

14.The governing body (of maintained schools only) ensures that each year a report on learners educational achievements is forwarded to their parents/guardians.

15.The school keeps parents and prospective parents informed by publishing a school profile in accordance with Regulations (subject to the Education Bill 2005)

Leadership and Management

16.The responsibilities of the governing body, its committees, the headteacher and staff in respect of finances are clearly defined and limits of delegated authority are delineated.

17.The governing body has a performance management policy and ensures that all teachers, including the headteacher, are appraised in accordance with statutory requirements.

18.The governing body has all relevant complaints and appeals procedures, as set out in the DfES guide to the law for school governors.

19.The governing body operates recruitment and selection procedures that meet the recommendations in the Secretary of State's guidance.