Information for Governors

A Guide to School Governance
This short guide gives you a brief introduction to the role of governors and the governing body

DfE Governors’ Handbook
The Department for Education has published the Governors’ Handbook for school governors in academies as well as maintained schools.  It replaces the Governors’ Guide to the Law, which applied only to maintained schools.  the handbook sets out essential information on governors’ strategic roles and responsibilities. It is regulalrly updated by the DfE and also published on their website.

Getting to know your school

This short guide gives a useful overview about what to do on your first visit to your school and which documents you should expect to see to help you get to know the school.

Confidentiality and Governors

Please read this important information.

Disqualification criteria
Please notify the clerk if any of these apply to you.

Support for Governors
NYCC Governors Section contact information.

Useful Information on the Internet

Where to find further information

Guidance for foundation governors of voluntary controlled schools

What are Church schools all about?

What makes a Church school distinctive and effective?

Support for Governors from the Diocese

Copies of the half-termly newsletters from Andrew Smith, Diocesan Director of Education, can be found here. 

A number of organisations provide information and advice for governors. Below are details of just a few of them.

The Department of Education (DfE) now has a new website for Leadership & Governance at www.education.gov.uk/schools/leadership/governance  As well as providing a wide range of information for governors, this site also gives a large list of links to other sites of interest to governors.

The National Governors Association (NGA) site can be found at www.nga.org.uk NGA produce many useful publications including “Welcome to Governance – A Handbook for New School Governors”. 

The OFSTED site gives information relating to the inspection of schools and the criteria used for this process. This can be found at www.ofsted.gov.uk

The Ofsted data dashboard is available via www.dashboard.ofsted.gov.uk  (all governors need to know what this says about their school).

NYCC Training Programme for Governors – Academic Year 2016-17

It is highly recommended that you attend the “Getting Started” Training session provided by NYCC for new governors.  The school secretary, Mrs Welford, can book the course for which there is of no charge to you.  The school can also book you on to any other governor training courses you may be interested in.

Diocese of York – Training & Events Programme 2016-17

Again, Mrs Welford, can book you on a course you are interested in.

Class visits – Guidelines and visits form

Roles and remits of link governors