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Governing bodies of all Local Authority schools have between 9 and 20 members, made up of a number of different categories. They can choose the size and composition that suits their working arrangements (provided it complies with legal requirements on proportions). Not all categories appear on every governing body as they vary according to the category of school.
Each category of governor has a different appointment or election procedure and there are some restrictions on who may serve in a particular category.
Authority Governors
Authority (formerly LEA) Governors are appointed by Torbay Council and there is at least one on every governing body. The appointment (and reappointment) process includes input from the relevant governing body. Torbay Councillors may only serve in this category.
Community Governors
Community governors serve on the governing bodies of community, voluntary controlled, foundation and community special schools and are selected and appointed by the governing body.
Foundation Governors
There are foundation governors only at voluntary aided, voluntary controlled and trust schools with a foundation. Those in faith schools are appointed by the church or other voluntary body that originally set up the school to uphold the faith ethos of the school. Some foundation governors must be eligible to be parent governors.
Parent Governors
Parent governors make up at least a third of every governing body. They are usually elected by and from the parents of registered pupils at the school and those with parental responsibility, but very occasionally if no nominations are received, a parent governor can be appointed by the governing body. A school will circulate information to parents and carers when a vacancy happens.
Partnership Governors
There are partnership governors only at foundation schools. They are appointed by the governing body from nominations received from the local community and parents of pupils at the school. They cannot be members of staff or parents of pupils currently attending the schoo
Staff Governors
Staff governors include the headteacher (who can choose whether or not to be a governor) and governors elected by and from the teaching and support staff. Anyone employed to work at a school for more than 500 hours a year can only serve in this category.
Associate Members
These can be appointed by the governing body to serve on one or more governing body committees, and may attend full governing body meetings. They are not governors, but the governing body may assign some voting rights to them in the committees on which they serve.
Instrument of Government
This is the legal document that records the constitution of its governing body and the term of office for each category of governor as well as the name of the school. It can be reviewed or changed at any time by the governing body or the LA provided the correct procedure is followed. Visit the School Instruments of Government page for further information.
Academies do not have an instrument of government. The details of their arrangements for governance are reflected in their Articles of Association.
Academies
Each Academy Trust must have at least 3 members but there is no maximum that applies. The head/principal must be a governor and there also must be 2 elected parent governors. The Academy Trust can then decide on who else will be part of the governing body and this make-up must be reflected in its Articles of Association.
Related Websites
Contact Governing Body Support
- Tel: 01803 208233
- Email: govbodysupport@torbay.gov.uk
- Fax: N/A
