What is a Governing Body and what do we do?

At Higham Ferrers Nursery and Infant School we have a proactive Governing Body who act as a critical friend to the school, providing support but asking challenging questions. They provide strategic planning and reflection and ensure accountability of the staff, Headteacher and themselves.

Their strategic role is to:

• set the aims and objectives for the school
• set the policies for achieving those aims and objectives
• set the targets for achieving those aims and objectives
• monitor and evaluate the progress the school is making towards achievement of its aims and objectives
• be a source of challenge and support to the Head.

Our Governing Body does not run or manage HFNIS – they have no responsibility for the internal organisation or management of the school. 

Who can become a Governor?

Almost anyone over 18 years of age can become a Governor. There are no particular qualifications or requirements, other than a willingness to give time to the role and a capacity for working with other people. Our school Governors are people who genuinely want to make a positive contribution to our children’s education. Time commitments can vary but on average they spend between 10-20 days per year on Governing responsibilities – monthly meetings, training, school visits etc.

Mark Walton, a Parent Governor said "I have learned many valuable things joining the school governors. I never thought a creative designer would be useful to a school but I have been. I was nervous about my first meeting but it proved incredibly interesting and also proved we can all contribute - even if it is simply ’the person in the street’s' view. I even learned while helping an interview process, how I can improve how I present myself in interviews - and landed a new job as a result. I learned about being organised and taking notes. I learned about how important visual colour coding can be. I learned a lot."

HFNIS Governing Body is comprised of 11 Governors who all play differing roles. Their aim is to have a balanced group with diversity in gender, age, experience and skill sets to ensure their support can be as effective as possible to the Head and all staff.

The link to the Schools Financial Benchmarking website is below:

https://schools-financial-benchmarking.service.gov.uk/

No employees of the school have a salary of £100,000 or more.

Meeting dates

 Committee Structures

Committee Terms of Reference