The Governing Body

St Mary's Church of England Primary School and Nursery is a voluntary controlled, maintained school operating within an Instrument of Governance co-authorised by Southampton City Council and the Diocese of Winchester.

The Governing Body of the school conforms to standing orders and each governor is required to comply with a Code of Conduct which includes declaring relevant business and pecuniary interests. (The Governor Code of Conduct is attached below)

All governors (with the exception of the Executive Headteacher) are appointed for a 4-year term of office which may be renewed. Parent governors are elected by parents of children currently attending the school; the local authority governor is appointed by Southampton City Council; the staff governor is elected by employed members of staff; and co-opted governors are appointed by the Governing Body to ensure a balance of skills, knowledge and experience is maintained. St Mary's also welcomes Foundation governors —typical in a Church of England school—appointed by a religious body or trust to preserve the school's specific religious ethos, character, and foundation deed.

GOVERNANCE AT ST MARY'S

St Mary's Governors are each assigned to support and monitor the work of the school. This is in conjunction with our school's Development Plan/Big Moves and the Rhythm of the Year (monitoring schedule).

The role of the Governing Body is to exercise a civic duty of accountability for the strategic operation of the school. The role of a governor is not to involve oneself with the operational (daily running) of the school or the decision-making of the Headteacher.

Documents are available at the bottom of this page.