Governance is the process by which any organisation or group organises in order to be able to make decisions. In schools, this includes the governing body, who are responsible for scrutiny of decisions made in school and for driving improvement, and the processes and policies which allows the school to work effectively and appropriately.
As a member school within a multi-academy trust, responsibility for the governance of Arnold Hill Academy ultimately derives to the Board of Trustees appointed to the Spencer Academies Trust. In common with all Spencer schools, Arnold Hill Academy has a Local Governing Body (LGB), which is technically defined as a committee of the Trust Board.
The powers defining the legal relationship between Arnold Hill Academy and The Spencer Academies Trust, together with the delegation of general powers within the trust, are set out in a document called the Scheme of Delegation.
Local Governing Body
Arnold Hill has a governing body which comprises members of the local community, parents, teachers and support staff.
When vacancies arise for parent governors, information is circulated via “pupil post” and to be eligible to be nominated as a parent governor, a person must have a child registered at the school. The term of office for governors is for four years and a parent governor can, if he / she so chooses, serve the full term of office even if his / her child is no longer a pupil at that school.
Governing Bodies are required by law to meet at least once a term but can meet more frequently in order to discuss specific matters.
You can contact the governing body by sending an email to clerktogovernors@arnoldhillacademy.co.uk
Who are School Governors?
Every school has its own governing body which is be responsible for the overall management of the school. The actual size of the governing body depends on the size of the school; the membership is determined by law, and each is made up of different types of governors.
- Parent – elected by the parents of children currently attending the school – Such governors must have a child at the school at the time of the election.
- Staff – members of the school’s teaching staff.
- Community – appointed by the governing body, these governors may possess particular skills or come from a specific group within society such as the business community.
- Head Teacher – is a school governor and has the right to attend all meetings of the governing body.
What Qualifications do Governors Need?
There are no formal qualifications needed to become a school governor. The one essential requirement is an interest in, and commitment to, the education of children. Governors have to be over 18 years of age and the term of office is four years.
Governors are ordinary people, drawn from many areas of society. They need to be able to devote time to getting to know the school well and to be active and available in their support for it. Having common sense and a desire to serve the community are also important.
Normally no one may be a governor of more than two governing bodies.
What is expected of a Governor?
Time
- Attend a meeting of the full governing body at least once a term.
- Attend committee meetings as required.
- Read reports and background papers prior to meetings.
- Attend the annual meeting of parents.
- Attend other occasions such as concerts, open evenings, sports day.
Commitment
- Show an interest in children and their education and participate in many of the school’s activities.
- Attend governors’ meetings.
- Readiness to accept responsibility.
- Get to know the staff, the pupils and their work.
- Offer support and expertise.
Knowledge
- Follow educational news and debates.
- Attend training sessions.
Skills
- Work co-operatively and creatively with others.
- Use personal qualities and expertise in the interest of the school, its pupils and teachers.
Current Governors
| NAME | ROLE | APPOINTED | END OF TERM |
| Dee Wilson | Community Governor
Chair of Local Governing Body SEND Governor Link Governor – Quality of Education, Personal Development and Well-Being All Committees |
19th March 2019 | 18th March 2023 |
| Katie Tarrant | Parent Governor
Vice-Chair of Local Governing Body Quality and Standards Committee Safeguarding and Child Protection Governor Careers Governor |
27th March 2017 | 26th March 2021 |
| Nikki Anderson | Parent Governor
Chair of Quality and Standards Committee Pupil Premium Governor |
6th March 2018 | 5th March 2022 |
| Nigel Bradley | Community Governor
Chair of Resources Committee Quality and Standards Committee Health and Safety Governor Link Governor – Post 16 |
23rd November 2020 | 22nd November 2024 |
| Ken Coppel | Community Governor
Quality and Standards Committee Link Governor – Behaviour |
14th July 2019 | 13th July 2023 |
| Paul Key | Community Governor
Resources Committee Health and Safety Governor |
23rd May 2018 | 22nd May 2022 |
| Matt Robertson | Principal
All Committees |
27th June 2016 | N/A |
| Brett Slater | Staff Governor
Quality and Standards Committee |
2nd December 2019 | 1st December 2023 |
| Martyn Turner | Community Governor | 24th February 2021 | 23rd February 2025 |
The Clerk to the Local Governing Body is Mrs Sue Law, email clerktogovernors@arnoldhillacademy.co.uk
Meeting Dates
| TERM | COMMITTEE | DATE |
| Autumn 2020 | Quality and Standards | Tuesday 29th September 2020 |
| Resources | Wednesday 25th November 2020 | |
| Full LGB | Tuesday 1st December 2020 | |
| Spring 2021 | Quality and Standards | Tuesday 19th January 2021 |
| Resources | Tuesday 2nd March 2021 | |
| Full LGB | Tuesday 16th March 2021 | |
| Summer 2021 | Quality and Standards | Monday 10th May 2021 |
| Resources | Tuesday 8th June 2021 | |
| Full LGB | Tuesday 29th June 2021 |