Hadley Wood School’s Governing Body consists of 12 governors who are part of the UK’s largest volunteer force. Governors meet on a regular basis to provide strategic leadership and accountability. The Governing Body has three key functions:

1. Ensuring the clarity of vision and ethos, and the long-term strategic direction, of Hadley Wood School;
2. Holding School leaders to account for the educational performance of the School and its pupils, and the effective and efficient performance management of its staff;
3. Overseeing the financial performance of the School and making sure its money is well spent.

Although Hadley Wood School’s governors have statutory responsibilities that include agreeing the school budget and expenditure and ensuring key policies are in place, they do not get involved in the day-to-day running of the School. Their role is one of ‘critical friend’, asking questions and providing challenge and support in any areas in which they have expertise. Governor training is provided by the local authority which offers training sessions for both new and more experienced governors. Additionally, Hadley Wood School runs its own training when required. 

Governors’ terms of office are expected to be 4 years. The full Governing Board meet four times a year and alongside this, governors are also required to join one of four separate committees: Finance, Curriculum, Premises and Staffing. These committees meet once every term. Their function is both supportive, but also to provide challenge and provide strategic input and governance:

The full Governing Board meet four times a year: twice in Autumn Term, and once in Spring and Summer Terms respectively. Governors are also required to join one or more of four separate committees that deal with specific aspects of the Governing Body’s work. The current committees are:

• Curriculum – the Curriculum Committee scrutinises the effectiveness of teaching and learning, and the delivery of the curriculum in meeting the needs and raising achievement of all children.
• Finance – the Finance Committee is primarily responsible for overseeing the financial management of the School, ensuring all School funds are used appropriately and that the right financial decisions are made.
• Premises – the Premises Committee looks at the state of the buildings and grounds belonging to the School, the maintenance required, and health and safety issues, and lettings of the School premises to external bodies.
• Staffing – the Staffing Committee oversees performance management of the Head Teacher, leaders and staff, ensures staffing plans meet the needs of the School and its pupils, and reviews staff feedback and wellbeing needs.

*Parent governors do not sit on any grievance panels.

Each committee meets once every term, with the exception of the Finance Committee which meets four times a year.

In addition, there are also Link governors with areas of specific interest linked to the School Development Plan, including Safeguarding, Inclusion, and Early Years. 

Governors fall into a number of different categories depending on how they get appointed to the Governing Body.  The current Governing Body is constituted as follows:

There are four committees set up by the Governing Body that meet regularly throughout the school year.

Important Governor Documents