Foundation Governors Role
Foundation Governors do not need to be education experts.
The most effective governors listen, think and ask questions.
There is no magic formula about what makes a perfect Foundation Governor, they come from all walks of life and all ages.
What is a Foundation Governor?
Foundation Governors are appointed in the name of the Bishop and form the majority of the governing body of a Catholic school. They have a legal duty to preserve and develop the Catholic character of the school and to ensure that the school is conducted in accordance with its trust deed. Governing boards have three core functions:
- ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction;
- holding executive leaders to account for the educational performance of the organisation and its pupils, and the performance management of staff; and
- overseeing the financial performance of the organisation and making sure its money is well spent.
The ministry of Foundation Governor is an important one, because the Catholic character of our schools depends on committed Catholics being willing to undertake this service. The Bishop is therefore very appreciative of all those who offer to assist him in this vital task.
Responsibilities and Time Commitments
The average Foundation Governor role will take up about 10-12 hours per month. However, this can vary depending on the school calendar or by events, such as an Ofsted inspection.
This commitment includes the minimum requirement of attending three full governor meetings per year and serving on at least one committee.
The committees will focus on areas such as finance, curriculum, pupil progress and site management.
You will also be encouraged to attend training sessions.
