At St. Gabriel’s C.E. Primary School, the Governing Body plays a vital role in helping the school to grow and succeed. While the Department for Education’s Governors’ Handbook sets out governors’ responsibilities in detail, their work can be summed up in three main areas:

1. Providing Strategic Direction

   • Helping to shape the vision, values, and future priorities of the school.

   • Reviewing and agreeing key policies and targets.

   • Monitoring progress and evaluating how well the school is meeting its aims.

2. Acting as a Critical Friend

   • Working closely with the Headteacher and staff.

   • Offering both support and challenge to make sure decisions are well thought through and in the best interests of pupils.

3. Ensuring Accountability

   • Making sure resources are managed effectively and used to benefit all children.

   • Listening to the views of parents and the wider community, and asking the right questions.

   • Being answerable to parents, the local authority, and the community for the school’s performance.

Our Governing Body is made up of volunteers from across the school community — including parents, staff, local authority representatives, and other members of the community. This brings a wide range of perspectives and experience to our work.

It’s important to note that while governors may be elected or appointed by particular groups, they do not represent those groups directly. For example, parent governors are chosen by parents but act in the role of representative parents, sharing their own views and judgement rather than speaking on behalf of others.

Information about Governing Body Members