ALL OUR GOVERNORS HAVE TO SIGN AND AGREE TO THE FOLLOWING CODE OF CONDUCT
A CODE OF CONDUCT FOR THE GOVERNING BODY
St Joseph’s Catholic Primary SCHOOL 2021-2022
It is the mission of St. Joseph’s Catholic School to provide an education where everything is based on Gospel values.
We are committed to achieving high standards, where all pupils achieve their full potential.
We value and respect all members of our community, establishing relationships which are based on the example of our Lord Jesus Christ.
We aim to develop the whole child, including their moral, spiritual, emotional and social development.
We will develop and maintain meaningful links between school, home, Parish and wider community.
The following is not a definitive statement of responsibilities but is concerned with the common understanding of broad principles by which the Governing Body and individual governors will operate.
The Governing Body accepts the following principles and procedures:
We have responsibility for determining, monitoring and keeping under review the broad policies, plans and procedures within which the school operates.
We recognise that the Headteacher is responsible for the implementation of policy and internal organisation and management of the school, and the implementation and operation of the curriculum.
We accept that all governors have equal status, and although appointed by different groups (i.e., parents, staff, Local Authority, Diocese) our overriding concern will be the welfare of the school as a whole.
We have no legal authority to act individually, except when the Governing Body has given us delegated authority to do so.
We have a duty to act fairly and without prejudice, and in so far as we have responsibility for staff, we will fulfil all the legal expectations as, or on behalf of, the employer.
We will encourage open government and shall be seen to be doing so.
We will consider carefully, how our decisions may affect other schools.
We acknowledge that accepting office as a governor involves the commitment of significant amounts of time and energy.
We will each involve ourselves actively in the work of the Governing Body, attend meetings regularly, and accept our fair share of responsibilities, including membership of committees or working groups.
We will get to know the school well and respond to opportunities to involve ourselves in school activities.
We will ensure that our individual and collective needs for training and development are consistently monitored, and opportunities to undertake relevant training and development are sought.
We will strive to work as a team. Drawing on the model of the person, life and teachings of Jesus Christ, the governing body will strive to develop effective working relationships with:
In forming, building and sustaining good working relationships governors will strive to:
We will observe confidentiality regarding proceedings of the Governing Body in meetings
and from our visits to school as governors.
We will observe complete confidentiality when required or asked to do so by the Governing Body, especially regarding matters concerning individual staff or students.
We will exercise the greatest prudence if a discussion of a potentially contentious issue affecting the school arises outside the Governing Body.
Governors have a general duty to act with integrity, objectivity and honesty in the best interests of the school at all times. Drawing on the model of the person, life and teachings of Jesus Christ, the governing body will strive to behave professionally at all times.
If the need arises to use the sanction of suspending a governor, we will do so by following legal requirements so as to ensure a fair and objective process.
We recognise that removing a governor from office is a last resort, and that it is the appointing bodies which have the power to remove those they appoint.
If the need arises to use the sanction of removing a governor or removing the Chair, we will do so by following legal requirements so as to ensure a fair and objective process.
As a member of the governing body of St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School School I agree to abide by the principles set out in this document.[3]
[1] Christ at the Centre: a summary of why the Church provides Catholic Schools, Rev. Marcus Stock, The Diocesan Schools Commission of the Archdiocese of Birmingham, 2005.
[2] Ibid, p. 9
[3]For a more detailed treatment of the principles highlighted in the present document including the legal status of school governors, please consult the following documentation: ‘A Guide to the Law for School Governors’, Department for Education and Skills, Crown Copyright, 2006, ‘Diocese of Leeds Governors’ Handbook’, The Office for Education and Schools, January 2010, ‘Schools of Discipleship’, Diocese of Leeds, 2008.
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