Governing Body

Governors are the strategic leaders of a school, supporting the Head Teacher and Leadership Team, and have a vital role to play in making sure every child gets the best possible education.



Our Governing Body

Our Governors come from various areas of the community and give their time and expertise on a voluntary basis. They are part of the largest volunteer force in the country.

The main roles of the Governing Body are to:-

ensure clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction
hold the Head Teacher to account for the educational performance of the school and its pupils
oversee the financial performance of the school and ensure its money is well spent

Our Governing Body is made up of Foundation Governors (appointed by the Diocese), Staff/Teaching Governors (elected by staff at school), Parent Governors (elected by the parents), a Local Authority Governor (appointed by the Local Authority) and the Head Teacher.

Foundation Governors are appointed by the local Bishop specifically to preserve and develop the Catholic ethos of the school and represent the Bishop’s education policy (e.g. worship and religious education) to the governing body. This is why Foundation Governors will always outnumber other governors. Our local diocese manages the process for the appointment of Foundation Governors and provides support to our governing body in carrying out their responsibilities

At St John Vianney’s, the term of office for a Foundation Governor, Parent Governor and Staff Governor is 4 years from the date of their appointment. The term of office for a Local Authority Governor is between 1-4 years and will be determined on appointment. The term of office for the Chair and Vice Chair of Governors, as well as the Chairs of the Committees, is 2 years at our school.

Governing Body meetings are held half-termly and as required for particular functions. The Governing Body is responsible for setting the strategic direction for the school and delegates functions to the committees and individual members. The two committees are Finance and Resources, and Ethos, Standards and Assessment.

Our Governors monitor specific areas of the curriculum (e.g. Health and Safety, Safeguarding, SEND, English, Mathematics etc.), and make regular visits to school to monitor these aspects of the curriculum. Records of these visits can be found on Governor Hub.

If you need to contact any of our Governors, please either leave your details at the school office, telephone, email or write and the Chair/Nominated Governor will contact you by return.