This code sets out the expectations on and commitment required from governors in order for the governing body to properly carry out its work within the school and the community.

Introduction

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 as a corporate body

No governor will act on her/his own without delegated authority from the full governing body.

All governors have equal status. Although governors are appointed and elected by different groups, the overriding concern of all governors is the welfare of the school as a whole.

All governors carry equal responsibility for decisions made.

The Role of the Governor

We have a duty to act fairly and without prejudice, and in so far as we have responsibility for staff, we will fulfill all reasonable expectations of a good employer.

We will consider carefully how our decisions might affect other schools.

We will encourage open government and will act appropriately.

Commitment

We acknowledge that accepting the 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 regularly and accept our fair share of responsibilities, including service on committees or working groups.

We will get to know the school well and respond to opportunities to involve ourselves in school activities.

We will consider our individual and collective needs for training and development.

Relationships

We will strive to work as a team.

We will express views openly, courteously and respectfully in all our communications with other governors.

We will seek to develop effective working relationships with our headteacher, staff, parents, the Local Authority, other relevant agencies and the community.

Confidentiality

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 pupils/students.

We will exercise the greatest prudence of a discussion of a potentially contentious issue affecting the school arises outside the governing body.

We will not reveal the details of any governing body vote.

Conduct

In discharging our duties, we will always be mindful of our responsibility to maintain and develop the ethos and reputation of the school.

We will follow the procedures established by the governing body when making or responding to criticism or complaints affecting the school.

Our visits to school will be undertaken within the policy established by the governing body.

Suspension of a Governor

If the need arises to use the sanction of suspending a governor, we will do so by following the School Governance (Roles, Procedures and Allowances) Regulations 2013 to ensure a fair and objective process.

Breach of this Code of Conduct

If we believe this code has been breached, we will raise the issue with the Chair of Governors and the Chair will investigate.

Should it be the Chair who we believe has breached this code, the Vice-Chair will undertake the investigation.

We understand that any allegation of a material breach of this code of conduct will be raised at a meeting of the governing body. If, following an investigation, the governing body agree that the allegation is substantiated, this will be minuted and could lead to consideration of suspension or removal from the governing body.

Mr N Allsopp (Chair)	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Mr E Rowe (Headteacher)	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Mr H Motara (Vice Chair)	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Mrs S George	Yes	Apologies	Yes	Yes
Mrs T Shilcock	Yes	Yes	Apologies	N/A
Mr M Tench	Yes	Yes	Yes	Apologies
Ms E Thompson	Yes	Apologies	Yes	Apologies
Mrs S Kadir	N/A	N/A	Yes	Yes
Mrs N Mustafa	N/A	N/A	Yes (observer)	Yes