Governors' Code of Conduct

Introduction:

The Nolan Committee made recommendations for the standards of behaviour of representatives serving on public bodies. 

The Code of Conduct embraces the seven Nolan principles:

• Selflessness- to act solely in the public interest
• Integrity- not place under obligation to outside individuals or organisation that might seek to influence decision. 
• Objectivity- to make choices on merit for appointments and contracts. 
• Accountability- to be accountable for decisions and available to scrutiny
• Openness- to be open about decisions, only restricting information in the interests of individuals
• Honesty- to declare any private interest relating to their public duty and resolve any conflicts of interest
• Leadership- to promote and support these principles by leadership and example.

The governing body has adopted the following and principles and procedures. Each member of the governing body is bound by the Code of Conduct. 

Commitment:

We will: 

• Ensure that the school is inclusive in all aspects of its work.
• Make a significant commitment to the work of the governing body including:

-Attending governing body meetings regularly.

-Accepting our fair share of responsibility, including service on committees or working groups.                                                                                                         

-Getting to know the school well and involving ourselves in school activities.

• Act fairly and without prejudice.
• Monitor and evaluate our effectiveness as a corporate body and as a community school.
• Participate in appropriate training and development both individually and collectively.
• Abide by the company's policies and guidelines.

General:

We will: 

• Fulfil our strategic, accountability and critical friend roles;
• Maintain and develop the ethos and reputation of the school;
• Support the headteacher in: 

-Promoting high standards of educational achievement                                                                                             

-Promoting and securing the welfare of pupils at the school                                                                                       

-Monitoring and keeping under review the aims and objectives, policies and targets

• Have a clear scheme of delegation to individuals and committees;
• Act with due regard for the well being of children in other schools and communities;
• Value faithfulness, care for justice and collective effort for the common good including a positive option for the disadvantaged;
• Publish the Governing Body's Register of Pecuniary Interests.

Conduct and confidentiality: 

We will:

• Develop the effective working relationships with the community and parent groups, the Local Authority and other relevant agencies;
• Establish a clear procedure through which concerns and complaints can be addressed;
• Actively use the skills and talents of all members of the governing body;
• Encourage the open expression of views within meetings;
• Accept that all decisions are the collective responsibility of the governing body;
• Accept that all discussion in reaching decisions is kept confidential to the meeting when items of business are determined to be confidential, all members of the governing body are bound by that confidentiality;
• Recognising that we have no legal authority to act individually, only speak or act on behalf of the governing body when specifically authorised to do so;
• Undertake our visits to school within the framework established by the governing body and agreed with the headteacher.