Yearsley Grove Primary School

The Governing Body has a strategic role in the management of the school and its responsibilities include:

• Promoting high standards of achievement and ensuring accountability
• Setting the aims, values and ethos of the school
• Adopting and reviewing policies for achieving these aims and objectives
• Planning the school’s long-term future
• Setting and monitoring the budget to ensure best value for money
• Monitoring attainment and progress data
• Appointing the Headteacher and supporting with other staff appointments

There are four different categories of Governor at Yearsley Grove School:

Parent Governors

Parent Governors are elected by the parents. When a vacancy occurs, parents are informed by a letter from the Headteacher and nominations are invited.

Staff Governors

Staff Governors are elected by their fellow members of staff.  The Headteacher is also a Governor.

Local Authority Governor

Local Authority Governors are appointed by the Local Authority. Anyone may submit an application to the City of York Council Governor Support & Development Service.

Co-opted Governors

Co-opted Governors are chosen and appointed by the Governing Body to bring in additional experience and/or to develop links with the local community.

All Governors have the same responsibilities and an equal say on the Governing Body.

Please see Meet the Governors page to see our current governing body.

What do Governors do?

If you are appointed or elected as a Governor, you will be invited to meet the Headteacher and Chair of Governors for a chat and a tour of the school. The school and the Local Authority will send you induction materials and invite you to some initial training. This normally takes approximately two hours and is offered in the evening only.

The main task for Governors is to contribute to the strategic direction for the school, consider information presented and provide a ‘critical friend’ function.  This is done through the Full Governing Body or Committee meetings. Each Governor sits on one Committee.  Meetings are generally held between 6.00pm and 8.00pm. The dates for Full Governing Body and Committee Meetings are set at the end of the summer term for the following academic year.  See (insert link) to see the meeting schedule for this academic year.

Governors should receive papers at least seven days before each meeting, and it is necessary to read them in advance.

The Governing Body at Yearsley Grove has two Committees.  They are:

• Raising Achievements
• Finance, Premises and Personnel

All Governors (except Staff Governors) are linked to a year group and may also be linked to a particular area of interest, e.g. Health and Safety. We aim to visit our year group once a term and liaise with leads on areas of interest as required.  A very brief report on your visit will be required and shared with the Governing Body.

Governors may also be involved in recruitment activities, particularly the recruitment of a headteacher and may be invited to sit on other recruitment panels.

Governors are expected to adhere to the Code of conduct

What support and training do Governors receive?

In addition to the initial induction training offered by the Local Authority, Governors are able and encouraged to attend other training offered by the Authority throughout the year. Governors all complete compulsory online training around Data Protection, Equality, Diversity & Inclusion, Safeguarding and Prevent. As a governing board we aim to be well-trained across all areas.

Dates of Governors’ Meetings:

Please click on 2024-25 Governor meeting date document to sse meetings for this year

Click on YG Attendance Reg 2023-24 to review Governors attendance last academic year

Contacting the Governors:

If you wish to contact the Governors, please do so by contacting the Clerk, Emma Purvis   emma.purvis@york.gov.uk