The governing body at Oaklands School works with the headteacher and the staff to decide the school’s aims and policies and to oversee the efficient running of the school.

There are 17 of us:

  • Two parent governors (elected by the parents)
  • The headteacher
  • One staff governor (elected by the staff)
  • Thirteen co-opted governors (appointed by the governors from the local community)

We have particular responsibility for:

  • Setting aims and planning for the future of the school
  • Agreeing targets to raise standards of achievement
  • Ensuring the curriculum for the school promotes the spiritual, moral, cultural, mental and physical development of the pupils
  • Managing the school budget by providing the headteacher with guidance, setting priorities and budget monitoring
  • Staffing issues including monitoring well-being and determining salaries
  • Making sure all pupils have equal opportunities within the school and providing for pupils with special educational needs
  • Ensuring there is a high standard of maintenance of the school’s premises
  • Dealing with complaints about the school

The Local Governing Body is a Committee of the Corvus Learning Trust. Most of the business of the governing body is conducted by these committees.

  • Finance and Premises
  • Staffing well-being
  • Curriculum and Standards

Ever considered becoming a School Governor?

The governing body of Oaklands Junior School is always interested in recruiting new members who have the skills that we require. We seek individuals who have an awareness of standards in public life, a determination to abide by them and the integrity to participate in collective decision-making in the best interests of the School.

Governors will be able to demonstrate:

  • An active interest in education and lifelong learning
  • A commitment to delivering academic excellence through innovation
  • An ability to work positively in a team and debate issues in a constructive manner
  • A commitment to promoting equality and diversity
  • The capacity to shape, implement and monitor policy

Desired skills and experience:

  • Human Resources
  • Legal (education, employment, contract)
  • Finance (particularly within the education or charity sectors)
  • Site, building and facilities expertise

We also have a professional Clerk.

All of our Governors have their own careers and responsibilities but they dedicate time to the school when they are able. Our Governors bring a wealth of different experience to the Governing Body which is highly valued. We are all volunteers who wish to make a positive contribution to the school and the education of all its children.

The governing body’s overriding responsibility is to work in partnership with the Headteacher, to promote continuous improvement in the performance of the school. We play an important part in raising school standards through the key roles of setting strategic direction, ensuring accountability and monitoring and evaluating school performance.

The governing body currently meets twice a term with committees meeting on a regular basis. In addition to the work outlined above, the governors review issues relating to behaviour, curriculum, staffing, building maintenance and finances. The governing body makes collective decisions.

Co-opted governors are appointed for a term of 4 years by the governing body to ensure the body has a range of skills and expertise amongst members. We encourage all our governors to attend the excellent training provided by the local authority to ensure we maintain the skills necessary to fulfil our role. There is also a full induction programme for new governors.

If you are interested in this position, please apply in writing with an outline of the skills you feel you could bring to the role.