Governing Body

Welcome to our school!

We hope this introduction will explain more about the role of the Governing Body and how it fits within the formal leadership structure of the School.

The Governing Body has a statutory duty to hold the School and its Senior Leadership Team to account. Our Governing Body membership is a mix of elected parents and members of the community, together with a Local Authority representative. We are supported by a Clerk to the Governing Body.  Our clerk is Mrs Julie Roe.

The Governors of The Discovery School are:

 For Governor dates of appointment and appointing bodies please click here

The Governing Body is separate from our fantastic Friends of Discovery School (FODS), the registered charity which works hard to raise money for the school. Further information on FODS, our parent/teacher association (PTA), can be found in the section of the website by clicking here. We hope to see you at some of its upcoming events.

Click here to view a short video on 'The Role of School Governors and Trustees'

With best wishes

Annabel Cornall
Chair of Governors

The Governing Body Roles and Responsibilities:

The Governing Body is established according to an “Instrument of Government” which is recorded and agreed with Kent County Council.

Governors are a mix of Parents, Local Authority, Staff, the Headteacher and Co-opted Governors, as set out in the Instrument of Government. The Co-opted Governors are appointed to maintain a good blend of experience and skills on the team.

Governors normally serve for a fixed term of 4 years. Parent Governors are elected by parents with each individual parent having a single vote.

What do we do?

Some high-level key tasks are:

• ensure the safety and wellbeing of all children (Safeguarding is our top priority)

• set the strategic direction, vision and ethos of the School

• monitor and challenge the progress of children in our school

• recruit and performance manage the Headteacher

• ensure the School meets its statutory responsibilities

• ensure financial probity

• ensure the premises are well managed

The Discovery School Governing Body – Governance Impact Statement 

Working with the Headteacher, the Senior Leadership Team and school staff, the Governing Body has contributed to all core functions, including, but not limited to;

•  Ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction.
•  Holding the Headteacher to account for the educational performance of the school.
•  Ensuring the finances of the school are utilised appropriately and managed effectively.

To fulfil these responsibilities there have been six formal meetings this year. There has also been monitoring in key areas to support the school’s development plan.  Governors have been mindful of the pandemic and the added pressures this has placed on the school community whilst providing appropriate support and challenge where necessary.  When it was safe to do so, Governors have conducted pupil voice activities, talking to the children about their remote learning experiences and their views on well-being.

In addition, here are some specific examples of the impact the Governing Body at The Discovery School has had:

• Being part of the Outstanding Ofsted judgement for the Leadership and Management of the School
• Continuing to engage with our local community, working with stakeholders on our vision for sustainability in schools
• Participating in training and development on aspects of school leadership including Safeguarding, Cyber Security and Financial Compliance