Canonbury has an active governing body. They act as “a critical friend” to the school, providing strategic governance to ensure that all children get the best possible education. The governing body meets as a whole group each term and delegates its business to a range of committees, where appropriate.
What do we do?
The governing body has an important part to play in raising school standards through its three key roles:
· setting strategic direction
· ensuring accountability
· monitoring and evaluating school performance.
We have responsibility together with leadership team for agreeing the policies for the general running of the school. Our role is crucial:
- We fulfil statutory duties to ensure that the school is a safe, healthy and an inclusive environment
- We provide support and challenge to the leadership team of the school on all issues that affect the learning and welfare of our pupils
The governing body is drawn from the staff of the school, the Local Education Authority, parents and the wider community that our school serves. The usual term of office is four years but many governors stand for re-election and serve more than one term.
If you are interested in the work we do, would like to find out more, have any questions – or are interested in becoming a governor, please contact the clerk to the governing body, Mr Mervin Ellis, at mervin.ellis.camb-ed@Islington.gov.uk, or by post at 222 Upper Street, Islington, London N1 1XR. You can also write to the Chair of the governing body, Mr Andy Jennings, via our school office.
How does the Governing Body work ?
The governing body works by collective decision-making and shared power, not personal power and responsibility. It is the full governing body which has legal duties and powers and all governors share in that corporate responsibility. Governors do not represent the individual interests of parents, staff or any particular group within the school or wider community.
The full governing body meets twice a term but most of our work is delegated to four committees, which also meet twice a term:
· Finance and Premises
· Personnel
· Curriculum and Standards
· Pastoral and Community
All governors are members of the full governing body and sit on one or more of the committees (usually 5/6 governors per committee). Selection for the committees is based on interest and skills.
Who are we?
Our governing body is made up of total of 16 governors which includes the Headteacher and:
Parent Governors (6 places) are elected by parents/guardians of registered pupils and must be parents/guardians at the time of election. Parent governors do not have to leave if their child leaves during their term of office, but they can if they wish to.
Canonbury Parent Governors 2012-13: Aline Littlejohn (Vice-Chair), Harriet Gugenheim, Ian Katz, Nick Turner, Siobhan O’Connell, Ziyad Marar
LA Governors (3 places) are nominated by the Local Education Authority and are often political appointments. LA Governors do not have to be Borough Councillors but are sometimes members of a political party in the area and usually live locally.
Canonbury LA Governors 2012 – 2013: Ann Fielding, Tricia Leman + 1 vacancy
Staff Governor (1 place) is elected by the support staff employed to work at the school. If they leave the school, they cannot remain on the governing body.
Canonbury Staff Governor 2012-2013: Liz Stock
Teacher Governors (2 places) are elected by the other teachers employed at the school. They must be permanent members of staff. Once they cease to work at the school their term of office will be terminated.
Teacher Governors 2012-2013: Annette Brinsden, Gillian Campbell
Community Governors (4 places) are appointed by the governing body. They are often people who live or work locally and are chosen to bring specific skills to the governor team.
Community Governors 2012 – 2013: Andy Jennings, Claire Haviland, Jane Mcdonagh, Truda White
Chair of Governors: Andy Jennings
Headteacher Governor: Matt Britt
Clerk to the Governing Body: Mervin Ellis