The Local Governing Body of Longwick C of E Combined School

ODBST (Oxford Diocese Bucks Schools Trust) is governed by a Board of Trustees who is responsible for overseeing the management and administration of ODBST and all the academies run by it including Longwick. The Trustees are accountable to external government agencies including the Charity Commission and the Department for Education for the quality of education they provide. They are required to have systems in place through which they can assure themselves of quality, safety and good practice. As Longwick is a Church of England school the Trustees are also accountable for ensuring that the academy provides an education of the highest quality within the context of Christian belief and practice. In order to discharge these responsibilities the Trustees appoint people who are locally based to serve on a local governing body which has been established to ensure the good governance of the school.

The strategic functions of the governing body are ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction: holding the Head Teacher to account for the educational performance of the school, its pupils and the performance management of the staff: overseeing the financial performance of the school and making sure its money is well spent.

The governing body is made up of 12 members: the Head Teacher; the Rector of St Mary’s Princes Risborough (ex officio); 2 Foundation governors appointed by the Diocese; 4 trust governors drawn from the local area, selected because of their skills and interests; 1 staff governor elected by staff members and 3 elected parent governors. With the exception of the Head Teacher, governors all hold office for a period of four years.

On conversion to an academy within the ODBST on 1st July 2018 all governors’ terms of office came to an end. All were reappointed as members of the Local governing body at that time and it was agreed that the expiry date of the original term of office would be observed to facilitate orderly succession planning.

Governor appointments and terms of office

Governor Roles and Responsibilities

The Governing Body meets twice each term and occasionally more frequently if there is urgent business that needs attention. The work is divided between 2 main committees: the Education committee oversees the curriculum and pupil welfare and also reviews most of the school’s management policies: the Resources committee (formerly called Finance & General Purpose committee) has responsibility for the school’s finances, setting the school budget and reviewing the school’s financial performance. In addition the committee monitors staff performance management as well as having responsibility for pay and other HR matters, Health & Safety and premises. The agendas and minutes of all governing body meetings are available to read in school.

Contacting the governors

Governors welcome suggestions, feedback and ideas from parents. Please contact the Chair of Governors, Claire Randall, through the school office or by email to governors@lgw.odbst.org