As an Academy from April 2011, the Governing Body consists of 20 Governors plus a clerk, who are, (as of September 2011):
7 Parent, elected by parents:
Mr K Bass
Mr N Colley
Mr S Cross
Mrs L Gilfedder
Mrs T Hewer
Mr P Raine
Mr G Shephard
9 Community, appointed:
Mrs U Ahmed
Mr C Dummer: Vice Chair & Member
Mr G Hartshorn: Chair & Member
Mr D Langford
Mr D Lewis
Mrs A Scott: Member
Mrs Y Woodcock
Vacancy
2 Teaching Staff, elected by Teaching Staff:
Mr P Plunkett
Mrs V Stapleton
1 Non-Teaching Staff, elected by Non-Teaching Staff:
Mrs C Mills
Headteacher: Legal requirement
Dr S Patel: Member
Clerk: appointed by Governors
Mrs S Odell

It is interesting to note that most of the non-parent Governors are parents of ex-students of the school.

Governors serve a term of 4 years, except for the Headteacher, but can be re-elected or re-appointed at the end of their term.

As an Academy, the Members (see 'Academy Status') are shareholders of the Academy Trust which owns the school and the site for educational purposes. The Governing Body has the delegated authority to operate the school on behalf of the Trust. It is the employer of all staff, including catering and cleaning, and acts as its own Admission Authority, in liaison with the LA Co-ordinated Admissions Arrangements.

The role of the Governing Body is one of a 'critical friend'. It is there to support and advise the Headteacher and the Leadership Team, and oversee the running of the school. It does not get involved in its 'micro management'. The Governing Body provides the strategic vision for the school by setting aims, objectives and targets to ensure it is a place where students want to learn and teachers want to teach.

The Governing Body meet fully, normally once per term, but operate a number of smaller committees with delegated powers, which also meet once per term. Currently these committees are:
Steering Group
Finance, Buildings and Site
Personnel and Salaries
Child and Community
Curriculum and Standards

Each committee has its own relevant duties and terms of reference. A Governor has a right to attend any meeting, but a Governor who has a specific interest or skill, will usually nominate his / herself for membership of one or more of these committees. In this way, there are less rigorous demands on their time. There are other statutory and non-statutory committees that are convened as necessary e.g. Exclusion and Staff Disciplinary Committees.

 

If anyone is interested in becoming a Governor at The Hayfield School, please contact the Clerk to the Governors at the school.