The Governing Body's main role is to provide an excellent standard of education for all pupils.

• It is accountable for the quality of education and for the standards of attainment and progress
• It helps shape the school's future strategic direction
• It monitors and evaluates the performance of the school
• It makes decisions about the school's budget and staffing
• It makes sure that the school is inclusive and provides for all its pupils, including those with special educational needs
• It decides how the school can encourage pupils' personal, spiritual, moral and cultural development

As governors, we do not intervene in the day-to-day management of the school. This is the responsibility of the Executive Headteacher and Head of School. Governors govern rather than manage and are there to provide direction and contribute to the strategic direction of the school.

The full governing body meets once each term. We hold additional committee meetings to consider such things as the school's finances. STA governors love to visit the school to meet with staff and pupils, as well as attending school events. We take part in staff appointment panels and if necessary hold parental complaint panels and disciplinary hearings.

Governors demonstrate their commitment to the school by:

• Showing an interest and participating in many of the school's activities
• Attending governors' meetings  
• Visiting during the day
• Getting to know the staff, pupils and their work
• Offering support and expertise
• Attending governor training sessions

The Constitution of the Governing Body

At STA there are a total of 12 governors. The governing body comprises different types of governors who each bring expertise and a different perspective to the team: 

3x Parent Governors elected by parents and carers of registered pupils. Parent governors must be parents/carers 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. If there is a potential vacancy, nominations are sought from parents. If more nominations are received than the vacancies available, then an election takes place. If insufficient parents stand for election, the governing body can approach a parent/carer of the school to become a governor.

1 x Authority Governor nominated by the Local Education Authority (LEA). Applications for this role are sent to interested parties, once received they are forwarded to an officer panel for consideration. Once agreed, the application is given to the cabinet to be agreed. LEA appointments can only be removed from office by the officer panel. It is not the decision of the governing body.

1 x Staff Governor. Staff governors are appointed by the staff employed to work at the school. If they leave the school, they cannot remain on the governing body.

6 x Co-opted Governors who may include the Head of School and 1 other member of staff. Co-opted governors are appointed by the governing body and, in the opinion of the governing body, have the skills required to contribute to the effective governance and success of the school. Staff governors must be permanent members of staff and their term of office will cease if they leave the school.

Associate Governors are invited to the governing body, usually because they offer particular expertise or skills.

The Executive Headteacher is a governor by virtue of their office.

The term of office for all governors is 4 years.

If you would like to become a member of our governing body, look out for vacancies and information about governor elections on this page. 

Membership and Register of Interest

Terms of Reference Resources Committee

Terms of Reference Teaching and Learning Committee

Terms of Reference Partnership Committee

A guide to becoming a parent governor at Sir Thomas Abney

Qualifications and disqualifications to serve as a parent governor