Process for appointment LA governors (RBWM maintained schools only)
When an LA governor resigns from their position:
- The Clerk to the Governing Body contacts Governor Services to notify RBWM of the resignation of the LA governor and the resignation date.
- Governor Services will update the borough's LA governor records and will ask RBWM to advertise the new vacancy on the borough's website.
When an LA governor approaches the end of their term of office:
- The Clerk to the Governing Body informs the Governing Body of the upcoming end of term, with sufficient notice for the Governing Body to discuss and agree next steps (should be at an FGB meeting.)
- The Governing Body considers whether it would like the LA governor to be considered for re-appointment. This should be on the basis of the LA governor's track record of contribution to effective governance (ie the governor's skillset, experience and value to the board). It is considered good practice for a governor to serve no more than two terms of office at one school.
If the Governing Body decides it would like the LA governor to be considered for re-appointment:
- The LA governor completes RBWM's LA Governor application form (available on the RBWM website, see 'Becoming a School Governor'.)
- The Chair writes to RBWM in support of the application (this can be sent via email to Governor Services.)
- The completed application form and the letter of support are submitted to RBWM.
- RBWM decides whether to recommend re-appointment. The candidate will be advised, via email (at the email address supplied on the application form) of RBWM's decision and the Clerk to the Governing Body will also be notified.
- The Governing Body must ratify the appointment at a Full Governing Body meeting. I.e. the LA governor is appointed by the Governing Body following recommendation of the candidate by the LA.
- If this ratification occurs before the expiry of the previous term of office, the LA governor's new term will start from the day after the final date of the previous term (ie so there is no gap in office). If the previous term has expired, the new term starts on the date of the FGB meeting where the appointment was ratified.
- The Clerk notifies Governor Services that re-appointment has occurred so the borough can update its records.
- The Clerk arranges the update of the governance section of the school website and Get Information About Schools.
For new LA governor appointments:
- The candidate will complete the RBWM's LA Governor application form, as above, and Governor Services will forward the application to the Chair of Governors (or to the Clerk to pass to the Chair.)
- The Governing Body should have a process for considering the application. This can vary - some boards interview the candidate, others invite the candidate to visit the school and meet the Chair, Vice-chair and Headteacher, others invite the candidate to attend a meeting as an observer, which gives also gives both parties the opportunity to ask questions. The purpose of this process is for the Governing Body to decide whether it supports the application, in line with the The Constitution of Governing Bodies of Maintained Schools (in particular see page 8 para 15 on governor recruitment and page 15 section A4 regarding LA governors)
- If, following their consideration process, the Governing Body supports the application, the Chair should write to RBWM to advise of this (this can be sent via email to Governor Services as above) and the completed application form and the notice of support will then be submitted to RBWM.
- RBWM takes the decision whether to recommend appointment.
- The candidate will be advised, via email, of RBWM's decision (at the email address supplied on their application form) and the Clerk to the Governing Body will also be notified.
- The Governing Body must ratify the appointment at a Full Governing Body meeting. I.e. the LA governor is appointed by the Governing Body following recommendation of the candidate by the LA.
- The new LA governor's term of office starts on the date of the FGB where the appointment is ratified.
- The Clerk notifies Governor Services of this date, for the borough's records.
- The Clerk arranges the update of the governance section of the school website and Get Information About Schools.