CODE OF CONDUCT FOR GOVERNORS OF GREENHOLM PRIMARY SCHOOL

It is important that confidence in the good governance of academies generally and Greenholm Primary School Academy Trust in particular is maintained. In order to assist the governing body in achieving this, the academy has adopted this code of conduct for governors.

The academy:

• Aims to establish a board that is competent, accountable, independent and diverse that promotes best practice in governance.

The academy shall use The Good Governance Standard for Public Services as a guide to help the board achieve good governance but also as a tool to regularly assess the strengths and weaknesses of the academy’s governance practice and improve it.

• Aims to make sure that its governors promote and uphold high standards of conduct and ethics.

Each governor shall uphold the seven principles of public life identified by the Nolan Committee on Standards in public life (May 1996).

• Requires the governors to act in accordance with the academy’s articles of association.

Each governor shall obey the articles and decisions taken by the governing body in accordance with the articles.

Application of the code

This code applies to all governors and committee members of the academy when exercising any of the boards’ power delegated to them under the articles.

By accepting appointment to the board, each governor agrees to accept the provisions of this code.

The good governance standard for public services

The standard prepared by the Independent Commission on Good Governance in Public Services in 2005 comprises six core principles of good governance, each with its supporting principles.

1 – Good governance means focusing on the organisation’s purpose and on outcomes for citizens and service users.

The academy will

• Be clear about the academy’s purpose and its intended outcomes for citizens and pupils
• Make sure that pupils receive a high quality education
• Make sure that taxpayers receive value for money

2 – Good governance means performing effectively in clearly defined functions and roles.

The academy will:

• Be clear about the functions of the board
• Be clear about its responsibilities and make sure those responsibilities are carried out.
• Be clear about relationships between governors and the public.

3 – Good governance means promoting values for the whole academy and demonstrating the values of good governance through behavior.

The academy will:

• Put organizational values into practice
• Behave in ways that uphold and exemplify effecti ve governance.

4 – Good governance means taking informed, transparent decisions and managing risk

The academy will:

• Be rigorous and transparent about how decisions are taken
• Have and use good quality information, advice and support
• Make sure that an effective risk management  system is in operation

5 – Good governance means developing the capacity and capability of the governing body to be effective.

The academy will:

• Make sure that appointed and elected governors have the skills, knowledge and experience needed to perform well
• Develop the capability of people with governance responsibilities and evaluate their performance, as individuals and as a group
• Strike a balance, in the membership of the governing body, between continuity and renewal

6 – Good governance means engaging stakeholders and making accountability real

The academy will:

• Understand formal and informal accountability relationships
• Take an active and planned approach to dialogue with and accountability to the public
• Take an active and planned approach to responsibility to staff
• Engage effectively with institutional stakeholders

Nolan principles

Each governor is expected to the following principles based on the Nolan Committees’ work.

• Selflessness – take decisions solely based on the vision and values of the academy
• Integrity – not to be compromised in carrying duties by outside organisations or personal interest
• Objectivity – remain impartial and ensure choices are made on merit alone
• Accountability – be responsible for decisions and actions
• Openness – give reasons for actions wherever possible and restrict information only when the wider public interest clearly demands
• Honesty – declare any private interests and take steps to resolve any conflicts in a way that protects the public interest
• Leadership – promote these principles by example

Duties and responsibilities of governors

Governors shall

• Fulfill their responsibilities and duties as a governor of the academy in good faith and in accordance with the general law including (but not limited to):

• - Act in the best interests of the academy
• - Secure the proper and effective use of the academies property
• - Act personally in all respects
• - Act within the scope of any authority given to them by law, by regulations or by the articles
• - Use the proper degree of skill and care when making decisions, particularly  when  investing the academy’s funds

• Act in accordance with the articles from time to time

• Be committed to the academy’s values and objectives (including equal opportunities), to contribute to and share responsibility for decisions, to read relevant papers and to attend meetings, training sessions and other relevant events

• Declare all interests they have as required by the articles and the general law and to comply with any rules requiring withdrawal from a meeting where this is required because of an interest

• Respect the confidentiality of information that they have access to as a governor of the academy

• Inform the clerk to governors as soon as possible should any change to their circumstances occur during their term as a governor, including if:

• - There are any changes to the interests which have been declared
• - They become, or cease to be, a company director, board member or trustee of another company or charity
• - Their occupation changes
• - They move house
• - They become employed by the academy

Breaches of the code

Every governor is under a duty to report any breach of this code or any grounds for believing that a breach of the code has occurred to the chair (and if the allegation is about the chair, to the vice- chair)

Failing to report a breach of the code is itself a breach of this code

Any breach of this code will be treated extremely seriously by the governing body and may result in suspension or removal from the governing body

In the event of a breach of this code each governor agrees to participate fully in any investigations procedure instigated by the governing body and to abide by any sanction that may be imposed on them by the board for such breach.

Review

The Head Teacher (Principal) will be responsible for ensuring that this code of conduct is kept under review

The Governing body agrees to review this code on a regular basis – at least annually