Our Schools

We are always looking for volunteers. There are no qualifications required and anyone over 18 years of age can become a governor provided that they have the enthusiasm and willingness to learn, have time to give to the role and a capacity to work as part of a team.  We expect our governors to be supportive of our Christian values, however we seek people from different backgrounds with a wide range of professional and personal skills.

Commitments vary from school to school but generally governors can expect to spend 10-20 days per years on their governance role. The governing board has three core functions:

  • To ensure the clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction.
  • To hold executive leaders to account for the educational performance of the organisation and its pupils, and the performance management of staff.
  • To oversee the financial performance of the organisation and make sure its money is well spent.

These core functions cover a host of responsibilities for which the governing board is accountable; for example:

  • Approving the school budget.
  • Performance Management of the Headteacher.
  • Recruiting a new Headteacher when necessary.
  • Approving certain school policies (and ensuring all statutory policies are in place).
  • Hearing appeals for things like exclusions, staff disciplinary and grievance issues and complaints.

In Voluntary Aided schools, the governing board also has additional responsibilities for buildings, admissions, health and safety and the employment and dismissal of staff.The Diocese and the Local Authority provide a wide range of training and support to enable governors to carry out their responsibilities effectively. For more information about training, please refer to Eventbrite.

Categories of Governors in church schools

Every school has an Instrument of Government which sets out the constitution of the governing board.  The different categories of governors in church schools are as follows:

  • Parent Governors, elected by the parent body, 2 or 1 from each school in a federation.
  • Staff Governors, elected by the staff body, 1
  • Co-opted Governors, appointed by the governing board for their specific expertise, as many as board decide are required within the limits of the Instrument of Government.
  • Local Authority Governors, nominated by the local authority to be a link between the Local Authority and the school – appointed by the Governing Board, 1.
  • Foundation Governors, appointments are most commonly made by the Bishop, Diocesan Board of Education or Parochial Church Council. VC/Foundation school: minimum of 2 and maximum of 25% of Governing Board.  VA school, sufficient to be in a majority of 2.
  • Headteacher, member of the Governing Board by virtue of their office, 1.

Foundation governors are the representatives of the Church of England on the governing board and all Church of England schools must have foundation governors.

In Voluntary Aided (VA) schools, they must outnumber all other categories of governor combined by a majority of two. In Voluntary Controlled (VC) schools, there must be at least two foundation governors, but they must not exceed one quarter of the total number of governor places.

The Foundation Governor role can helpfully be thought of as nurturing, encouraging and challenging the school to live out its Christian foundation by:
  • Encouraging positive links between the school, the parish church and the Diocesan Board of Education (DBE)
  • Taking an active role in monitoring the Statutory Inspection of Anglican and Methodist Schools (SIAMS) process and ensuring recommendations contained in the reports are considered and addressed
  • Ensuring that the Christian ethos of the school is encouraged throughout its community and is reflected in its policies and protocols, the curriculum, activities and self-review
  • Ensuring that their own attitudes and behaviour in relation to the school, and the way the Governing Board conducts its business reflect the school’s Christian ethos
  • Supporting the role of clergy in school

Whilst many Foundation Governors are active members of the Church of England, this is not an absolute requirement. Foundation Governors may be appointed who attend church but are not necessarily baptised or communicants. They may be members of other Christian denominations.

There is also discretion to appoint those who are not members of a church or faith community where this is felt to be locally appropriate. However, all candidates must declare that they will uphold the Christian ethos of the school.

The Diocese offers training to all governors in our church schools. The relevant details can be found in the governance section of Supporting Schools & Academies (available as a hard copy and online).

Please be aware that since Supporting Schools and Academies 2026/27 was published, governance administration for VA, VC and Foundation schools is handled by the Diocese of Norwich Education Team. Governors should refer to Eventbrite for booking training.

Governors of DNEAT and St Benet’s Academies should contact the Governance Team via governance@donesc.org for any queries including training.

Governors are strongly encouraged to attend the following courses:

  • Introduction to Governance in Church Schools (there are separate sessions for academies and LA maintained schools)
  • An Introduction to the SIAMS Framework for Governors (for all academies and LA maintained schools)
  • RE – Complying to Statutory Duties: Norfolk Agreed Syllabus, SIAMS and Ofsted (for all academies and LA maintained schools).

Occasionally governors prefer to have bespoke training, or a course hosted by the diocese delivered in their own school to the entire governing body, or with other schools. The cost for bespoke training is £100 for up to two hours (with an initial scoping telephone call)

Contact chris.allen@dioceseofnorwich.org  to discuss your training needs.

For information, advice or support regarding:

  • Training
  • Appointment/reappointment of Foundation Governors
  • Reconstitution of governing boards
  • Federation of governing boards
  • Converting to academy status

Please email governance@donesc.org

Governing boards and individual governors in VA and VC Schools (those outside the Diocese of Norwich Multi Academy Trusts) can also access advice and training from the Local Authority here.

Are you interested in becoming a governor in a VA VC or Foundation school?

Contact Jodie Ballard.

Our Schools
07900926964 jodie.ballard@dioceseofnorwich.org
Diocese of Norwich, Diocesan House
109 Dereham Road

Are you interested in becoming a governor for DNEAT or St Benet's Academy Trusts?

Contact the Diocese of Norwich Education Services Company’s Governance Team

Our Schools and Academies
01603 550150. governance@donesc.org