The Role of a Local Governing Body (LGB)
The role of the LGB is a strategic one. The LGB is responsible for promoting high standards and educational achievement. The school is accountable to the Group Board, and the LGB should ensure that the school meets the requirements of the Group Board.
Responsibilities
The LGB works in partnership with the Principal, the senior leadership team, and senior executives from United Learning to:
- Uphold the values of the school, the ethos and core values of United Learning
- Set the school’s strategic plan
- Monitor the performance and progress of the school, agreeing strategies to achieve continuous improvement, raising standards for all students
- Ensure budgets are allocated effectively reflecting the priorities as set out in the school’s strategic and school improvement plans
- Set key targets
Structure
The LGB meets once per half-term to provide support and challenge to the School’s Senior Leadership Team and to discharge its responsibilities. The Principal attends the LGB and other members of SLT regularly provide updates and presentations at the meetings.
Members of the Governing body visit the school regularly to take part in a range of activities to understand school life, celebrate the School’s success, take part in community activities, and provide strategic input to decisions and hold the Senior Leadership Team to account.
Now that the school is growing in size, the LGB is setting up subcommittees covering finance, safeguarding and vulnerable groups, health and safety, tracking pupil progress and curriculum, teaching and learning.
Each sub-committee is chaired by a ‘link governor’ responsible for that area (these are set out below against individual members). Link governors meet with key staff in their area or sit on the relevant School committee and are responsible for reporting back progress and issues to the LGB.
United Learning appoints the Chair of the LGB who in turn recruits the other governors. The LGB includes strong representation from the local community and also parent representatives. Those appointed have the expertise and experience to complement the goals and ambitions of the school. All LGB members declare that they have no financial or business interest on joining the LGB.
LGB Members
Chair of Governors - Keith Gori
Keith joined the LGB in November 2018. Keith grow up in Lancashire and worked in the education sector for 8 years, prior to joining the civil service, which included 2 years working for United Learning Central Office and therefore he knows the trust very well.
Health and Safety Governor- Simon Bremner
Simon is a Local Councillor for Barking and Dagenham and joined LGB on 1st September 2014. He has lived in the area his whole life, and represented the local community in the council for many years.
Finance Governor - James Bull
James, born and brought up in London, joined the Goresbrook LGB in March 2016. He is a management consultant at a leading professional services' firm in the City, and uses his experience to take a lead on finance for the LGB.
Parent Governor - Primary - Lyshi Soloman
Lyshi joined the LGB in January 2019.