As governors of Tunbridge Wells Grammar School for Boys our key responsibilities include ensuring that:
As a governing body we are required to:
The governing body also has legislative responsibility and strategic oversight for the school’s safeguarding arrangements.
The Governing Body comprises 16 governors, including:
In addition, TWGSB benefits from a skilled governance professional and the advice of Associate Members, who bring a wealth of specialist knowledge to the Governing Body.
We have a diverse, inclusive and committed Governing Body, made up of professionally qualified individuals who offer a depth of experience and knowledge across a spectrum of school activities. These include teaching and learning, accounting, finance and banking, media, publications and marketing, IT, technology, government and the charity sector.
Skills audits are conducted annually. At the conclusion of each year we consider what skills we require. We respond to any identified needs through targeted recruitment and/or training and development. This includes Full Governing Body and subcommittee briefings, experience sharing and attendance at training courses.
The standard term of office for a governor is four years, although a number of our governors have extended their terms, providing continuity and sustaining knowledge and experience. Associate Members are appointed for periods between one and four years. While Associate Members are not governors and therefore do not have voting rights at board level they are appointed to serve on named committees and are able to contribute specifically to issues related to their area of expertise. Associate Members have full voting rights on the committees to which they are appointed. We have a good balance of new and established governors and Associate Members, bringing knowledge, experience, challenge and fresh perspectives.
To encourage involvement, for the development of all governors and succession planning, each governor has a designated role as chair or vice-chair of a subcommittee/governor team and/or an important monitoring responsibility.
Consistent with the ethos of the school, all of our meetings are open and friendly. Where appropriate, frank discussions take place and all governors are encouraged to express their views – which they do.
Due to normal rotation, vacancies occur from time to time for new governors and members with relevant skills, experience and commitment. The core commitment is eight meetings per year, four at Full Governing Body and usually four more at one of our subcommittees, all of which are hybrid. A Governor Day is held each year and governors are also expected to contribute to our annual governance plan, giving everyone an opportunity to get to know the school and contribute to its ongoing improvement. If you would like to know more, please contact our clerk, Barbara Maude (bmaude@twgsboys.kent.sch.uk).