Knowledge Centre

Every School a Good School – The Governors Role

“Every School a Good School – The Governors Role” is a DE reference guide outlining the roles and responsibilities of school boards of governors.

It provides school governors with access to key information on a variety of school management issues relating to a range of their responsibilities.

Although the range of responsibilities within the guide is significant, governors do not need to be experts to manage them. Help and advice is available from various sources including the school principal, the EA, Catholic Council for Maintained Schools (CCMS), Northern Ireland Council for Integrated Education (NICIE), Governing Body Association (GBA), Controlled Schools Support Council (CSSC) and Comhairle na Gaelscolaíochta (CnaG).

The Governor Guide is available to download from the DE Website along with the Every School a Good School Policy document.

Every school must have a Scheme of Management approved by the Department of Education.

Schemes of Management provide for:

The membership and procedure of the Board of Governors;
The management of each such school;
The functions to be exercised in relation to each such school by the Board of Governors, committees of the board of governors and the principal;
Such other matters as are required or authorised by the Education Authority.

Scheme for the Management of Controlled Schools

Scheme of Management for Catholic Maintained Schools

Guide to Meetings and Committees

Guidance on organising and running meetings

Part VII of the Scheme of Management sets out procedures and guidelines for holding meetings and committees. The Board of Governors is required to operate in accordance with the Scheme of Management which reflects good management, practices and procedures.

Articles 32 to 61 of the Scheme for the Management of Controlled Schools give comprehensive guidance on running meetings and committees including the frequency of meetings, remote attendance and how agendas and minutes should be structured.

You can view the Scheme of Management here.

Emergencies

Article 22 of the Scheme for the Management of Controlled Schools covers the power of Chairperson or Vice Chairperson of the Board of Governors to act in cases of urgency.

Non-Attendance at Meetings of School Governors

Article 8(3) of the Scheme for the Management states:

Where a voting or co-opted member is absent from three consecutive meetings of the Board of Governors, or for six months consecutively, whichever is the greater period, the secretary shall report the matter at the next meeting and, unless the Board of Governors is satisfied that his/her failure to attend was occasioned by illness or other unavoidable cause, the member shall be deemed to have resigned his/her membership and shall cease to be a member.

Routinely, the principal as secretary to the BOG will have an overview of the Governor attendance and will discuss this with the Chairperson where an emerging issue is noted. This may differ from school to school. The priority is to act promptly to identify any issues affecting a governor’s ability to attend meetings on a regular basis.

Where the chair/principal are not satisfied with the reasons given for absence, the chair/principal may wish to make contact with the governor to ascertain the nature of the absence and inform the governor of the Scheme of Management requirement regarding attendance. This call should be pastoral in nature, and should seek to identify any support the governor may require to improve attendance.

The Chairperson may wish to contact the School Governance Service for guidance on how to proceed.

Schemes of Management

How to Report a Governor Resignation

Arrangements for Notifying Governor Resignations from Boards of Governors in Controlled Schools

Notes

The following outlines the means by which governor resignations should be notified to EA. Governors are appointed to various designations through separate arrangements, and the arrangements for governors to notify their resignation differ accordingly.

Where the governor is required to notify their resignation to a body other than EA, that body should notify EA at the earliest opportunity by contacting [email protected]. Relevant bodies should ensure they have received confirmation of a governor’s resignation in writing, (and forward a copy to EA wherever possible).

Governor Designation	Appointment Process by which the governor was appointed	Governor to notify their resignation to the relevant body as follows	Next Steps	Notes / Additional Information
EA Governor	Application to EA	EA	Governor informs EA	Governors can notify their resignation to [email protected]
DE Governor	Application to DE	DE	DE informs EA	Governors can notify their resignation to [email protected]
Parent Governor	School-led Election Process	School	School copies letter of resignation to EA	Parents will usually write to the principal as secretary to the board of governors
Teacher Governor	School-led Election Process	School	School copies letter of resignation to EA	Teachers will usually write to the principal as secretary to the board of governors
Transferor Governor (Primary)	Nomination from those with ‘Rights of Nomination’	Nominating body (or to the school where the governor is unclear who the nominating body is)	Nominating body informs EA	Those with rights of nomination are routinely church bodies, or other bodies from which the schools historically transferred
Transferor Governor (Post Primary)	School-led process routinely an election type process	School	School copies letter of resignation to EA	Post Primary Transferors will usually write to the principal as secretary to the board of governors. Where a Post Primary Transferor is also resigning a governor role at Primary School(s), they should also notify the relevant nominating body as outlined at point 5 above.
Trustee Governor (Controlled Integrated Schools Only)	Nomination from Nominating Trustees	Nominating body (or to the school where the governor is unclear who the nominating body is)	Nominating body informs EA
EA-Appointed Transferor or Trustee Governor	Application to EA	EA	Governor informs EA	Transferor or Trustee Governors are appointed directly by EA in certain circumstances. Governors can notify their resignation to [email protected]
Co-opted Governor	Discussed and agreed at a meeting of the board of governors	Board of governors	Board of governors informs EA	Usually principal as secretary to board of governors will notify EA of the decision to appoint, and of the resignation, and will forward the relevant board of governor minutes.

Co-opted Governors

The Education Reform (Northern Ireland) Order 1989 The Education Reform (Northern Ireland) Order 1989 enables schools to co-opt up to three non-voting members to the Board of Governors. Article 122 states “The voting members of the Board of Governors of a grant‐aided school may co‐opt not more than three persons to be members of the Board of Governors of the school”.

A co-opted governor will normally bring an area of specialist knowledge or experience to the governing body of a school. A co-opted governor is a person appointed by the Board of Governors who, in the opinion of the governors, has the skills required to contribute to the effective governance and success of the school. They will also need to be eligible to be a governor in line with the relevant scheme of management. Scheme of Management | Education Authority Northern Ireland.

In controlled schools, where the voting members of the board of Governors agree to co-opt any persons to be a member, this should be recorded in the minutes of the meeting. The principal, as secretary, should write to EA to provide details of the co-opted governor(s), including the person’s contact details using the following link ([email protected]). An officer of the School Governance Service will contact the person directly to ensure that they are eligible in line with the scheme of management, by asking that they complete a declaration form.

The School Governance Service will also arrange for each confirmed appointment to be noted by the Membership and Teaching Appointments Committee (MTAC) at the earliest opportunity.

The Scheme for the Management of Controlled Schools (SOM) Scheme for the Management of Controlled Schools refers to co-opted governors in different Articles, and schools and co-opted governors should familiarise themselves with any references.

As a brief guide it would be useful to be aware of the following:

A co-opted governor is a non-voting member of the Board of Governors
Each co-opted governor’s term of office should be specified, and should be no more than the term of office for the full Board of Governors (SOM Article 7)
A co-opted governor is expected to resign in the normal way should they wish to discontinue. The school should notify EA that they have resigned. (SOM Article 8)
Co-opted governors should be named in the annual report of the board of governors. (SOM Article 19)
Co-opted governors can only be co-opted by the Board of Governors and not by a Committee thereof, or by the principal. (SOM Article 23 (ii) and Article 27 (1)(b))
Co-opted governors shall not sit on a Committee convened to carry out functions under the EA Teaching Appointments Scheme. (SOM Article 24 (6)(a))
Co-opted governors must disclose all family or other relevant relationships, in writing in the same way as voting governors are required to do, and shall withdraw from meetings when required. (SOM Articles 45 and 46)
Co-opted governors must disclose all pecuniary interests, in writing in the same way as voting governors are required to do and shall withdraw from meetings when required. (SOM Article 48)
A co-opted governor cannot vote on any matter, except at a Committee established to consider appeals against staff dismissal. (SOM Article 55)
As a non-voting member of the Board of Governors, a governor who has been co-opted is not permitted to chair any meeting of the Board of Governors of Committee thereof. Governors may be required to vote on any matter, and in the event of an equal division of votes, the chair has a second or casting vote. (SOM Article 55 refers)

The following good practice guidance may also be helpful:

Where a Board of Governors agrees to co-opt a governor to provide support with a particular item(s) of business, they may determine that the governor should only be invited to attend meetings to discuss that item, or they may determine that the governor will be invited to attend all meetings of the Board of Governors. The co-opted governor will be required to declare any potential conflicts of interests and withdraws from meeting as required by the relevant Articles in the SOM.
Co-opted governors are also encouraged to attend governor training in the same way as all other governors.
Co-option should always be in the best interests of the school.

The EA Learning Portal Area for School Governors contains a series of online learning opportunities.

Your account lets you access all your documents, videos, discussions and any communications from one easy place.

Links and login information is contained in the Board of Governor Training Programme which is available from your Principal.

If you experience any problems please email [email protected]

The links below can be used to view the current opportunities and useful information for new governors:

List of courses and induction guidance

Useful videos

EATV

The Nolan principles are seven rules that describe how people in public office should behave and the ethical standards they should uphold. They apply to all school governors because they apply to anyone elected or appointed to public office.

They are named after Lord Nolan who chaired a committee in 1995 which examined standards in public office. All governors should accept the Nolan principles, which are also known as the “seven principles of public life”.

Selflessness

Holders of public office should act solely in terms of the public interest.

Integrity

Holders of public office must avoid placing themselves under any obligation to people or organisations that might try inappropriately to influence them in their work. They should not act or take decisions in order to gain financial or other material benefits for themselves, their family, or their friends. They must declare and resolve any interests and relationships.

Objectivity

Holders of public office must act and take decisions impartially, fairly and on merit, using the best evidence and without discrimination or bias.

Accountability

Holders of public office are accountable to the public for their decisions and actions and must submit themselves to the scrutiny necessary to ensure this.

Openness

Holders of public office should act and take decisions in an open and transparent manner. Information should not be withheld from the public unless there are clear and lawful reasons for so doing.

Honesty

Holders of public office should be truthful.

Leadership

Holders of public office should exhibit these principles in their own behaviour and treat others with respect. They should actively promote and robustly support the principles and challenge poor behaviour wherever it occurs.

Collection of useful documents, guidance and templates around privacy, health and safety, child protection and complaints.

Policies and Guidance

Safeguarding & Child Protection for Governors

Transformation to Controlled Integrated Status Governor guide to Membership and Scheme of Management

The Education Authority (EA) has a statutory duty to encourage, facilitate and support integrated education. Therefore, EA will advise schools interested in transformation across a range of operational areas including governance. Should a school transform to become a Controlled Integrated School, EA will support the constitution of the new Board of Governors.

Below are some frequently asked questions in relation to the constitution of a Board of Governors for a newly transformed Controlled Integrated School.

Constitution of a Controlled Integrated School’s Board of Governors

What support will the EA School Governance Service provide to a school transforming to Controlled Integrated status?

Once a school’s Development Proposal is agreed, an officer from the School Governance Service will be assigned to assist and advise the school in the constitution of their new board.

When can a school begin to constitute their Board of Governors?

“Legal changes such as reconstituting the Board of Governors must not happen until the Development Proposal is approved” as per ‘INTEGRATION WORKS TRANSFORMING YOUR SCHOOL’ - Department of Education 2017 (Pg. 18).

The process of preparing to constitute a new board can begin once the Development Proposal is approved, with the aim of having the new board in place by the official date on which the school transforms to controlled integrated status or as soon as possible thereafter.

What is the composition of the Board of Governors of a Controlled Integrated school?

The Board of Governors will be constituted to reflect the membership required by law of a Controlled Integrated school. The table below sets out the required membership of a Controlled Integrated Board of Governors by category. The table does not include membership of the principal (who will normally serve as secretary to the board) and any co-opted governors.

Membership of Boards of Governors of Controlled Integrated Nursery, Primary and Post Primary Schools

No. of governors on Board	Foundation governors	EA governors	DE governors	Parent governors	Teacher governors
14	2 Transferors 2 Trustees	4	0	4	2
21	3 Transferors 3 Trustees	6	0	6	3

No. of governors on Board

Foundation governors

EA governors

DE governors

Parent

governors

Teacher

governors

14

2 Transferors

2 Trustees

4

0

4

2

21

3 Transferors

3 Trustees

6

0

6

3

What is the legal basis for the appointment of each category of governor?

The legal basis of the composition of the Board of Governors of a Controlled Integrated school is set out in the Education Reform (Northern Ireland) Order 1989.

Summary of Governor Appointment Procedures as set out in the Education Reform (Northern Ireland) Order 1989

Category of Governor	Process
EA	Potential governors complete and submit form to EA. Application considered through EA selection process. Apply to become a Governor \| Education Authority Northern Ireland (eani.org.uk)
Parent	School organises process - School advises EA of elected parent governors using Appendix E from ‘Guidance for the Election of Parent Governors in Controlled Schools’ Election of Parent and Teacher Governors \| Education Authority Northern Ireland (eani.org.uk)
Teacher	School organises process - School advises EA of elected teacher governors using Appendix D from ‘Guidance for the Election of Teacher Governors in Controlled Schools’ Election of Parent and Teacher Governors \| Education Authority Northern Ireland (eani.org.uk)
Transferor	Primary Controlled Integrated Schools: Schools transforming from Controlled status - EA will seek nominations for transferor positions. Schools transforming from Maintained status - EA will appoint EA transferors. Potential governors complete and submit form to EA. Application considered through EA selection process. Post-Primary Controlled Integrated Schools: Elected from among the transferor governors nominated to feeder controlled primary schools (including controlled integrated primary schools) in the locality served by the school. Schools organise the process in liaison with the School Governance Service.
Trustee	EA will seek nominations from the Catholic Schools Trustee Service (CSTS). Where the nominator is not in a position to nominate, EA will welcome applications from potential governors to be considered through the EA selection process.

Membership of the Board of Governors is official once the Declaration of Acceptance of Membership Form has been signed and received by EA.

What input can a school have regarding the appointment of EA Governors?

Schools should consider skills they may particularly wish potential governors to have, and this can be highlighted to EA to inform the process of appointment through the completion of the Board of Governors Skills Analysis form.

The school may also encourage or invite individuals with specific competencies or skills to apply to be considered as EA governors.

Can current governors stay in post?

No, the current governors were appointed to serve on the Board of Governors of a school that is transforming to become a Controlled Integrated school. On the proposed implementation date, the school effectively becomes a new school and therefore the newly constituted Board of Governors must be in place on the implementation date or as soon as possible thereafter.

Can current governors apply to become governors in the new school?

Yes, if the applicant is a current governor this can be stated on the application form. Applicants can also state their preference for the school and their desire to continue to support the school in its new form.

Current governors in other roles (transferor/trustee/parent/Department of Education) may wish to apply to become an EA governor. Teacher governors cannot apply to become EA governors in a school in which they teach.

The New Board of Governors in Operation

Do newly transformed schools need to publicise the composition of their Board of Governors?

Yes. The new structure for the Board of Governors should be included in the school prospectus. The make-up of a Board of Governors is set out in Schedule 4 to the Education and Libraries (Northern Ireland) 1986 Order as amended by Article 89 of the Education Reform (Northern Ireland) Order 1989 and Schedule 5 to the Education (Northern Ireland) 1998 Order. (Pg.21 ‘INTEGRATION WORKS TRANSFORMING YOUR SCHOOL’ Department of Education 2017).

Which Scheme of Management will a transformed school operate under?

Newly transformed Controlled Integrated schools will operate under the ‘Scheme for the Management of Controlled Schools’.

Scheme of Management | Education Authority Northern Ireland (eani.org.uk)

What policies and procedures does a Controlled Integrated school operate under?

A Controlled Integrated school will operate using the same policies and procedures as any other controlled school.

What training can a Board of Governors of a Controlled Integrated school access?

The EA Learning Portal Area for governors contains a series of online learning opportunities to support governors in their various roles. An induction course for new governors is available as well as a specific course entitled Governors New to Integrated Education created by EA and NICIE. These and a variety of other courses can be accessed through the School Governor Training Portal Governor Training & Resources | Education Authority Northern Ireland (eani.org.uk)

Additional training needs may be facilitated through EA Sectoral Support.