Guest Lecturer - Steve Gullick: What is Education Policy and Practice

From the lecture i have learnt the role of governors in schools around the United Kingdom. I discovered that governors employ and discipline staff. It's also their duty to decide and approve whether a pupil should be permanently excluded. Another being is that they manage what the schools budget should be spent on. Governor's are not qualified experts, so how is it they have so much power. Although if a governor is someone who cares for the school, their decisions are always going to be in the best interests of the school because they want it to do well. Governors must meet at least three times a year and are responsible for the strategic plan for the school for the year ahead.

The head teacher is in charge of the day to day running of the school. This involves planning timetables and lesson plans. There are only a few occasions where you will see a governor and when they will actually attend the school or come into any contact with the teaching staff.
 1) Teacher interviews.
 2) Informal visits.
3) Celebrations; School Play.
4) Staff disciplinary meetings, where if a member of staff has done something wrong, a hearing will be held where the governors will decide on the punishment for the member of staff.

It is important to note that Governors are not paid because they are volunteers who have a great importance in the success of a school. I feel that this is an important aspect as that it shows that their best interests lays with the school, rather than being confused for using the role of being a Governor for financial purposes. It reflects
that the decisions in which they make, they truly do stand by.

Another aspect in which i have further researched is that of Staff disciplinary meetings. These are something in which are compulsory in all learning and educational environments to ensure the safety of all learners and other staff.
offences other than gross misconduct- Verbal Warning
                                                        - First written warning
                                                        - Final written warning
                                                        - Dismissal
                                                        - Procedure appropriate
                                                        - Suspension
                                                        - Appeals
                                                        - Gross misconduct
                                                        - Misdemeanors
Although these are the standard procedures, if the severity of the case is very high, many stages will be skipped.