Anyone who is eighteen or over, a legal resident of the UK and not disqualified under the School Governance Constitution (England) Regulations 2003 is eligible for the role. You do not need to be a parent or have any particular qualifications to become a governor, enthusiasm and a desire to make a difference are the most important qualities a volunteer can have.

Our Governing body at Middleton Technology School is responsible for the strategic management of the school and will make decisions about a wide range of issues. The core responsibilities involved are:

• Ensuring accountability
• Acting as a ‘critical friend’ to the Head Teacher
• Monitor and evaluate the school’s progress
• Budgetary allocation and control
• Planning for the long term future of the school
• Setting the school’s aims and values
• Appointing senior members of staff including the Head Teacher

• Community Governors - represent the community served by the school and are appointed by the governing body itself.
• Local Authority Governors - appointed by the Rochdale Local Authority. Depending on the area, appointment of local authority Governors may be made on a political basis.
• Parent Governors - usually have children at the school and have been elected to join the governing body by the parent body.
• Staff Governors - elected on to the governing body by staff at the school.
• Associate members - can be appointed in an advisory capacity by the governing body, but have no formal voting power.

Governors spend approximately 6-8 hours per month on the role – the time varies for each Governor and depends on how many sub-groups they attend. The main two sub-committee meetings at Middleton Technology are Curriculum and Staffing and Resources. We hold meetings each half term and preparatory reading for the meeting is required. These committees meet separately from the main governing body to discuss relevant issues in more detail. Discussion is then fed back at a full governing body meetings.

• Understand and respect its statutory role and purpose.
• Recognise the shared commitment to school improvement and securing the best outcomes for every child.
• Respect Governors as volunteers who bring other skills, experiences and perspectives, and value their contribution.
• Work openly with the governing body and provide clear, concise and relevant information on which to base decisions.
• Enable all governors to become involved in the life of the school.
• Contribute to the induction, training and development of Governors.
• Ensure that where educational jargon is unavoidable it is at least explained.

• Enhance the work of the governing body to enable a strong focus on raising standards, so that every child achieves their potential.
• Demonstrate their commitment by getting to know the school and becoming involved in school life and activities.
• Take personal responsibility for their ongoing training and development.
• Prepare for meetings so they are well informed, having at minimum read all of the papers sent out with the agenda.
• Attend meetings (governing body/committees/working group) and play an active part.
• Support the school with parents and in the community.
• Recognise the corporate status of the governing body and the concept of collective responsibility.
• Respect confidentiality and the need to act with circumspection.