The Governors of The Weald and Downlands Schools Federation
Welcome to The Weald and Downlands Schools Federation. There has been a growing need for the Governors of all schools to be far more available to parents and to the community that their school serves. Successive Governments have placed more and more responsibility on Governors for the performance and general management of the school, reducing the role of the Local Education Authority. As such there is a need to communicate what the Governors are seeking to achieve and have achieved at Harting School. This webpage is part of that process.
The role of the Chairman is one of ‘first among equals’ in that the Governing Body makes decisions as an entity not as individuals, with many aspects of the school being addressed by specific committees. Besides having to meet statutory and regulatory requirements the Governing Body is responsible for maintaining the ethos of the schools – as a Community school and as a Voluntary Controlled school.
The Governing body of our Federation has been amended to meet the new requirements placed upon such bodies. The Governing Body comprises representatives from the Local Authority (LA) of West Sussex County Council, co-opted governors, Church of England, parents and staff. All Governors work a fixed term of 4 years, except for the Ex-Officio Staff (Head Teacher) and Foundation Governors, though terms can be renewed.
Please find further information on the Governing Body and our work with both schools below.