School governors provide strategic leadership and accountability in schools. Governors appoint the head teacher and deputy headteacher. It is governors who hold the main responsibility for finance in schools, and it is governors who work with the headteacher to make the tough decisions about balancing resources. 

Each individual governor is a member of a governing board, which is established in law as a corporate body. Individual governors may not act independently of the rest of the governing board; decisions are the joint responsibility of the governing board.  

The role of the governing board is a strategic one, its key functions are to:

• Set the aims and objectives for the school
• Set the policies for achieving those aims and objectives
• Set the targets for achieving those aims and objectives
• Monitor and evaluate the progress the school is making towards achievement of its aims and objectives
• Be a source of challenge and support to the headteacher (a critical friend)

The headteacher is responsible for the internal organisation, management and control of the school and the implementation of the strategic framework established by the governing board. New to governance? Read more about being a governor in Welcome to Governance.

How do I become a governor?

If you think you have what it takes to be a school governor there are a number of ways of finding schools that have vacancies:

• You can contact Arundel Court Primary Academy on 02392 824 893 or email us at arundeli@arundelcourt.com to ask if we need a new governor at our school
• You can contact your local council e.g Portsmouth City Council
• You can use the Inspiring Governance website
• Visit the UNICAT 'Become a Local Governor' page.

Pete has been associated with Arundel Court for over 18 years providing IT support and consultancy services. He started his IT career with Arundel Court as the schools IT support technician. Later he started a business with two of his closest friends, now exclusively supporting primary schools across the south coast region.

Away from work, Pete has a keen interest in volcanology and geology and tries to travel as often as possible to visit volcanoes and mountains around the world, coaxing his wife to join him. Although this hobby has had to take a bit of a pause for the after starting a family and has two girls.

Other interests include 20^th century military history, cinema, American football (Buffalo Bills fan) and enthusiastically collects Star Wars Lego.

Susannah has worked in education since she left university. She taught in primary schools in Birmingham and Northampton before moving into university lecturing where her job is mostly involved with training teachers. She worked at Birmingham University for many years then moved to Chichester University.  She now lives in Southsea with her partner and daughter, and she also has a grown up son who lives and works in London. Susannah loves living in Southsea and since moving here she has developed a love of the Southsea Park Run, sea-swimming and kayaking, all of which she does with much enthusiasm and very little skill. She is also an enthusiastic member of Rock Choir who mostly perform at local charitable events. 

Brian came to Portsmouth 21 years ago to obtain a degree at the university. He fell in love with the city, its people and its history so he decided to settle here permanently. He has been a teacher in Portsmouth for 15 years with 8 of them being at Arundel Court.

In his younger days, Brian played rugby to a national standard and actually played many times against the legendary Jonny Wilkinson – Brian was often on the losing side! He was also a member of a successful band that performed gigs alongside some very famous recording artists.

Outside of school Brian regularly plays bass guitar and drums, he is a passionate armchair viewer of all sports, especially cricket and he is completely obsessed with                                                 Lego.
 

  ​​​​​​                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     Beverly is a mum of four who lives with her partner Jim in Portsmouth.  She has been involved with Arundel Court since 1993 when her twin boys joined the nursery. Beverly has had many roles at the school including being a volunteer, play worker, TA and Family Link worker, she now runs The Hive, a nurture provision at the school. Her passions are trying to help make a difference, spending time with her family and friends, eating, drinking, and pretending to like going to the gym. Recently, through her lovely family, Beverly has discovered travelling and hopes to continue exploring far and wide  

At the end of each half-term, our school governors choose a winner from both upper school and lower school to receive the Governor Shield Award.

The award is always for 'Writing' and will usually have a focus e.g. most improved writer.

Each class hands in a nomination to the governors and then two are chosen.

The nominees each receive a certificate with the two winners' names being added to the Governor shields. 

An assembly is held at the end of each half-term for the winners to be announced.

New Reading Cup Award

At the beginning of the academic year, Governors decided they would award a Reading Cup to go to a particular class every half term.  This will be awarded at the same time as the Governor Shields.

 

The Local Governing Body meets regularly to support and challenge the school. 

Our clerk takes very informative minutes.

Should you wish to see any of the minutes, please contact the school clerk, Mrs McKnight, by email.

NMcknight@arundelcourt.com