Could you become a Governor at The Sentamu Academy?

What do I need to have?

Enthusiasm – The academies need people who are committed and are interested in supporting the work of the academies with a desire to make a difference.

Time - To attend meetings (approximately 6 per year) and to read the paperwork issued prior to each meeting carefully.

Interest - In all the students’ future, educational issues and development.

Ability - to work in a team and be happy to ask questions, listen, learn and to accept responsibility.

How long would I be a Governor?

The normal term of office is four years but it is possible to be re-elected or to resign if circumstances change.

What do Governors do?

• Help to decide the priorities for improving the academy;
• Support the vision and values of the academy;
• Work co-operatively with other Governors in the best interest of the academy;
• Attend the meetings of the Local Governing Committee;
• Promote the interest of the academy in the wider community;
• Have an equal right to participate and to state their views whilst respecting the views of others;
• Are loyal to the decisions made by the Local Governing Committee;
• Visit and get to know the academy and the people in it;
• Work in partnership with the Principal to raise standards;
• Respect the confidentiality of those items of business that have been designated as confidential and do not disclose what individuals have said or how they have voted;
• Withdraw from a decision from which he or she or a partner or close relative stands to gain or where he or she is too involved to be objective;
• Participate in training as required.

What is the role of the Local Governing Committee?

• To take a strategic overview of academy related issues;
• To set a broad framework within which the Principal can work;
• To be concerned with the general oversight of academy conduct.

Who is eligible to serve as a Governor?

A governor must be aged 18 or over at the time of their election or appointment and cannot be a registered pupil at the academy. A person cannot hold more than one governorship at the same academy.

A person is disqualified from holding or from continuing to hold office as a Governor or Associate Member if he or she:

• Is detained under the Mental Health Act 1983 during their period of office;
• Fails to attend the Local Governing Committee meetings – without the consent of the Local Governing Committee – for a continuous period of six months, beginning with the date of the first meeting missed (not applicable to ex-officio governors);
• Is subject to a bankruptcy restriction order or an interim order;
• Has had their estate sequestrated and the sequestration order has not been discharged, annulled or reduced;
• Is subject to: A disqualification order or disqualification undertaking under the Company Director’s Act 1986; A disqualification order under Part 2 of the Companies (Northern Ireland) Order 1989; A disqualification undertaking accepted under the Company Director’s Disqualification (Northern Ireland) Order 2002; An order made under section 492(2)(b) of the Insolvency Act 1986 (failure to pay under county court administration order);
• Has been removed from the office of charity trustee or trustee for a charity by the Charity Commissioners or High Court on grounds of any misconduct or mismanagement, or under Section 34 of the Charities and Trustees Investment (Scotland) Act 2005 from participating in the management or control of any body;
• Is included in the list of people considered by the Secretary of State as unsuitable to work with children;
• Is disqualified from working with children or subject to a direction under section 142 of the Education Act 2002;
• Is disqualified from registration for childminding or providing day care;
• Is disqualified from registration under Part 3 of the Childcare Act 2006;
• Has received a sentence of imprisonment (whether suspended or not) for a period of not less than three months (without the option of a fine) in the five years before becoming a Governor or since becoming a Governor;
• Has received a prison sentence of 2.5 years or more in the 20 years before becoming a Governor;
• Has at any time received a prison sentence of five years or more;
• Refuses to allow an application to the Disclosure and Barring Service for an enhanced DBS check.

If you would like to find out more or talk to one of our existing Governors please contact Laura Robinson, Clerk to Trustees, on 01482 781912 or email:

Robinson.l2@sentamuacademy.org