Governance
We are delighted to welcome new governors and celebrate with gratitude the work of our existing and reappointed governors and trustees. We hope that the information and schedule of training events below is helpful.
There are 191 Church of England schools within Manchester Diocese. All were founded on Christian Principles and their Instrument of Government requires that their foundation is upheld by maintaining the Christian distinctiveness of the school through its vision, values and leadership of which the Governing Body is an important part.
Governance and working as part of a governing body team is rewarding, interesting and makes a huge difference to the school, its pupils and the local community. All governors on a church school governing body work collectively to ensure the effectiveness of the school as a place of learning, where Christian values flourish, diversity is celebrated and all are welcomed. Good relationships are important in order to provide supportive critique for the headteacher who leads the school on an operational and strategic basis.
All Church of England schools must have foundation governors who are additionally committed to support and promote the Christian foundation on which the school was established (please see the Foundation Governor Policy and training schedule below). In the Diocese of Manchester, we have three types of foundation governor:
- The ex-officio governor – normally the incumbent (local vicar) unless a substitute has been nominated by the archdeacon
- Those appointed by the Parochial Church Council (PCC)
- Those appointed by the Board of Education as a Diocesan Foundation Governor.
A school governor’s term of office lasts for four year, although a governor can step down at any point should the need arise. Ex Officio Foundation Governors remain in post for the duration of their role in parish.
Manchester Diocesan Board of Education offers a range of growing support concerning foundation governance to schools and PCCs. This page will be regularly updated with information concerning Induction and training events. The Diocesan Calendar will also hold future training events.
For further information or enquiries please contact Ruth Gent by email ruthgent@manchester.anglican.org
We look forward to welcoming you as you join upcoming training and events.
Recruitment
Foundation Governor Policy June 2021
Recruiting a New Foundation Governor
Applications
Appointment process for PCC appointed Foundation Governors
PCC Foundation Governor Application Form
Appointment process for Diocesan appointed Foundation Governors
Diocesan Foundation Governor Application Form
Appointment process for Substitute Ex Officio Foundation Governor
Substitute Ex Officio Governor Application Form
Multi Academy Trust Foundation Trustee Application Form
Appointment
Role of Diocesan Governors in Church Schools
Thanksgiving and community celebrations
Manchester Cathedral and other churches across the diocese hold services of Thanksgiving and Celebration for the voluntary service of Foundation Governors when possible.
Admissions Guidance from Manchester DBE
CofE schools should be both distinctively Christian and inclusive communities. The following points will support the development of admissions arrangements.
- Remember your Christian Vision
- Use the CofE Online Admissions Builder Tool
- Follow CofE guidance regarding use of faith based criteria
- If you have faith based criteria, use one of the Diocesan Template SIFs
- Consult with the Diocese before public consultation
email admissions@manchester.anglican.org
All admission authorities must formally agree their admission arrangements every year, even if the arrangements have not changed from the previous year.
Governing Boards of Voluntary Aided schools and Trustees of Academies are the admission authority for the school (the LA is the admission authority for Voluntary Controlled schools).
If the admissions arrangements are being amended, consultation must take place. Consultation must be held at least once every seven years regardless of changes.
Public consultation must last for a minimum of 6 weeks between 1 October and 31 January in the determination year, i.e. before you make your final decision by 28 February.
The law requires you to consult with:
- parents of children between the ages of two and eighteen;
- other persons in the relevant area who in the opinion of the admission authority have an interest in the proposed admissions;
- all other admission authorities within the relevant area (except that primary schools need not consult secondary schools);
- whichever of the governing body and the local authority who are not the admission authority;
- any adjoining neighbouring local authorities where the admission authority is the local authority
Once admission authorities have consulted and formally determined their admission arrangements and recorded this in the minutes of the relevant governors/trustees meeting, they must notify the appropriate bodies and publish a copy of the arrangements on their website displaying them for the whole offer year (the school year in which offers for places are made).
- Consultation window 1 October and 31 January
- Deadline to formally determine admission arrangements - 28 February
- Deadline to publish on school website - 15 March
- Deadline to send copy to LA and notify key stakeholders - 15 March
- Deadline for LA to publicise all schools' arrangements - 15 March
- Deadline for objectors to refer cases to the Schools Adjudicator - 15 May
For further advice regarding admissions please contact: admissions@manchester.anglican.org