Successful schools tend to be those that are run well and where the head, the leadership team, staff and the Governing Body work together as a team. If relationships break down in a school between one or more of these parties, the repercussions can be serious.
Frequently schools experiencing conflict will see adverse effects in all areas of school life. Under statutory intervention requirements as underpinned by provision of the 2006 Education Act, Governing Bodies must ensure they are familiar with the responsibilities placed on Local Authorities in identifying actual or likely schools that are failing: Statutory Guidance for Schools causing Concern
Relationships can break down for a number of reasons. For the Governing Body and the head, it may be in relation to performance management.
For the Governing Body and the Local Authority, it may a disagreement over areas of responsibility or perceived lack of support when a Governing Body deals with staff discipline issues. The Governing Body will occasionally find itself in a situation where it is the arbitrator in a dispute between school and Local Authority with both parties aggrieved by the Governing Body’s attempt at meditation.
The vast majority of Governing Body - Local Authority relationships appear positive but where disagreements occur, it is usually where the Governing Body feels that the Local Authority is intruding on its remit and responsibilities.
There have been a number of calls where governors have felt that their Local Authority has shown unwelcome pressure in recruitment and appointment of a head or where a Local Authority has requested a person suspended but not provided sufficient information to the Governing Body to explain why this is the case.
In these situations, the Governing Body often feels that it is in the weaker position because the Local Authority is very effective in supporting its views through interpretation and citation of law and guidance. The Governing Body are often told what the position is without having the resource or ability to establish the position themselves. This often leads to feelings of disempowerment.
GovernorLine advisors frequently find themselves in a position where they are asked to provide a neutral interpretation of the issue at stake. Within school, the main issue of concern that appears to arise between the Governing Body and the head is breakdown in communication.
In these situations, GovernorLine advisors will emphasise the importance of starting communication and dialogue as soon as possible and there are a number of techniques and strategies that they can explore with callers to enable this successful first step.
A joint agreement was made between the National Governors Association and the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL) and the National Association of Headteachers (NAHT) that seeks to provide some guidance on Headteachers and Governors working together.
If the relationship has broken down seriously, the Governing Body may be advised to contact the liaison officer at the Local Authority to act as a mediator. With governing bodies meeting on average 3-4 times a year, it is understandable that disagreements can occur that are not addressed as quickly as would be ideal.
This guidance was last updated in August 2009.
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