The Local Governing Body

Governors play an important role in the life of the school. They take a long-term strategic view of the way in which the school is developing. Their main function is to ensure that the school improves so that the highest standards possible are achieved in all aspects of school life. In many ways, a governing body is like a board of directors of a company: they make decisions about standards, policies, funding and recruitment of senior staff. The Headteacher and the staff are responsible for the day-to-day running of the school. Governors work with the Leadership Team to implement the School Development Plan. It is the responsibility of the governors to challenge and support the school in its ways of achieving the best for students.

Governors' duties include:

• Promoting high standards
• Setting targets for pupil achievement
• Taking general responsibility for the conduct of the school
• Managing the school's budget
• Making sure that the curriculum is balanced and broadly based, in particular that the National Curriculum and religious education are taught, and reporting on pupils' achievement in National Curriculum assessments and examination results
• Participating in the appointment of senior staff and regulating staff conduct and discipline.

The Governors meets termly as a full body. In addition, there are three subcommittees, which also meet termly:

1. The Learning & Progress Committee
2. The Staffing & Students Committee
3. The Finance & Premises Committee

The Governing Body is made up of a Chair, a Vice-Chair, Parent Governors, Community Governors, Co-opted Governors and Staff Governors.  They are:

• Mrs Anne Field - Chair
• Dr Penelope Smith - Vice-Chair
• Dr Carolyn Cobbold - Co-opted Governor
• Mrs Sue Copperwheat - Support Staff Governor
• Mrs Emma Gilmore - Co-opted Governor
• Mrs Karen Mwaamba - Parent Governor
• Mr Neil Rendall - Co-opted Governor
• Mr Gavin Rowlands - Teaching Staff Governor
• Mr Graham Scrowther - Parent Governor
• Mrs Christine Walls - Co-opted Governor
• Mrs Mary Gould - Ex Officio Headteacher

To make contact with any of the governors, please email governor@matthew-arnold.surrey.sch.uk or write to the Chair of the Governors care of the School.