Do academies have to have a governing body?

[PosieReturningParker]

Just had a meeting with the executive principal who said the governors are really just the PTA and have no policy jurisdiction.

[stupidgreatgrinonmyface]

this would indicate not. Or at least, that governing bodies do not necessarily have to have the same role as they have until now.

[PosieReturningParker]

Now that was a quiet little change wasn't it?

[stupidgreatgrinonmyface]

My cynical side tends to wonder why they don't want to be held to account by a lgb. Given that this particular academy chain has had some schools taken out of its control and only this week has been warned again about the progress of its students, I tend to think it is not entirely honourable. I feel sad for their students. They only get one shot at their education whilst this particular academy chain can just keep experimenting with different systems until they either get it right or have all their schools removed.

[SummerMonths]

I am a governor for an academy school, they all have governing bodies but can set their own articles of association so powers will vary. Our governing body has similar powered to a maintained school.

Ofsted will judge harshly a school with a weak governance model.

[MrsNuckyT]

I am a governor of an academy. Yes they need a governing body. It is taken very seriously because you are effectively a director of a company - registered at company's house etc. Guidance from the national association of governors indicates duties are the same. It is not like a pta!!

[PosieReturningParker]

The academy where my boys are has an executive principal and he said it makes no policy, it's more like a pta.

[SummerMonths]

There will be a Trust that sits above the governors that makes the policies. Our gov body makes most policies but Trust does admissions and staff pay and stuff like that.