Secondary
Governors at Blackpool Skills Academy play an important role in providing strategic leadership, oversight and challenge to ensure that the Academy delivers high-quality education, keeps learners safe and operates effectively, responsibly and in line with its statutory duties.
Governors work collectively as part of the Governing Board. The role is strategic rather than operational; governors do not become involved in the day-to-day management of the Academy but provide support, scrutiny and constructive challenge to senior leaders.
The Governing Board has a particular responsibility to ensure that decisions are made in the best interests of learners and that the Academy maintains a strong culture of safeguarding, inclusion, accountability and continuous improvement.
Other Information
Key Responsibilities
1. Strategic Leadership
Governors will:
- Contribute to the development and review of the Academy's strategic vision, values and priorities.
- Ensure that the Academy has clear aims and objectives focused on improving outcomes for learners.
- Support leaders in developing a culture of high expectations, inclusion, respect and ambition.
- Monitor progress against the Academy's strategic priorities and improvement plans.
- Ensure that the needs and interests of learners remain central to strategic decision-making.
- Consider the longer-term sustainability and development of the Academy.
2. Holding Senior Leaders to Account
Governors will:
- Provide appropriate support and constructive challenge to the Principal and Senior Leadership Team.
- Review information relating to learner achievement, attendance, behaviour, destinations and other key performance indicators.
- Ask appropriate and challenging questions to understand the impact of actions taken by leaders.
- Monitor the effectiveness of improvement strategies.
- Ensure that leaders are held appropriately accountable for the quality of education and learner outcomes.
- Maintain a clear distinction between governance and the operational responsibilities of Academy leaders.
3. Safeguarding and Learner Welfare
Governors will:
- Promote a strong culture of safeguarding throughout Blackpool Skills Academy.
- Ensure that safeguarding and child protection arrangements are effective and meet statutory requirements.
- Maintain an appropriate understanding of the current statutory safeguarding guidance applicable to education settings.
- Ensure that the Academy has appropriate safeguarding policies, procedures and reporting arrangements in place.
- Monitor the effectiveness of safeguarding practice through reports, visits, scrutiny and discussion with safeguarding leaders.
- Ensure that particular consideration is given to learners who may be vulnerable or at increased risk of harm.
- Complete required safeguarding training and updates.
- Understand the responsibility of governors to act appropriately should safeguarding concerns arise.
Where appointed as the Safeguarding Link Governor, the governor will undertake additional monitoring and liaison responsibilities in accordance with the Academy's safeguarding arrangements.
4. Quality of Education
Governors will:
- Develop an appropriate understanding of the curriculum and educational provision offered by the Academy.
- Monitor the quality and impact of education, training and support provided to learners.
- Consider how effectively the Academy meets the different needs of its learners.
- Monitor progress, achievement and destinations.
- Seek assurance that learners are being prepared effectively for employment, further education, independence and adult life.
- Consider whether the curriculum supports learners' personal development as well as their academic and vocational progress.
5. Behaviour, Attendance and Personal Development
Governors will:
- Monitor patterns and trends relating to learner attendance, behaviour, suspensions and other relevant indicators.
- Seek assurance that expectations regarding behaviour and attendance are clear, consistent and effective.
- Monitor how the Academy supports learners' personal development, wellbeing and resilience.
- Consider the effectiveness of provision relating to careers, employability, relationships, health, citizenship and preparation for adulthood.
- Ensure that the Academy promotes equality, inclusion, respect and British values.
6. Finance and Resources
Governors will:
- Ensure that Academy resources are used appropriately, effectively and in the interests of learners.
- Scrutinise financial information where this falls within the responsibilities of the Governing Board.
- Seek assurance that appropriate financial controls and risk-management arrangements are in place.
- Consider value for money when reviewing significant decisions.
- Monitor the effective use of staffing, premises and other resources.
- Declare any actual or potential conflicts of interest.
7. Compliance, Risk and Policy
Governors will:
- Ensure that the Academy operates within relevant legal, regulatory and governance requirements.
- Review and approve policies where this is a responsibility of the Governing Board.
- Monitor significant organisational risks and seek assurance that appropriate controls are in place.
- Ensure that equality, health and safety, data protection, safeguarding and other statutory responsibilities are appropriately considered.
- Maintain confidentiality in relation to sensitive Academy information.
8. Governor Meetings and Participation
Governors are expected to:
- Attend Governing Board meetings regularly and arrive prepared to contribute.
- Read meeting papers and supporting information in advance.
- Participate constructively in discussion and decision-making.
- Ask questions which provide appropriate support, scrutiny and challenge.
- Participate in relevant committees, working groups or panels when required.
- Undertake governor visits to the Academy where appropriate.
- Provide reports or feedback following governor monitoring activities.
- Attend relevant training and development.
- Maintain an appropriate understanding of developments within education and governance.
9. Link Governor Responsibilities
Governors may be assigned responsibility for monitoring a particular area of the Academy's work, for example:
- Safeguarding
- SEND
- Careers
- Attendance
- Behaviour
- Curriculum and quality of education
- Personal development
- Health and safety
- Finance
- Equality, diversity and inclusion
A Link Governor is expected to develop an appropriate understanding of their allocated area, meet relevant members of staff, review appropriate evidence and report findings back to the Governing Board.
Link Governors provide oversight and challenge and must not undertake operational management of their allocated area.
10. Confidentiality and Conduct
Governors must:
- Act with integrity, objectivity and honesty.
- Place the interests of learners and the Academy above personal interests.
- Maintain confidentiality where required.
- Respect decisions made collectively by the Governing Board.
- Declare relevant business, financial or personal interests.
- Act in accordance with the Academy's Governor Code of Conduct.
- Maintain appropriate professional boundaries.
- Conduct themselves in a way that supports public confidence in the Academy and its governance.
Person Specification
Essential
A Governor should:
- Demonstrate a genuine commitment to improving outcomes for young people.
- Share Blackpool Skills Academy's commitment to safeguarding and learner welfare.
- Be willing to contribute actively to the work of the Governing Board.
- Be able to analyse information and ask appropriate questions.
- Be able to provide constructive challenge while maintaining positive professional relationships.
- Exercise sound judgement and maintain confidentiality.
- Be willing to undertake training and develop their understanding of governance and education.
- Be able to work effectively as part of a team.
- Demonstrate integrity, fairness and respect for others.
- Be committed to equality, diversity and inclusion.
Previous experience of education or governance is helpful but is not essential, as appropriate training and support can be provided.
Desirable Skills and Experience
The Governing Board may particularly benefit from governors with experience in areas such as:
- Education or training
- Safeguarding
- SEND
- Business or leadership
- Finance or accountancy
- Human resources
- Health and safety
- Law or compliance
- Careers and employability
- Mental health and wellbeing
- Community engagement
- Further education or alternative provision
- Local employers and industry
- Quality assurance
- Risk management
A balanced Governing Board should include a range of skills, experiences and perspectives.
Time Commitment
Governors should be prepared to commit sufficient time to undertake the role effectively. This is likely to include:
- Governing Board meetings
- Reading and preparation before meetings
- Governor training
- Link Governor visits or monitoring activities
- Occasional committees, panels or additional meetings
- Academy events where appropriate
Governors should notify the Chair if they are unable to attend a scheduled meeting.
Safeguarding Statement
Blackpool Skills Academy is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people.
All governors are expected to share this commitment and to understand their responsibilities in relation to safeguarding.
Appointment as a Governor will be subject to the Academy's appropriate suitability, identity and safeguarding checks in accordance with applicable requirements.
Governors must complete safeguarding training appropriate to their role and maintain an up-to-date understanding of their safeguarding responsibilities.
Governor Accountability
Individual governors do not have authority to make decisions on behalf of the Governing Board unless authority has specifically been delegated to them.
Governors are collectively accountable for the decisions of the Governing Board and are expected to support effective, transparent and evidence-based governance.
Review
This job description will be reviewed periodically by the Governing Board to ensure that it reflects the needs of Blackpool Skills Academy and current governance requirements.
Approved by: David Hodge
Date approved: 01/09/2026
Review date: 01/09/2027