Governance is the process by which any organisation or group organises in order to be able to make decisions. In schools, this includes the governing body, who are responsible for scrutiny of decisions made in school and for driving improvement, and the processes and policies which allows the school to work effectively and appropriately.
As a member school within a multi-academy trust, responsibility for the governance of Arnold Hill Spencer Academy ultimately derives to the Board of Trustees appointed to the Spencer Academies Trust. In common with all Spencer schools, Arnold Hill Spencer Academy has a Academy Governance Committee (AGC), which is technically defined as a committee of the Trust Board.
The powers defining the legal relationship between Arnold Hill Spencer Academy and The Spencer Academies Trust, together with the delegation of general powers within the trust, are set out in a document called the Scheme of Delegation.
Academy Governance Committee
Arnold Hill has a governing body which comprises members of the local community, parents, teachers and support staff.
When vacancies arise for parent governors, information is circulated via “pupil post” and to be eligible to be nominated as a parent governor, a person must have a child registered at the school. The term of office for governors is for four years and a parent governor can, if he / she so chooses, serve the full term of office even if his / her child is no longer a pupil at that school.
Governing Bodies are required by law to meet at least once a term but can meet more frequently in order to discuss specific matters.
You can contact the governors by writing to:
Clerk to Governors
Arnold Hill Spencer Academy
Gedling Road
Arnold
Nottingham
NG5 6NZ
or by sending an email to clerktogovernors@arnoldhillspencer.org.uk
Who are School Governors?
Every school has its own governing body which is be responsible for the overall management of the school. The actual size of the governing body depends on the size of the school; the membership is determined by law, and each is made up of different types of governors.
- Parent – elected by the parents of children currently attending the school – Such governors must have a child at the school at the time of the election.
- Staff – members of the school’s teaching staff.
- Community – appointed by the governing body, these governors may possess particular skills or come from a specific group within society such as the business community.
- Head Teacher – is a school governor and has the right to attend all meetings of the governing body.
What Qualifications do Governors Need?
There are no formal qualifications needed to become a school governor. The one essential requirement is an interest in, and commitment to, the education of children. Governors have to be over 18 years of age and the term of office is four years.
Governors are ordinary people, drawn from many areas of society. They need to be able to devote time to getting to know the school well and to be active and available in their support for it. Having common sense and a desire to serve the community are also important.
Normally no one may be a governor of more than two governing bodies.
What is expected of a Governor?
Time
- Attend a meeting of the full governing body at least once a term.
- Attend committee meetings as required.
- Read reports and background papers prior to meetings.
- Attend the annual meeting of parents.
- Attend other occasions such as concerts, open evenings, sports day.
Commitment
- Show an interest in children and their education and participate in many of the school’s activities.
- Attend governors’ meetings.
- Readiness to accept responsibility.
- Get to know the staff, the pupils and their work.
- Offer support and expertise.
Knowledge
- Follow educational news and debates.
- Attend training sessions.
Skills
- Work co-operatively and creatively with others.
- Use personal qualities and expertise in the interest of the school, its pupils and teachers.
Current Governors
| Paul Key | Chair of Governors
All Committees Health & Safety Governor |
23rd May 2026 | 22nd May 2030 |
| Nigel Bradley | Sponsor Governor
Chair of Resources Committee Health & Safety Governor Link Governor – Post 16 |
22nd November 2024 | 22nd November 2028 |
| Steve McNichol | Parent Governor
Quality & Standards Committee Behaviour & Attendance |
15th March 2023 | 14th March 2027 |
| Matthew Wilson | Sponsor Governor
Resources Committee Pupil Premium Governor |
27th November 2023 | 27th November 2027 |
| Katie Haessly | Sponsor Governor | 24th March 2026 | 23rd March 2030 |
| Susan Sharp | Sponsor Governor | 1st June 2025 | 31st May 2029 |
| Ben Burton | Sponsor Governor | 14th July 2026 | 13th July 2030 |
| Kerry Wiltshire | Principal
All Committees |
1st April 2026 | n/a |
Meeting Dates for 26/27 to be confirmed
Please note all meetings start at 5pm and take place in A Block Conference Room