All Governors play a vital part in the life of any school. They provide a diversity of experience and skills that are essential to the smooth-running and success of individual schools.
The Diocesan Board of Education (DBE) and its Education Team offers support and encouragement in a variety of specialised areas, among them being: Finance, Buildings, Personnel, Admissions, Religious Education and Collective Worship. Further information, including guidance and resources for governors, on these areas is available here.
They also have a statutory responsibility to support the appointment, induction and training of Foundation Governors who specifically have a duty to preserve and develop the religious character of their schools. Your first point of contact for anything to do with Governors is Jacqui Studd (Tel: 01473 298570).
Becoming a foundation governor
Foundation Governors are an integral part of the Governing Body of our Church Schools. For more information about the role and responsibilities of being a foundation governor, please read:
Governance in Church Schools booklet (January 2024) | PDF
School Foundation Governor Vocation Booklet | PDF
Foundation Governors may be nominated by Parochial Church Councils or the Diocesan Board of Education (DBE). In all cases their nomination must be ratified by the DBE.
Application forms
New Foundation Governor in a church school - Word version | PDF version
New Foundation Governor in an academy within a Multi Academy Trust - Word version | PDF version
For new foundation governors in Diocesan MAT schools, please contact Harriet Ellis tel 01473 298542.
Re-appointment forms
Re-appointment of a Foundation Governor in a church school - Word version | PDF version
Re-appointment of a foundation governor in an academy within a Multi Academy Trust - Word version | PDF version
Once the application form is completed (and signed by the Incumbent) the process takes about a week from receipt of the form in the Diocesan Office. Completed forms should be sent to: Jacqui Studd, Governor Appointments, Diocesan Office, 4 Cutler Street, Ipswich IP1 1UQ or via email to jacqui.studd@cofesuffolk.org
Governor Training
All members of the Diocesan Education Team can deliver governor training which complements the programme offered by Governor Services at Suffolk County Council. For further details of Diocesan training, please visit our training page. For further information on Governor Services training, please click here. If you have any training requests for the Diocesan team, please contact Jacqui Studd.
Useful resources
- All Party Parliamentary Group - Useful 20 Key Questions | PDF
- Our Model terms of reference for an Ethos Committee in church schools | PDF