A Memorandum of Understanding
between
Oxfordshire County Council
and
Oxfordshire Governors Association
Intentions
This document provides a framework for the development of an effective relationship between OGA and the LA. Their shared objectives include:
promoting school improvement in all the LA’s schools
promoting high standards of governance in all the LA’s schools
promoting mutual trust and transparency between the LA and schools
Practice
This relationship will lead to co-operation in the following ways:
dissemination of information and sharing of good practice
regular exchanges of information and updates on strategic policy and service changes
regular meetings of governors and officers and elected members and Governor Services
formal and informal consultation on local and national matters of concern
OGA representation on LA committees and working parties
OGA involvement in the appointment process for key LA staff that impact on the LAs relationship with schools
LA support through Governor Services for OGA activities
OGA involvement in providing governors to serve on statutory committees
continual appraisal and review of these arrangements
Nature of the Relationship
The LA will therefore
acknowledge the role of OGA and its independence
accept it as an equal partner to other stakeholders
support its continuation
provide limited administrative and financial support e.g. by distributing the OGA newsletter and clerking at appropriate meetings
use the views of governors to inform its dealings with schools
OGA will therefore
endeavour to maintain lines of communication with schools
publish a newsletter three times a year*
respond to the needs and concerns of governors in schools
encourage participation in LA and national consultations
monitor the effects of local and national initiatives
gather information useful for LA decisions and policy-making
provide governors with opportunities for discussion with colleagues
MCW/CT 30/05/2007
At the meeting between elected cabinet members, the Director of CYP&F and other LA officers and representatives of the Oxfordshire Governors Association (OGA) held on 6th June 2007, it was agreed by all those present that this Memorandum of Understanding be adopted and that OGA and the LA would abide by it.
*This has been superseded in recent years by electronic communication with letters from the Chair being sent to all Governors through their clerks.