Memorandum of Understanding with Oxfordshire County Council

How does the Oxfordshire Governor’s Association work with Oxfordshire County Council?

There is a Memorandum of Understanding between us which lays out the work we do.

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:

  1. dissemination of information and sharing of good practice
  2. regular exchanges of information and updates on strategic policy and service changes
  3. regular meetings of governors and officers and elected members and Governor Services
  4. formal and informal consultation on local and national matters of concern
  5. OGA representation on LA committees and working parties
  6. OGA involvement in the appointment process for key LA staff that impact on the LAs relationship with schools
  7. LA support through Governor Services for OGA activities
  8. OGA involvement in providing governors to serve on statutory committees
  9. continual appraisal and review of these arrangements

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 school
  • 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 initiative
  • 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.

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