(From the Wennington School Senate Minute Book, 25 February 1974)

THE GOVERNANCE OF WENNINGTON

THE CREATIVE SOCIETY SCHOOLS LIMITED

The School is under the ultimate control of an educational trust, Creative School Limited. This trust is administered by a body of Directors, under the Chairmanship of Peter Hamilton, and the secretaryship of Kenneth Barnes, the founder of the school. Directors must be shareholders in the trust, and are admitted by vote of present directors. No employee of the school may be a Director.

The Directors control the ultimate educational direction of the school, and this they discharge primarily by their appointment of Headmaster. Once the Head is appointed, except in extreme need, they do not concern themselves with the educational day by day running of the school, and the Head has a free hand in setting his educational policies. The Directors will only step in if they feel that the Head’s policies are detrimental to the future of the school, or crippling to its financial condition, or if as a result of enquiry or criticism, they feel they must review the policies of the Headmaster. The Directors may suspend and dismiss the Headmaster. They meet at least once a year, but may be called to meet as often as is deemed necessary.

The Directors are responsible for the financial condition and situation of the school, and must discharge its debts. Most of their concern will be either the financial matters of the trust and school. They do not wish to play a conspicuous role in the running of the school, but wish to be informed and aware of the Headmaster’s policies at all time, though are reluctant to interfere. Their policy is that the more smoothly the school runs the less their involvement with it.

THE HEADMASTER

The Headmaster is appointed by the Directors, and is responsible to them. He is in immediate day by day charge of the school, and determines its educational and social policies. He oversees its immediate financial requirements as they are determined by his educational and social policies, and is guided by the Directors and Bursar in discharging financial arrangements. He has charge of the selection of the Staff, for appointment by the Directors. He also may suspend any staff member from his duty. He has charge of the appointment, suspension and dismissal of pupils.

THE GOVERNORS

The Governors are chosen by the Headmaster, at the recommendation of the Directors, Staff, Parents, other Governors, Pupils or friends. They advise and guide the Headmaster in his policies and may be called upon to vote as an advisory body to the Headmaster. The Headmaster has the power of veto in any issue coming before the Governors and decided by them. The Governors are composed of at least one elected representative of Parents, Staff, Pupils, with the Directors serving ex officio on the Governors, though the last are limited in attendance at the meetings by invitation of the Headmaster. They meet at least three times a year roughly once a term.

THE STAFF

The Staff are appointed by the Directors, after selection by the Headmaster. Their rights are set forth in their agreements, signed by the staff members and the Headmaster. They are represented on the Governing body.

THE PUPILS

The pupils are represented on the Governing Body, and have representation in various bodies. These are, A, The School Meeting, wherein all members of the school community, including the Headmaster, the Staff and Pupils, have a vote. The second body is B., The School Council, wherein pupils are represented by two members from each form, the staff by two elected members, and upon which the Headmaster and Deputy serve ex officio. The third body is the C. Ward Meeting, wherin pupils organised into groups of two forms each, or three wards, and have a platform for discussion.

Signed J S Feb 1974

Senate Minute Book 25 Feb 1974