Governors' Role

The Governors are Trustees of the Northwood Preparatory School (Terry's) Educational Trust. This was set up in 1955 to take over the running of the original school founded by Mr. Francis Terry in 1910. As Trustees we have a statutory duty to manage the trust according to the prevailing Charity laws. As a Governing Body, we also have a responsibility to oversee the overall running of the school and to ensure its continued success. Our main activities include:

• Ensure compliance with relevant charitable laws
• Maintain and file statutory accounts and an Annual Report
• Prepare budgets, and execute financial control
• Appoint and support the Headmaster
• Provide strategic direction and leadership
• Monitor the performance of the school
• Provide specialist expertise when required
• Should the need arise, we listen to, and adjudicate on, matters that are escalated above the normal issue management process

Governors are unpaid, and we meet a minimum of once a term, and on other ad-hoc occasions. Board members are selected to provide a broad base of expertise and normally serve one or two terms of five years. Governors include 'Old Terryers', parents of boys who have since left the school (we have a policy of not appointing current parents), and others. We ensure that we have external educational expertise, both from those not directly associated with the school, and from the local senior schools (usually Merchant Taylors' School). We have legal, business and other professional expertise.

The Chairman, Vice Chairman and Finance Director are elected by the Board, and will often serve additional terms.

We have worked hard to ensure that we have an Ethos and set of Guiding Principles that are 'lived and breathed' by our community, and which guide us through the what can be difficult decisions and choices that we have to make to ensure our continuing success. We have also focussed our efforts on building Leadership in Depth, developing and supporting the increased professionalism of all our staff and creating a Strategic Framework that generates an Environment for Success that allows us to guide the school through the ever changing, and always challenging, world in which we live.

Statement by the Chairman

“My two boys were educated here at Terry's and received an excellent education in a caring and supportive atmosphere. In return, I have been very privileged to be able to give my support as a member of the Board of Governors, and now as Chairman, and to see the school develop, blossom and excel in its purpose of preparing boys for their future lives. With the leadership of Dr Lee, a very capable and professional staff, the support and guidance of a forward looking and knowledgeable Board of Governors, and you as parents, the school has become a recognised leader, not just locally, but in the wider educational world. I am committed to maintaining the school in this position by supporting innovative and class leading educational and management initiatives that are always guided by our ethos and principles.”

Oliver Bangham February 2005