Governance
Determining the overall direction and development of the School
 
The Board of Governors at St Columba’s determines the overall direction and development of the School, with the aim of ensuring that our current and future pupils receive a high standard of education.  Working with the Rector and Senior Leadership Team, the Board sets and develops the vision, policies and plans that are necessary for this to happen.

We are responsible for ensuring that the School complies with the legal and regulatory framework which applies to independent schools in Scotland.  In particular, we have a fundamental responsibility to ensure that the School meets its statutory obligations for keeping children and young people safe. This includes ensuring there are clear policies and procedures in place with regard to child protection, welfare and safeguarding, and that these are applied effectively on a consistent, whole-school basis.  We also believe that it is our responsibility to help create a positive culture and ethos, so that safeguarding is engrained as a fundamental part of everyday life in the School. 

Governors are responsible for setting school fees, maintaining our Bursary Fund and ensuring the School’s financial stability. We are also responsible for the appointment of senior staff and monitoring their work and activities.

St Columba’s School is a registered charity and as such the Board is required to ensure that it operates in accordance with the requirements of the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR). Charitable status also means that the Governors are trustees, with a duty to act together to meet the charity’s objectives and to provide the appropriate level of public benefit. The Board aims to follow best practice as set out in the guidelines of the Association of Governing Bodies for Independent Schools (AGBIS).  

There are usually up to 12 Governors on the Board at any one time, including the Chair and Deputy Chair. The composition of the Board is subject to careful consideration to ensure there are individuals with relevant knowledge and experience. It is considered important to have Governors from a range of backgrounds and specialisms including business, finance, law, healthcare and education. Specialist experience apart, it is also considered important that the Board of Governors comprises individuals with sound judgement, who can look at issues from a range of angles and who can commit the necessary time and energy.   

The role of the Chair of the Board of Governors is to ensure that the business of the Board is conducted properly, that meetings are run efficiently and that all other Governors contribute fully and work together as a team. The Chair also has an important role in guiding and supporting the Rector.

Meet the Current Board of Governors 

Please click here to meet our Governors. 

 

Good Governance Programme Certificate
Following completion of a Governor Training Framework jointly developed by the Association of Governing Bodies for Independent Schools (AGBIS) and the Headmasters' and Headmistresses' Conference (HMC), the Board’s commitment to high quality governance is recognised with the Good Governance Programme Certificate.


Meetings 
 

The Board of Governors meets regularly throughout the year. Meetings are attended by the Rector and other relevant representatives of the School. Governors-only sessions are held as and when required, to allow certain matters to be discussed confidentially. 

Much of our work is conducted through committees. There are currently five principal committees: Safeguarding; Education; Finance; Estates; and Development, Marketing & Admissions (DMA). Each Governor is a member of at least one committee. There is also a Nominations Committee and a Remuneration Committee. Shorter life committees are established from time-to-time on specific matters. Committees meet regularly and report to the Board of Governors.  We also co-opt individuals who are not Governors on to certain committees.  We do this where it is important to have the benefit of specific experience and expertise. This currently includes the Safeguarding Committee and the DMA Committee.  

 
Appointments
Governors are normally appointed for an initial period of three years, with the possibility of this being renewed subsequently for a maximum service of nine years. The Chair and Deputy Chair can have two periods of three years in each of these roles, in addition to the maximum of nine years as a Governor. New Governors are usually appointed at the AGM, which is held in January each year. The Board has the authority to co-opt members and has exercised this authority in respect of two current members of the Board who had previously served their maximum terms. 

The Nominations Committee keeps a register of individuals who are interested in becoming a Governor and makes relevant approaches when vacancies arise. Governors are not remunerated by the School and are required to commit significant time to the role. Anyone interested should contact the Chairman of the Nominations Committee via Mrs Alison Maxwell at Senior School (secretary@st-columbas.org), or write in confidence to:

Mr H Currie
Chairman of the Nominations Committee 
Board of Governors 
St Columba’s School
Duchal Road
Kilmacolm PA13 4AU

The Board of Governors can be contacted via Mrs Alison Maxwell at Senior School (secretary@st-columbas.org), or by writing to:

Mr D Girdwood 
Chairman
Board of Governors
St Columba’s School
Duchal Road
Kilmacolm PA13 4AU