This film contrasts the relationship between the headteacher and the governors at two primary schools - Holy Trinity CE School in Richmond, Surrey and Godwin Junior School in east London. At Holy Trinity, the chair of governors, Harry James, is able to devote a significant amount of time to the school, in order to understand and thus support it as it continues to improve. At Godwin, governors have a more hands-off relationship with the acting headteacher, expecting him to manage the school on a day-to-day basis and to be alerted only when problems arise. Governors are there to drive the strategic direction of the school. The question is: does the 'light touch' approach work only because Godwin is already a successful school? And do governors at Holy Trinity expect to become less actively involved once the school's improvement is consolidated?

Video Series: Just for Governors
Release Date 2007