Ministry of Defence School Governance Committees (SGCs) do not have the statutory responsibilities or full authority held by a full governing body (FGB) for schools in England. Statutory responsibilities and accountabilities lie with Defence Children Services (DCS), acting as the appropriate authority. The responsibility for schools and settings is held by the Chief Education Officer (CEdO), who reports to Head DCS. DCS subordinates to Regional Command (RC).

Each location has its own SGC. The Chair of each SGC is nominated by the local Garrison Commander. The choice of nominee takes account of the Chair’s ability to further the interests of the school and its community. Some SGCs have some limited delegated responsibility for a single school, such as Mount Pleasant, Falkland Islands. Some SGCs have responsibility for a school and an early years setting, such as Akrotiri, Cyprus. Some SGCs cover more than one school and an early years setting, such as Dhekelia, Cyprus.

SGCs includes all governors and meets every term. Representatives can be staff, parents or from the unit. Some have specific link responsibilities such as special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) or early years or safeguarding. Each SGC typically has three sub-committees covering: Standards (inc. SEND), Stakeholder engagement and Safeguarding. Sub-committees also meet termly, between SGC meetings.

Full details of governors, who have served for the last 12 months, including attendance or relevant business and financial interests, can be found on the pages of individual schools or settings.

If you are interested in becoming a governor, please contact individual schools or settings to enquire.