The dedication of school governors is not questioned, but their first responsibility – to defend what is distinctive about Catholic education and promote its mission – receives too little attention

to be called a guardian of a vision might well seem somewhat mythical, straight out of the world of the ancient Greeks. Having just completed a round of governor training days across a range of dioceses, I never fail to be impressed by the dedication, commitment and generosity of so many people who are willing to give up their free time, unpaid, to carry out an enormous task.

This responsibility is subjected to scrutiny by Ofsted under the pressure of their performance being made public. In both the Ofsted section 5 and 48 inspections (48 being the diocesan inspection), there is an extensive list of responsibilities concerning leadership and management including the role of governors’ vision and ambition for the whole school community.

A guardian of the vision of the Church in education is exactly what a governor in a Catholic school is appointed to be and to do. For those in leadership positions in Catholic schools, Fr Timothy Radcliffe OP reminds us that “it is the primary role of leadership to articulate the call to transformation and facilitate response”. This call is from the Holy Spirit and not from the leader of the Church. How to respond to this call is central to the formation and education aof young people in Catholic schools and is, says Radcliffe, part of the “prophetic dimension of the ministry of leadership”.