Governor conduct and the Nolan principles

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They need to:

• Act in the best interests of the school
• Be open about the decisions they make
• Be prepared to explain their decisions and actions to interested parties

The ‘7 principles of public life’, also known as the Nolan principles, apply to anyone who has been elected to appointed to a public office.

Governors should be aware of and accept the principles. They are set out below:

Selflessness

Holders of public office should act solely in terms of the public interest.

Integrity

Holders of public office must avoid placing themselves under any obligation to people or organisations that might try inappropriately to influence them in their work. They should not act or take decisions in order to gain financial or other material benefits for themselves, their family, or their friends. They must declare and resolve any interests and relationships.

Objectivity

Holders of public office must act and take decisions impartially, fairly and on merit, using the best evidence and without discrimination or bias.

Accountability

Holders of public office must act and take decisions impartially, fairly and on merit, using the best evidence and without discrimination or bias.

Openness

Holders of public office should act and take decisions in an open and transparent manner. Information should not be withheld from the public unless there are clear and lawful reasons for so doing.

Honesty

Holders of public office should be truthful.

Leadership

Holders of public office should exhibit these principles in their own behaviour. They should actively promote and robustly support the principles and be willing to challenge poor behaviour wherever it occurs.