Students
The ‘learner voice’ is very important to the Governing Body and the elected Chair of the Student Council and one other elected College student are appointed as members of the Governing Body.  Governors regularly attend student events e.g. presentation events, prize-giving celebrations, graduation ceremonies and their involvement in such activities is much appreciated by the College Senior Management Team and staff of the college.

The College has a raft of policies to ensure that the learner voice is audible and is listened to and governors play an active part in monitoring their impact. 

Staff
A most sensitive part of the work of a Governor is achieving the right balance in communications with staff and managers in the college. The Swindon College Corporation (i.e. The Governing Body) is the employer of all staff in the College, but does not direct the work of staff, other than designated ‘Senior Post Holders’ of which there are currently four - the Principal, the Deputy Principal, the Vice Principal and the Clerk. The management of staff in the college is the responsibility of the Principal and the senior management team. 

The function of the Board is to provide overall strategic direction, involving strategic planning, objective setting and appropriate delegation. The Principal and the senior management team are responsible for achieving the objectives, targets and strategies by the day-to-day management of the staff in the college.

Governors should strive to establish a constructive working relationship with the Principal and senior managers and all concerned should aspire to be mutually supportive, while maintaining a professional relationship at all times.

The Governing Body at Swindon College operates a ‘Links’ programme, whereby each individual Governor is linked with a senior manager who facilitates visits to a chosen curriculum area, enabling both staff and students to have a direct link to the Board via their link Governor.

The staff voice is very important to the Governing Body and there are two elected Staff Governors who serve as members of the Board.