A school is celebrating after its board of governors were handed a national accolade - and are the only school in Dorset to do so. 

The governance board of Holy Trinity Primary School in Weymouth received the Governor Mark, an award for quality of governance in English schools.

The award recognised by both the Department of Education and the National Governors Association. 

“Naturally we are all delighted with the accreditation. School governors are volunteers who are required to ensure that schools have a strategic direction, accountability and financial probity," said chair of governors, Helen Keedy.

In the last years, only 30 governance boards have received the Governor Mark accreditation, with Holy Trinity being the only accredited governance board in Dorset.

The process of accreditation involves assessment against a detailed framework covering all aspects of the responsibilities of school governance. 

“The advantage of having completed such a rigorous process is the insight it has given our governance board as to what we do well, what we need to improve,” said Ms Keedy. 

The Governor Mark assessment was carried out by an existing chair of governors of an outstanding school in Hampshire.

The assessment focussed on the impact governors had on pupil outcomes. Individual and group meetings were held between the assessor and governors, the headteacher and the chairs of the board, data and finance committees.

All published board minutes were scrutinised, and prior to the visit requests were made for all supporting documentation referred to in the published minutes, all external adviser reports, the chair's 360, all committee minutes, all governor visit reports, and clarification as to the performance management procedures. 

"When schools are inspected the governors also come under close scrutiny. We are incredibly lucky to have a team of dedicated and gifted governors who are helping our school give the best educational opportunities to all our pupils," said Ms Keedy. 

She added last year the school received a 'good' grading in their SIAMs inspection and the receipt of the mark was a 'further step in the school's journey of self improvement.' 

"The award is a reflection of all our hard work together with the training, advice and support we have received from Dorset Governor Services and the Salisbury Diocesan Board of Education,” Ms Keedy said.

The award will be valid for three years, after which reassessment will be required, and allows the school to display the GLM (governance, leadership and management) Governor Mark logo.

Headteacher, Fiona Daykin said: "Achieving Governor Mark status acknowledges the expertise and dedication of the Governors at Holy Trinity Primary School. The process for validation was extremely thorough, making the accreditation a notable accolade for all those involved."