A Governance Advisory Committee (GAC), consisting of four independent members, governs David Game College. The GAC serves as a "critical friend," ensuring that the College’s operations, particularly its boarding and day provisions, align with its ethos, values, mission, and vision. These members, all experienced senior educationalists and former school inspectors, are assigned specific roles corresponding to their expertise. They regularly visit the College to conduct learning walks, scrutinise management practices, and inspect the curriculum.
The GAC's primary role is to ensure that the College is managed effectively, with leadership and management not only meeting but exceeding regulatory compliance. The committee places significant emphasis on adhering to the National Minimum Standards (NMS), safeguarding, health and safety (H&S), curriculum quality, and financial integrity, all while upholding the College’s core values. Additionally, the GAC ensures that the College lives up to its commitments, holding it accountable for any claims made and decisions that may affect the safety and well-being of its students.
The responsibilities of the GAC are divided into 12 domains:
1. Safeguarding – including Prevent strategies, safe recruitment practices and SSR
2. Management and Leadership – strategic intent, development, academic standards, and outcomes, adherence to regulatory compliance and Equality
3. Curriculum Development and Quality of Education – including core subjects, PHSE, RSE, SMSC, British values, careers, and teaching quality
4. Health and Safety and risk assessment
5. Communications – internal communications and parent interactions, including policies and development plans
6. Pastoral Care – addressing SEND, mental health, medical issues, and overall wellbeing
7. Boarding – inspection of facilities, health and safety, food quality, and boarders' wellbeing
8. Complaints and Anti-Bullying Measures
9. Guardians
10. Admissions and Attendance
11. Financial Oversight – ensuring financial stability, proper use of funds, transparency in financial reporting, audit and assurance
12. Technology and the assimilation of AI strategies
The GAC members attend both Boarding meetings and specialised sub-committee meetings, focusing on boarding, day issues, and financial matters. Their goal is to critically evaluate decision-making at the College, ensuring that all actions are child-centered, financially sound, and in accordance with the College's ethos, mission, and vision.
Reports are sent to GAC members to update them of developments and changes in the College or to highlight that a decision is to be made that they may wish to have an opinion on.
The members of the GAC are:
1. Jill Bainton
2. Lindsay Badenoch
3. James Eytle
4. Bill Brown
