What does a school governor do?

School governors are members of governing bodies, whose purpose is to help provide the best possible education for pupils at the school. Governing bodies are responsible for the strategic management of the school and will make decisions about a wide range of issues.

The core responsibilities involved are:

• Ensuring accountability
• Acting as a ‘critical friend’ to the Head Teacher
• Monitoring and evaluating the school’s progress
• Budgetary allocation and control
• Planning for the long term future of the school
• Setting the school’s aims and values
• Appointing senior members of staff including the Head Teacher

The governing body is split in to a small number of committees, each responsible for one area such as finance or health and safety. These committees will meet separately from the main governing body to discuss relevant issues in more detail. Discussion is then fed back at a full governing body meeting.

Who appoints governors?

There are several different groups responsible for appointing governors, although once appointed all governors essentially perform the same role. 

• Parent governors usually have children at the school and have been elected to join the governing body by the parent body.
• Staff governors are elected on to the governing body by staff at the school
• Community governors are intended to represent the community served by the school and are appointed by the governing body itself
• Local Authority governors are appointed by the Local Authority of the school 

Training, development and support for governors

Training and development is a vital part of becoming an effective governor. It assists governors in dealing with the issues that occur regularly, in keeping up with the many changes taking place in education, and in supporting schools to raise standards.

Who can be a school governor?

Anyone who is eighteen or over, a legal resident of the UK and not disqualified under the School Governance Constitution (Wales) Regulations is eligible for the role.  You do not need to be a parent or have any particular qualifications to become a governor; enthusiasm and a desire to make a difference are the most important qualities a volunteer can have.

Governors can also include people from different walks of life who may have business or other skills. Often just by asking straightforward critical questions of the school on behalf of the community they can have as valuable an influence as the education professionals with whom they work. Becoming a governor could be a way of contributing to the school and learning new skills.

If you are interested in becoming a governor or would like to find out more please contact the school on 01745 351676