School governors
How to become a School Governor
If you would like to speak to someone about what is involved in being a governor please telephone the Governor Support and Development Unit on 020 8359 7622.
If you wish to be a governor at one specific school (for instance where your child attends) contact the Chair of the governing body or the Headteacher at the school to let them know of your interest.
- Becoming a School Governor information pack
(PDF: 185KB) - Community Governors nomination form (PDF: 26KB)
But before applying.....
Can you answer 'yes' to the following questions? If so, then you may well have what it takes to be a School Governor:
- Do you believe schools should give children the best possible education?
- Do you want to put something back into your local community?
- Are you interested in people?
- Do you have time to get to know your school, to go to meetings and read papers?
- Are you comfortable asking questions?
- Are you open to new ideas and ready to learn?
Being a governor involves more than just an interest
A time commitment is needed. The time you devote can vary widely, depending on how involved you become and what needs doing. The governing body usually meets at least once a term. You will probably also sit on one or two committees dealing with:
- finance
- staffing
- curriculum
- premises.
Being a governor can be rewarding
Being a member of a governing body provides a chance to:
- make a difference to how well the school runs
- see how your efforts help raise standards
- do something positive for the next generation
- serve the local community
- help realise your own potential by learning new skills.
Every school has a governing body
It is made up of:
- parents elected by other parents at the school
- teachers elected by their colleagues
- a staff governor elected by school support staff
- local education authority governors
- governors co-opted by other members of the governing body
- and usually the headteacher.
What does a governing body do?
The governing body's main role is to help raise standards of achievement:
- it is accountable for the performance of the school to parents and the wider community
- with the professionals in the school, plans the school's future direction
- appoints the headteacher
- makes decisions on the school's budget and staffing
- makes sure the national curriculum is taught
- helps decide how the school can encourage pupils' spiritual, moral and cultural development
- makes sure the school provides for all its children, including those with special needs
Children, young people and families
Email this pageLast modified by: Lauren Burbidge on 01/04/2011