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School governors
Becoming a school governor
Amerjit Sahota - July 2010
amerjit.sahota@kirklees.gov.uk
Schools Need Governors
Help our schools to support our children by becoming a school governor
All over the country, school governors - people like you - are helping staff and head teachers ensure
the next generation gets the best from school. Schools are changing - and so are governing bodies.
The Government is committed to raising educational standards in the classroom, and to increasing the
role of parents and the local community. Volunteers are needed to help all our children reach their
full potential.
Schools are keen to attract people in the community who can bring energy, experience and fresh ideas.
Those who would make very good governors may be put off because they think you need to be an expert.
Not so - interest, enthusiasm and commitment are much more important.
Every school must have a governing body. The membership will vary according to the type of school.
The governing body has some discretion of the numbers of governors.
All governing bodies include governors who are:
- Parent elected by parents at the school
- Staff elected by Head, teachers and support staff at the school. The head teacher is entitled to be a staff governor without an election
- Persons appointed by Kirklees as the local authority. The are from one to four of these “Authority” governors
Additionally:
- Community and controlled schools have at least one community governor who is appointed by other members of the governing body
- Some schools have foundation governors. They are governors appointed by the church which appears in the school's name
Foundation governors form the majority on the governing bodies of Catholic and Church of England
(voluntary aided) schools. They are a minority on the governing bodies of Church of England
(voluntary controlled) schools.
The School will be able to tell you if there are vacancies for parent, community or foundation governors.
Usually a governor is appointed for a period of four years but may subsequently be eligible for re-appointment
or re-election.
Governing bodies are responsible to parents, funders and the community. 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
- plans the school's future direction
- selects the head teacher
- makes decisions on the school's budget and staffing
- makes sure the national curriculum is taught
- decides how the school can encourage pupil's spiritual, moral and social development
- makes sure the school provides for all its pupils, including those with special needs
Governors bring a range of experience and interests from many walks of life. They need to work closely
with others to make good decisions, and to make sure their decisions are followed up. It helps to be a
good listener - you will stand a much better chance of understanding how the school ticks.
You certainly don't need to be a parent to have the makings of a good governor. Retired people and those
involved in the local business community have much to offer. If you've never thought of putting yourself
forward, but believe schools should give children the best start, ask yourself the following questions.
If you can answer yes and you live in the area, then you could well have what it takes to be a school
governor, and help make a difference to our children's future.
- Are you 18 or over?
- Do you want to put something back into your local community?
- Are you prepared to work as part of a team?
- 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?
- Do you want children to get the best from school?
Please read the What do Governors do?
section which outlines the variety of ways in which you can become a school governor.
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