How do I become a school governor?

Information and advice about becoming a school governor.

Types of governors

Every school has a governing body, and it is made up of several types of governors.

These include:

The size of the governing body generally ranges from 9 to 20 people depending on the school. Once on the governing body, all governors have the same powers and responsibilities and they work collectively to support the School.

What do Governors do?

Governing is about opening doors to education opportunities.It is challenging and rewarding work.

The main work of the governing body is to meet, discuss and decide. Apart from governing body meetings, which are held at the school, usually in the evening or late afternoon, governorsalso need to set aside time for reading papers, visiting the schooland attending training.

Governing bodies make decisions about:

• Setting the school aims and policies
• Raising standards of achievement
• Making sure the money is spent wisely
• Appointing staff
• Improving the school environment
• Making sure all pupils recieve rights to all education opportunities

Governors also:

• Report to parents about their work
• Support school activities
• Visit the school on behalf of the governing body
• Promote their school in the community

What qualities do I need?

Commitment and common sense are the important qualities that governors bring to their schools - you do not have to have formal qualifications or experience in education, finance or management, although these skills will always be welcome.

To be an effective governor you need to:

• Have an interest in education, schools and young people
• Be able to listen to other people's views, to discuss them and then to for your own judgements
• Be willing to support the decisions taken by the whole governing body
• Have time to play your full part in the work of the governing body
• Be willing to learn

Governors are drawn from across the whole community. They are people with an interest in education from all walks of life who simply want to make a contribution.

What does the role involve?

Meetings
Every governing body meets at least once a term. Many also hold a second meeting each term to make sure they can deal with all their business thoroughly. On average meetings last for between 2 and 3 hours. Most governing bodies appoint small committees to deal with important issues such as finances and curriculum. It is expected that all governors get involved in at least one of these committees, which meet separately from the governing body. Dates of all governing body meetings for an academic year are arranged well in advance and are rarely changed.

Reading the papers
At least a week before the meeting, governors receive an agenda and papers setting out information about the items to be discussed. It is expected that all governors will have read and thought about the issues before the meeting.

Visiting the school
All governors need to get to know their school so they make decisions based on first hand knowledge. You will probably need to set aside about a half-day a year for a visit.

What will I get from being a governor?

Most people who become governors find they get a great deal of satisfaction from it. They feel they are making a contribution that has a real effect on the education of local children and young people. They meet a lot of new people and learn new skills which are useful in other aspects of their lives.

How much help can I get?

There is a lot of help and support available for school governors:

From School
The first source of help and advice will be the school. The head teacher may be able to arrange for you to visit the school before your first meeting and put you in touch with an experienced governor who will act as your mentor.

Governor Training
All governors need to do some training, even people who already work in education. Training is free for all governors. New governors need to learn about their responsibilities, experienced governors need to find about changes in educationand all governors need to consider how to make their governing body more effective.

Most sessions last two hours, and are held at the Credon Centre in Kirton Road, E13. Most sessions are run in the morning and evening. The Credon Centre is fully accessible and a carers allowance is available.

Governing Bodies Support Services
The Governing Bodies Support Service provides a comprehensive range of support services to governors, head teachers and clerks. The aim of the service is to enable governors to carry out their legal functions to manage schools in partnership with head teachers and the LEA. A helpline provides advice and support on all major issues including School Governance Regulations.

Am I eligible to become a school governor?

Not everyone is eligible to become a school governor, people are disqualified if they have been:

• Disqualified from working with children by Section 35 of the Criminal Justice and Court Services Act 2000
• Sentenced to 3 months or more in prison, without the option of a fine, in the last five years
• Sentenced to 2½ years or more in prison in the last 20 years
• Sentenced to 5 years or more in prison, at any time
• Fined for causing a nuisance or disturbance on school premises in the last 5 years
• Other convictions are unlikely to lead to disqualification.

People are also disqualified if they are:

• Under 18 years of age
• Liable to be compulsorily detained under the Mental Health Act 1983:
• Bankrupt or disqualified under the Company Directors Act 1986 or an
• Order made under Section 429(2) of the Insolvency Act 1986
• Disqualified as a company director
• Disqualified as a charity trustee
• Disqualified Proprietor of an independent school
• In addition governors already serving on the governing bodies of two schools are only eligible to serve or more governing bodies if they are appointed as an Additional Governor or appointed to a Temporary Governing Body.

How do I apply to become a school governor?

Apply online to become a school governor


You can also download an application form and guidance notes here.

Where can I get more information?

If you are not sure whether you are disqualified from applying to become a school governor, please contact Newham Governing Bodies Support Service on 020 3373 2701 or 020 3373 2703.