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Become a school governor

Governors' duties

Governing bodies are legally required to meet at least three times a year but most governing bodies meet twice per term, which is six times over a full year. Governing body meetings usually last between 2 and 2.5 hours.

When the governing body meets together, it considers an agenda. The agenda should have been sent out to all members of the governing body at least seven days before the meeting. It is the responsibility of individual governors to make sure that they read the agenda and any supporting papers before the meeting.

For most governing bodies the main part of governors' work happens between the governing body meetings through committees.

Committees

Most governing bodies have a number of committees made up of at least three governors. The number of committees and what each one deals with varies from school to school. Some common examples of committees are Finance, Staffing (or Personnel), Curriculum, Health and Safety, Parents and Community, Premises, etc. In this way, the work of governing bodies is broken down into manageable parts.

You should expect to be asked to join at least one committee. To be an effective governor you should be prepared to play a regular and active role in committee activity. The terms of reference of committees are tasks and responsibilities delegated by the governing body. You may want to find out how often they meet in your school. It is usually once or twice a term for most committees.

Sometimes the governing body may also set up working groups to look at particular topics. You may also be asked to be part of a committee investigating a complaint or considering the exclusion of a pupil. These types of committee generally are not required to meet very often.

Committees and working groups should meet at times that are convenient to most of their members. Governing bodies are encouraged to plan a programme of meetings in advance. However, most meetings are held in the evenings, but they may be held in the daytime if all or most members of the committee are available.

If you were appointed to a staffing or personnel committee you may become involved with the appointment of staff; both teaching and support staff and sometimes heads and deputies. This is quite time consuming. If you are involved in interviewing there are likely to be meetings to confirm or review the job description, shortlist and interview candidates.

The Chair and Vice Chair of the governing body are elected in accordance with the terms of office agreed by the governing body. This may be for one year and up to four years.

Supporting the school

It is important that governors are seen to support the school so you are likely to be invited to attend events like school concerts, plays, fairs, and so on. Many schools also have a policy for governor visits.  (See good practice guidance on School Governor Visits.)

Time off from work

Employers should give employees who are school governors 'reasonable time off' to carry out their duties. What is 'reasonable time off' should be agreed with your employer. This may or may not be with pay.

Training

The local authority offers a wide programme of training and support for governors. Each governing body is encouraged to have a member who co-ordinates the training. All governors and clerks receive a termly mailing from the Governor Support and Training Team that includes a termly newsletter and guidance materials, a telephone helpline (voicemail out of office hours) and a termly clerks forum to keep clerks up to date with current issues and changes to legislation. Clerks may also attend governor-training opportunities. The Governor Support and Training Team also arranges an annual Governor Conference to which clerks and governors are invited.

Getting to know your school

When you become a governor you are a representative not a delegate. For instance, if appointed as a Local Authority governor, or elected as a parent governor, this means that you cannot be instructed by the Local Authority or parents to take a particular view.

Most new governors will need some time to get to grips with their role and nobody will expect you to know about all the issues that come up. You should expect to be able to ask questions, and get answers, from other governors and from the headteacher.

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