A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

School governors

About the role of school governors and how to become one

If you're interested in becoming a school governor, you need to contact the school you'd like to be a governor at.

Who can be a school governor?

You don't need any special qualifications to become a school governor - but you do need to be interested in the work of schools, their teachers and pupils.

You should have enthusiasm for the education process.

Governors come from a variety of backgrounds. You're not expected to be an expert in educational matters - that's the headteacher and teaching staff's responsibility.

Governors can be:

  • parents - elected by parents with children on the school roll
  • members of staff - elected by staff at the school
  • Rutland County Council appointees
  • appointees of an organisation or foundation - a church, for example
  • community governors - appointed by the governing body to represent community interests
  • partnership governors (foundation schools only) - nominated by parents and the community

The way governors are appointed or elected varies with each category.

Once appointed, all governors have the same rights, powers and responsibilities.

What do school governors do?

There are three main reasons governors are necessary - they:

  • make sure the school is run to meet the needs and wishes of the local community
  • support, promote and protect the interests of the school, its pupils and staff
  • are a visible form of accountability

The role of the governing body is to:

  • take a strategic overview of school-related issues
  • set a broad framework for the headteacher to work from
  • be concerned with the general oversight and conduct of the school

The headteacher is responsible for the organisation and management of the school.

Governors are expected to:

  • work as a member of the governing body for the best interests of the school
  • attend regular meetings and special meetings of the governing body
  • service on committees which deal with the governing body's legal obligations
  • become familiar with general educational issues and developments
  • take an interest in school activities
  • promote the school within the local community
  • commit time to the duties and responsibilities of a governor

Governors are expected to be involved in:

  • staff appointments and discipline
  • pupil discipline
  • the school curriculum
  • the school's financial management
  • the school's development plan and action plan
  • safeguarding
  • health and safety
  • governor training

 

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