School governors

If you want to make a real difference to the performance of our schools, then you could become a school governor.

Governors are unpaid volunteers who work as part of a team to raise standards of achievement in their school.  

What does a school governor do?

School governors provide strategic leadership and accountability in schools, and in some schools the site is owned by the governing body. Governors also hold the main responsibility for finance in schools and work with the head teacher to make decisions about balancing resources.

Governing bodies have three key roles:

• To ensure clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction
• To hold the headteacher to account for the educational performance of the school and its pupils, and the performance management of staff
• To oversee the financial performance of the school and make sure its money is well spent.

The governing body's duties include:

• Monitoring pupil/student achievement and progress
• Setting the school's vision, aims and policies
• Monitoring progress on the school’s priorities
• Monitoring the impact of policies
• Determining how the school's budget is spent
• Appointing staff and dealing with grievance and disciplinary hearings and appeals  
• Setting standards for pupils' behaviour and discipline
• Making sure school buildings are welcoming and safe.

Who can be a governor?

Governors come from all sections of the community and all walks of life. They can be parents, staff at the school, residents from the local area, representatives of community groups and businesses. It is important that you can work as part of a team, and can give commitment to the school.

How to apply

You can download an application form below. For more information call 0116 454 1916.