What is a School Governor? What They Do and Why They Matter

clendar August 06, 2024

clendar 16 minutes

2020 Viewers

A school governor is a member of a board responsible for overseeing a school’s running. School governors are usually volunteers elected or appointed to the position and serve a term of office. You can furthermore know what is a school governor, their roles and responsibilities, skills and qualities, etc.

What is a school governor’s responsibility?

The roles and responsibilities can vary depending on the specific governance structure of the school. And also depends on the specific role that the governor plays on the board. However, some common roles and responsibilities of school governors include the following:

Setting the strategic direction of the school.

It involves setting goals and targets and making decisions about the overall direction that the school should take.

Setting policies

School governors develop and approve policies on how to run the school, policies on student behaviour, curriculum, and staff development.

Attending meetings of the governing board

School governors should prepare to attend meetings of the governing board regularly. These meetings may be held during the day or in the evening, depending on the schedules of the governors.

Participating in decision-making

School governors make decisions about the direction and policies of the school by discussing, debating issues, considering the views of others, and voting on decisions.

Monitor and Evaluate the performance of the school

School governors ensure that the school meets its targets and provides high-quality education for its students. It may involve reviewing student performance, conducting regular evaluations of the school’s programs and practices, and identifying areas for improvement.

Managing the school’s budget

In some cases, school governors may be responsible for developing and managing the school’s budget. They make decisions about how funds are allocated and ensure that the school has the resources to meet its goals.

Working with the school’s head teacher and staff

School governors work closely with the head teacher and other staff members. To ensure that the school runs effectively and that students receive the support they need to succeed.

Representing the views of the community

School governors may be appointed to represent the school community’s views, such as parents, teachers, or local businesses. Therefore, they should understand the concerns and priorities of these groups and ensure that they take account in decision-making.

Who can be a school governor?

Over the age of 18, anyone can be a school governor as long as they meet any specific eligibility criteria. For example, some schools may have particular requirements for their governors, skills or experience relevant to the role. However, anyone interested in school work who has the time and energy to commit to the role can apply.

School governors are appointed or elected to the position and serve a term of office, typically three to four years. Some are set by the local education authority, while the school community or the governing board elects others.

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What skills and qualities do you need to be a school governor?

Several skills and qualities are essential for school governors to possess. These may include

1. Good communication skills

School governors should be able to communicate effectively with various stakeholders, including staff, students, parents, and local community members.

2. To work as part of a team.

School governors are part of a governing board and should be able to work effectively with other board members to achieve the school’s goals.

3. Good organizational skills

School governors involve in managing the school’s budget or other resources and should have strong organisational skills to ensure tasks carry out effectively.

4. A commitment to education

School governors should be passionate about education and committed to supporting the school’s work.

5. An open and enquiring mind

School governors should be willing to listen to the views of others and consider different perspectives when making decisions.

6. The ability to think strategically

School governors should be able to think about the long-term direction and goals of the school and make decisions that will help the school to achieve these goals.

7. A willingness to learn

School governors should be open to learning new things and willing to seek training and development opportunities to improve their skills and knowledge.

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Benefits of Being a School Governor?

Being a school governor can be a rewarding experience that offers several benefits. Some of the benefits of being a school governor include the following:

Making a positive difference in the community

School governors can make a positive difference in the lives of students and the broader community by helping shape the school’s direction and policies.

Developing new skills and knowledge

Serving as a school governor can be a learning opportunity as Individuals can learn about education policy and practice and develop leadership, communication, and budget management skills.

Building professional networks

School governors can build relationships with other educators, school staff, and community leaders, which can benefit personal and professional development.

Giving back to the community

Many people who become school governors choose this profession as a way to give back to their community and support the education of future generations.

Having a voice in the education system

School governors can influence decisions about the education of students in their community, advocating for policies and practices that will benefit students.

How to apply to be a school governor

The process for applying to be a school governor can vary depending on the specific school and the governance structure in place. Before applying, know a school governor’s job in detail for a particular school. Here are some general steps that may be involved in the application process:

Determine eligibility

Check with the school or governing board to determine whether you can serve as a governor. Some schools may have specific requirements, such as requiring that you be a parent of a student or have specific skills or experience.

Find out about openings.

Determine whether there are any current openings for school governors at the school you are interested in serving. You can usually find this information on the school’s website or by contacting the school directly.

Submit an application

If there are openings and you are eligible to apply, you will typically need to apply to the school or governing board. It may involve filling out a form or writing a letter expressing your interest in the position and outlining your relevant skills and experience.

Attend an interview

Depending on the school, you may ask to attend an interview as part of the application process. Again, it is an opportunity for the school or governing board to learn more about you and check whether you are a good fit for the position.

Wait for a decision.

After you have submitted your application and attended any required interviews, you will need to wait for a decision. Then, the school or governing board will review the applications and select the candidate they believe is best suited for the position.

Begin serving as a governor

If your application fulfils all the requirements, you will be appointed or elected to the position of school governor and will begin serving your term of office. In addition, you will need to attend meetings of the governing board, participate in decision-making, and fulfil any other responsibilities of the role.

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What support will you receive as a school governor?

As a school governor, you will generally receive support from the school and the governing board to help you fulfil your responsibilities effectively. This support may include the following:

Training and development opportunities

Many schools and governing boards provide training and development opportunities for their governors to help them learn about education policy and practice and develop the skills they need to be effective in their roles. This may include workshops, seminars, or online courses.

Access to resources

As a governor, you will typically have access to policy documents, reports, and data to help you make informed decisions and fulfil your responsibilities.

Support from the head teacher and other staff

The headteacher and other staff members at the school should be available to support and guide you as a governor. They can help you understand the workings of the school and provide information and perspective that may be helpful in decision-making.

Support from other governors

It allows you to work with and learn from other governors who can provide support and guidance as you navigate your role.

What is a school governor? It is important to remember that as a school governor, you are an important member of the school community and have an essential role to play in supporting the education of students. You should feel free to reach out for support and assistance whenever you need it.

What is the time commitment?

The time commitment for serving as a school governor can vary depending on the role’s specific responsibilities and the school’s needs. On average, however, you can expect to spend 10–20 hours per term as a school governor. Within this time, you may need to attend meetings of the governing board, participate in training and development opportunities, review documents and data, and participate in other activities related to your responsibilities as a governor.

Before applying to serve as a school governor, prepare yourself about what is a school governor, its roles and responsibilities, and prepare to make the necessary time commitments to fulfil your responsibilities effectively.

It is important to consider your availability and ability to commit to the time required to serve as a school governor before applying for the role.

What are the various committee structures in governing bodies?

The specific committees established within a governing body depending on the school’s needs and the governing body’s preferences. Some common committees that may establish within a school governing body include

The Finance committee

This committee may oversee the school’s budget and decide how to allocate funds.

Curriculum Committee

This committee may be responsible for reviewing and setting policies related to the curriculum, monitoring its implementation and evaluating its effectiveness.

Personnel Committee

This committee may be responsible for staff-related matters, such as recruitment, retention, and professional development.

Health and safety committee

This committee may be responsible for overseeing the health and safety of students and staff, including implementing policies and procedures to ensure a safe and healthy environment.

Building and grounds committee

This committee may oversee the school’s facilities and grounds maintenance and improvement.

Community relations committee

This committee may be responsible for building relationships with the local community and representing the community’s views to the governing body.

It is important to note that the committees of a governing body are typically responsible for making recommendations to the whole governing body, which has the final say on decisions. However, the committees may also carry out specific tasks or projects as the governing body directs.

What happens at the whole school governing body meetings?

Whole school governing body meetings are meetings of the entire governing body, as opposed to meetings of a committee of the governing body. At these meetings, the governing body will typically discuss what is a school governor’s decisions about a wide range of issues related to the school.

Some common topics that may discuss at whole school governing body meetings include

Review of school performance

The governing body may review data on student performance and other indicators of school success and discuss any areas of concern or opportunities for improvement.

Review of policies

The governing body may review and discuss existing policies or consider developing new policies.

Budget and resource allocation

What is a school governor’s review of the school’s budget? And makes decisions about how to allocate funds.

Updates from the head teacher and staff

The headteacher and other staff members may provide updates on the school’s operation and any issues that need governing body’s attention.

Reports from committees

Committee members may provide reports on the work of their committees and make recommendations for action by the governing body.

Other business

The governing body may discuss and decide on any other issues relevant to the school’s operation.

At whole school governing body meetings, the governing body may also hear from guest speakers, such as education experts or representatives from the local community. The meetings may be open to the public, or they may be closed to the public, depending on the specific policies of the governing body.

How do school governance work in academies and free schools?

In academies and free schools, governance is typically the responsibility of a board of trustees or directors. The board is responsible for overseeing the school’s operation and making decisions about its direction and policies.

In the case of academies, the board of trustees is appointed by the academy trust, a charitable organisation responsible for the overall operation of the academy. The academy trust may also select a local advisory board to support and guide the academy.

In the case of free schools, the board of directors is typically appointed by the Department for Education (DfE) in England or the equivalent department in other parts of the UK. The overall operation of the free school and reports to the DfE, the board of directors is responsible for the school’s performance.

In both academies and free schools, the board of trustees or directors is responsible for hiring and evaluating the head teacher’s performance, setting the school’s budget and policies, and ensuring that the school meets its targets and provides high-quality education for its students.

FAQ

How to interact with school governors?

You can interact with school governors, depending on your role and relationship with the school. Some options include attending meetings, sharing your views, participating in surveys, and attending events or meetings organized by the governing body.

How much time does it take?

The time commitment for serving as a school governor can vary, but you can expect to spend 10–20 hours per term on average. Within this time you need to attend meetings, participate in training and development opportunities and participate in other related activities.

Are you paid to be a school governor?

School governors are typically paid for something other than their service. However, they may reimburse for expenses incurred during their duties, such as travel costs.

Governors’ expenses and time off from work

Many employers support employees serving as school governors. And also allow them to take time off work to fulfil their responsibilities. It is important to check with your employer to determine their policies on time off for school governance duties.

What is a co-opted school governor?

A co-opted school governor is appointed to the governing body by the governing body itself rather than being elected or appointed by another group or organisation. Co-opted governors may have specific skills or experience relevant to the school’s needs.

What is a parent governor in a school?

A parent governor is a governing body member who is a parent of a student at the school. The parents of students at the school typically elect parent governors.

Who are school governors accountable to?

School governors are accountable to the school community, including students, parents, staff, and the local community. They are responsible for ensuring that the school meets the community’s needs and provides high-quality education for its students.