Becoming a governor
What are school governors?
School governors are a group of volunteers who come together as a group called the School Governing Body or Board.
What do school governors do?
They are school leaders. They support and challenge the headteacher to get the very best in education for the children and families in their school community.
A governing board has a strong focus on three key issues:
- Making sure the school has a clear vision, ethos and strategic direction.
- Holding the headteacher to account for the educational performance of the school and its pupils.
- Overseeing the financial performance of the school and making sure its money is well spent.
Who are the governors at your school?
Schools have a statutory duty to inform you of their governors are on their website, so this is the first place to look.
Further information should also be available for you to understand how the board is made up and the role that the board take. If not, ask at your school office or reception and they will be able to tell you.
How can I become a school governor?
School governing boards are made up of a number of governors with different skills drawn from a number of different groups:
- School staff
- The local authority (Staffordshire County Council in Staffordshire)
- Parents
- Members of the community
- The school foundation/trust (in some schools)
Governors are recruited to make a board with a good balance of skills to ensure they can meet their responsibilities. Every member of the school governing board has the same responsibilities and there is free training available to support new and existing governors in their important roles.
The governor's role is an active position which requires commitment, time and determination to deliver strategic vision and leadership.
The best schools have a strong governing board, so if you’re 18 years old or older, can spare 10-15 hours each term and passionately want the best for the children in your community, then here’s what you need to do.
How do I apply?
To find a current vacancy, you can search the School Governor One-Stop Shop (SGOSS) or register your interest to serve as a governor so that schools can find you.
Alternatively, you can:
Where can I be a governor?
You can serve as a governor at any school which has a vacancy and where your skills are most needed.
This does not need to be the school your child attends, although this is often the case. It does not need to be the school nearest to you home either.
It can be any school where a need is identified. In fact, some of Staffordshire’s most challenging schools are in need of the most talented governors.
Further information
If you want more information on what it’s like to be a school governor in Staffordshire, please get in touch with Staffordshire Governors Association (SGA) who would be happy to put you in touch with someone.
What's the SGA?
This is an independent county based association for Staffordshire governors by Staffordshire governors focused on promoting effective governance. The Association put Staffordshire governors in touch so that they can support each other and run an online forum as well as training and development opportunities.
What's the NGA?
You can also find more information on the National Governors’ Association (NGA) site.
This is an independent charity representing and supporting governors, trustees and clerks in maintained schools and academies in England.
Their goal is to improve the well-being of children and young people by increasing the effectiveness of governing boards and promoting high standards. It does this by providing information, advice, guidance, research and training.
It also works closely with, and lobbies, UK government and educational bodies. It is the campaigning national membership organisation for school governors and trustees.