School governors

Governing boards are the strategic decision makers and vision setters in every school and academy. They play a vital role in ensuring the best possible education for every child by creating robust accountability for school leaders.

One of the core features of an effective governing board is the importance of having the right people. They need to have the necessary skills, time, commitment and diverse perspective. 
 

Rewards of the Role

• Governor create robust accountability and oversee the work of school leaders.
• You will help improve the quality of education within the borough, whilst also gaining experience and upskilling yourself.
• School Governors are the largest volunteer group in the country.

Time off Work for School Governance

In accordance with the Employment Rights Act 1996, employers must:

• give employees who serve on a governing body ‘reasonable time off’ to carry out their duties.
• agree with the employee on what is ‘reasonable’.

Time off can be paid but this is not required by law. Read the guidance on time off for public duties.
 

Eligibility

• Anyone aged 18 or over can be a governor. As per guidance, a sufficient level of literacy in English and Numeracy is necessary to conduct board business.
• Participation in Governor Training: The DfE lists a lack of training as grounds for suspension of a governor. Training is an integral part of enabling governors to best fulfil their role.
   

Duties of a Governor

The functions of a Governing Board include but are not limited to overseeing:

1. the vision, ethos and strategic direction of the school
2. the headteacher’s performance – holding senior leaders to account for educational performance
3. financial viability - sound, proper and effective use of the school’s financial resources
    

Time commitment required

• The average time commitment is 5 to 8 hours per month for meetings, background reading and school visits, although it will vary depending on the needs of the school and your designated areas of contribution (eg: at budget setting time, Governors on the Finance Sub-Committee will usually be temporarily busier).
• Governor terms of office are normally for four years, although as a volunteer, you can resign before your term end. 
   

Further Information on being a School Governor

• The maintained school governance guide / Academy Trust Guidance is the best place to start in order to gain an understanding of the governor role and its responsibilities.
   

Becoming an LA Governor

If you wish to become a school governor without a specific school in mind, to begin the process of matching you to a school governor vacancy you should request an LA Governor nomination form from George.Peradigou@barnet.gov.uk. Once your nomination is approved by the Local Authority, it will be passed to the school’s Governing Board for consideration.

You will be asked for information in order that appropriate checks can be carried out to comply with safeguarding requirements. Please be prepared to undergo an enhanced Disclosure and Baring Service (DBS) check as well as provide information necessary to complete an annual declaration of interests to declare any conflicts of interest you may have including conflicts of loyalty and financial interests. Please note that this information must be published by the school on its website. 

• LA Governor Nomination Form

Becoming a Co-opted Governor

If you wish to be considered as a potential governor at a specific school in your area, contact the Chair or Headteacher at the school to let them know of your interest.

We recommend completing and submitting a Co-opted Governor nomination form in advance. Co-opted governors are appointed by the governing board to represent a wider community perspective.

You will be asked for information in order that appropriate checks can be carried out to comply with safeguarding requirements. Please be prepared to undergo an enhanced Disclosure and Baring Service (DBS) check as well as provide information necessary to complete an annual declaration of interests to declare any conflicts of interest you may have including conflicts of loyalty and financial interests. Please note that this information must be published by the school on its website. 

• Co-opted Nomination Form

Free taster session for BAME community School Governors

It is important that the membership of School Governing Boards reflect the school’s community. We are calling on volunteers from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) communities, where there is a current shortfall, to join a free training session to give them a taste of what it would be like to be a School Governor. To be enrolled please send your name and email address to george.peradigou@barnet.gov.uk.