What is a Governor?

Governors are a school's "critical friend" in that they support the headteacher while being unafraid to challenge existing processes to drive school improvement, both academic and pastoral. They are volunteers over the age of 18.

Responsibilities of Governors

Primarily, they are responsible for:

• planning the school's strategic direction
• overseeing the school's financial performance, ensuring money is well spent
• holding the headteacher and senior leadership team to account.

Governors play a key role in helping decision-making around the school, such as running buildings, budgets, supporting staff and setting the standards for discipline and uniforms.

They sit on at least one of the following committees:

• Leadership, Management and Resources (LMR)
• Social, Behaviour and Attendance (SBA)
• Quality of Education (QoE)

Each member of the Governing Board attends two evening meetings per half-term (one online and the other in school) which often means reading necessary school documentation in preparation.

Why be a governor? 

There are many professional and personal rewards, including career development opportunities and the chance to shape young people's lives and futures.