What are governors and what do we do?

The role of a governor

The role of a school governor is to contribute to the work of the governing body in raising standards of achievement for all pupils. This involves:

• Ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction
• Holding the headteacher to account for the educational performance of the school and its pupils, and
• Overseeing the financial performance of the school and making sure its money is well spent

The individual governor has a responsibility, working alongside other members of the governing body, to the staff and pupils of the school and the school’s wider community.

Governors must have an interest in our children’s future, be willing to contribute and make a difference, respect the need for confidentiality and be able to work as part of a team. Governors must act with integrity, objectivity and honesty and in the best interests of the school.

What governors do

Governors are volunteers who attend meetings and work to further the school’s development. Together with the headteacher, responsibilities of governing bodies include:

• developing the school’s strategic plan
• determining aims, policies and priorities
• setting targets
• monitoring and evaluating
• deciding the number of staff
• overseeing the use of the school’s budget
• securing high levels of attendance and good standards of pupil behaviour.

Governors provide the headteacher with support and advice, drawing on their knowledge and experience. They ask searching questions and respect the headteacher’s position as the professional leader of the school.

How much time it takes up

The amount of time each person gives to the role will vary. However you will need to be willing to:

• Prepare for meetings. There will be papers that need reading.
• Attend meetings. The governing body must meet at least once a term, but you may also be asked to serve on at least one committee. Meetings are normally during the evening but may also be during the day.

As a full-time worker will I still have time to be a school governor?

Many governors are in full-time work and most governing body meetings tend to take place in the evening. However, you would need to check carefully the number of meetings you would be expected to attend and when they usually take place. Also bear in mind that you might want to spend time getting to know the school in other ways and joining in its activities, which may take place during the daytime.

Support for governors

• As a new school governor you can receive a nationally designed induction programme covering roles and responsibilities
• Subsequent training on a wide range of activities
• Each governing body has a clerk to provide administrative and procedural support.

Specific advice is available:

email: governor.support@derbyshire.gov.uk
Tel: 01629 535769