Governors

All over the country, school governors – people like you – are helping staff and headteachers ensure the next generation gets the best from school. Schools are changing – and so are governing bodies. The Government is committed to raising educational standards in the classroom, and to increasing the role of parents and the local community. Volunteers are needed to help all our children reach their full potential.

Schools are keen to attract people in the community who can bring energy, experience and fresh ideas. Those of you who would make very good governors may think you need to be an expert. Not so – interest, enthusiasm and commitment are much more important.

Governors bring a range of experience and interests from many walks of life. They need to work closely with others to make good decisions, and to make sure these are followed up. All members of the community have much to offer their local school. If you’ve never thought of putting yourself forward, but believe schools should give children the best start, ask yourself the following questions.

• Are you 18 or over?
• Do you want to put something back into your local community?
• Are you interested in people?
• Are you prepared to work as part of a team?
• Do you have time to get to know your school, go to meetings and read papers?
• Are you comfortable asking questions?
• Are you open to new ideas and ready to learn?
• Do you want children to get the best from school?

If you can answer yes, then you could well have what it takes to be a school governor, and help make a difference to our children’s future.

What do Governors do?

Governors work as a team. They are responsible for making sure the school provides good quality education.

Key responsibilities are:

• setting the strategic direction of the school
• raising attainment
• acting as a critical friend
• being accountable

Every Child Matters

Governors work to support the following outcomes for children and young people:

• be healthy
• stay safe
• enjoy and achieve
• make a positive contribution
• achieve economic wellbeing

Governing Bodies represent the local community

Every school has a governing body.

It will include:

• parents
• teachers
• a staff governor
• local education authority governors
• community governors

Representatives from the church, charitable trust or business interests may be included. Special schools may have health authority or voluntary organisation representatives.

Governors are at the heart of how a school operates. It is important they get things right. How they do their job affects the interests of pupils, staff morale and how the school is seen by parents and others in the community. Governors support and challenge heads by gathering views, asking questions and deciding what’s best for the school. They are not there to rubber stamp decisions. They have to be prepared to give and take and be loyal to decisions taken by the governing body as a whole.

Governor support service contacts

If you are interested in fulfilling this important and challenging role, please contact:

Governor Development Services
Berneslai Close
Barnsley
S70 2HS
Tel: (01226) 772258
Email: cypf@barnsley.gov.uk

Key documents:

• Application Form For Co-opted/Community Governors
• Application form for LEA governors
• LEA Governors' Re-application Form
• Temporary Community Governor Application Form
• Temporary LEA Governor Application Form
• Temporary Parent Governor Application Form
• Temporary Staff Governor Application Form  
• Appointment of governors
• LEA Governor Vacancies (October 2008)
• DfES Governors website
• Longcar Professional Development Centre
• Executive Director's Briefing - Summer Term 2008 - Minutes