School governors
School governors play a vital role in raising standards in our schools. Every school in Bedfordshire has its own governing body which is made up of staff from the school, parents and members of the public who are committed to serving the best interests of the school and contributing to the school’s efforts in raising standards.
Governing bodies meet at least three times each year and most schools also have committee meetings on a termly basis. Governors come from all walks of life and each governing body comprises different categories of governor. It is possible to be elected as a parent governor if you have a child at the school.
Being a school governor
What do governors do?
- promote high standards of educational attainment;
- set targets for pupil achievement;
- take general responsibility for the conduct of the school;
- manage the school's budget, including deciding how many staff will work there and their pay;
- make sure that the curriculum is balanced and broadly based, in particular, that the National Curriculum and religious education are taught, and report on pupils' achievement in National Curriculum assessments and examination results;
- participate in the appointment of senior staff (including appointing the head teacher) and regulate staff conduct and discipline;
- draw up an action plan after an inspection by the Office for Standards in Education (Ofsted).
Why do schools need governors?
Every school has a governing body to represent the public in the running of schools. School governors bring perspectives from ordinary life and work with the staff and the Local Authority to help secure the best possible education for the children in the school. They have important responsibilities such as managing the school budget, overseeing the curriculum and appointing staff.
Becoming a governor
- I declare that I am aged 18 or over and the following statements are true:
- I do not already hold a governorship at the same school;
- I am not liable to be detained under the Mental Health Act 1983;
- I am not a bankrupt or subject to a disqualification order under the Company Directors Disqualification Act 1986 or to an order made under section 429(2)(b) of the Insolvency Act 1986;
- I have not been removed from the office of a charity trustee or trustee for a charity by an order made by the Charity Commissioners or the High Court on the grounds of any misconduct or mismanagement or, under section 7 of the Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Scotland) Act 1990, from being concerned in the management or control of any body;
- I am not included in the list (List 99) of teachers and workers with children or young persons whose employment is prohibited or restricted;
- I am not disqualified from being the proprietor of any independent school or for being a teacher or other employee in any school;
- I have not, in the five years prior to becoming a governor, received a sentence of imprisonment, suspended or otherwise, for a period of not less than three months without the option of a fine;
- I have not, in the twenty years prior to becoming a governor, been convicted as aforesaid of any offence and has had passed on me a sentence of imprisonment for a period of not less than two and a half years;
- I have not, at any time, had passed on me a sentence of imprisonment for a period of not less than five years;
- I have not been fined, in the five years prior to becoming a governor, for causing a nuisance or disturbance on education premises;
- I am not subject to a disqualification order under the Criminal Justice and Court Services Act 2000.
Selection criteria for governors
In making decisions on the appointment of Local Authority Governors the following criteria needs to be met:
- has a commitment to, and an interest in, education;
- has a desire to support the school concerned;
- has a willingness to serve the local community;
- has skills and experience which will support the work of the school;
- has the ability to work as a member of a team;
- is able to arrange their commitments to fit in with membership of a Governing Body;
- will respect the Council's views on education matters at Governing Body meetings.
If you are interested in becoming a governor, please contact the Governor Support Office on 0300 300 8105.