Become a school governor
A school governor is a volunteer who helps to oversee the management and strategic direction of a school. Governors play a vital role in ensuring that schools are well-run and provide the best possible education for their pupils.
You could become a school governor if you are aged 18 or over and:
- want to make a positive difference to the education of local children
- can get on with other people and work as part of a team (your employer may have a policy that allows you to do volunteering work during working hours)
- have some time to spare to attend meetings and to read necessary papers
- are ready to learn and open to new ideas
- are willing to put something into your local community
You don't need any formal qualifications and you don't need to be a parent to be a governor. You can access full training and support to make sure you are fully equipped to carry out the role successfully.
If you would like to be a school governor, or are interested in finding out more, contact the Governor Service central team at ECSGovernors.CentralTeam@lancashire.gov.uk.
What do governors do?
As a governor, you’ll:
- help set the school’s vision and direction
- hold leaders to account for performance and progress
- oversee budgets and ensure resources are used wisely
You do not need educational expertise but you do need to be committed to your school, willing to ask questions and act as a critical friend.
Realistically, as a school governor, you will need to attend one full governing body meeting each term. You will also be asked to serve on at least one committee which will probably meet once or occasionally twice a term. So that is about three meetings per term. You will need to read the documents and information to prepare for the meetings.
You will need to get to know your school well (if you don't already) preferably by visiting when the school is in session and the pupils are in school. However this may not always be possible and some governors keep in touch with school life through after school events such as fundraising or charity events, Parents Teachers and Friends Association meetings, sports days, school parties and holidays.
Being a school governor is a rewarding way to give back to your community while developing valuable skills. You’ll help shape the future of local education, support school leadership, and make a real difference in children’s lives.
Along the way, you’ll:
- build leadership, financial, and strategic planning skills
- gain insight into the education system
- access free training and development
- connect with a network of passionate, like-minded people
Watch this YouTube video by the National Governance Association, which explains the role of school governors.
Categories of governor
There are different types of governors.
Some people cannot become governors, find out more about the grounds for disqualification.
Local authority governors are appointed by the local authority (Lancashire County Council) or nominated by the local authority and appointed by the governing body.
Anyone who is eligible to be a staff governor cannot be appointed as a local authority governor, but any other eligible person can.
If you think you might like to become a local authority governor, fill in a local authority governor expression of interest form or complete the local authority governor application form.
Parents, including carers, of pupils at the school are eligible to stand for election as parent governors. They are elected by other parents. If not enough parents stand for election, the governing body can appoint parent governors.
The law does not allow elected members of the local authority, or people who work at the school for more than 500 hours in a year, to become parent governors.
The headteacher makes arrangements for holding an election if there is a vacancy for a parent governor at the school.
Staff governors are elected by the school staff. Both teaching and support staff employed to work at the school are eligible for staff governorship; volunteers are not eligible.
The headteacher makes arrangements for holding an election if there is a vacancy for a staff governor at the school.
Co-opted governors are appointed by the governing body and are people who the governing body believes have skills which will contribute to the effective governance and success of the school.
If you are interested in becoming a co-opted governor at a particular school, you should contact the chair of governors at the school. We may also be able to advise: contact the Governor Service central team at ECSGovernors.CentralTeam@lancashire.gov.uk
Foundation governors are only in voluntary schools and some foundation schools, often affiliated with religious organisations such as the Church of England of the Roman Catholic Church.
They are appointed to preserve and develop the religious ethos of the school.
If you are interested in becoming a foundation governor at a church school, you should contact the appropriate diocese.
Contacts
Contact our Governor Service central team at ECSGovernors.CentralTeam@lancashire.gov.uk for more information and advice on becoming a school governor.
External contacts
Department for Education (DfE) schools governance guide
The DfE provides guidance and information for school governors.
The Lancashire Governance Association
An independent Governors' association for school governors in Lancashire. An organisation run by governors for governors.
National Governors' Association
A national independent voluntary organisation for governors.