Join the Governing Board

Interested in Becoming a School Governor?

Over 250,000 people across England volunteer as school governors, helping to shape the future of education. By joining our governing board as a parent governor, you can play a vital role in supporting school leadership and improving outcomes for all pupils.

Being a governor is a rewarding experience. You’ll be part of a team working towards the shared goal of delivering excellent education for children and young people in your community. It’s also a great opportunity for personal and professional growth—developing your skills in areas like strategic planning, budgeting, and leadership.

What do governors do?

Governing boards meet regularly, usually around six times a year to focus on the school’s long-term vision and goals. They help shape the school’s culture and values, and respond to new challenges and opportunities. Governors work closely with the headteacher, offering support and constructive challenge.

If the school is maintained by the local authority, its board is made up of governors. In contrast, academy trust boards are made up of trustees—but both roles share similar responsibilities:

Governors are responsible for:

• Setting the school’s vision and strategy

• Monitoring finances to ensure funds are used effectively

• Holding school leaders accountable for pupil achievement

• Engaging with the wider school community, including parents, staff, and pupils

Governors may also:

• Attend board meetings (typically six per year, often outside school hours)

• Review school performance data and discuss progress with leadership

• Visit the school to observe plans in action and hear from pupils and staff

• Help recruit and appoint a new headteacher if needed

• Make decisions on matters like exclusions or staff discipline

• Complete induction and ongoing training to stay up to date

You can [watch this video] to learn more about what the role involves.

Who can be a governor?

You don’t need to have a background in education or be a parent—governing boards benefit from a broad mix of perspectives, skills, and experiences. There are no formal qualifications required.

To volunteer, you must:

• Be 18 or older

• Have time to commit (governors typically spend 10–20 days per year on duties, some of which may take place during working hours)

• Meet eligibility requirements under current regulations

If you're interested or would like to check if we have a current vacancy, please contact the school office.