Toggle mobile menu visibility

School governors frequently asked questions

Some of our most frequently asked questions.

When do governing body meetings take place?
Do you get paid to be a governor?
What happens in a governing body meeting?
What are the time commitments with becoming a governor?
What committees are there?
How is the committee membership determined?
Do you need to have children to be a governor?
What is the application process?
Is there training available?
Is there a different governing body make up in faith schools?
How many years are you appointed as a governor?
Are you entitled to time off work?
Do you have to have a background in education?
What skills are useful?
How many people are on a governing body?
Are there any childcare options whilst I attend a meeting?
I have a disability can I still become a governor?

 

 

When do governing body meetings take place?
It all depends on the school, however meetings are typically after the school day beginning any time between 3.30pm - 6.00pm but some schools do hold meetings in the school day.

 

Do you get paid to be a governor?
No, this is a voluntary role that you will find rewarding in many ways.

 

What happens in a governing body meeting?
Meetings are chaired by the Chair of Governors following an agenda with all governors given the opportunity to ask challenging questions about the running of the school. The clerk to governors will take minutes at the meeting recording key decisions.

 

What are the time commitments with becoming a governor?
The governing body must meet at least once per term. Meetings on average are 1.5 - 2 hours. You may be asked to serve on at least one committee. How often these meet will vary, but it is not unusual for some committees to meet each half term.

 

What committees are there?
Statutory committees (only convened when necessary):

Staff discipline and dismissal
Staff discipline and dismissal appeals
Pupil discipline and exclusion
Admissions (for voluntary aided schools only)

Non-statutory committee examples are as follows:

Finance
Health and safety
Curriculum
Pay and personnel

 

How is the committee membership determined?
Committee membership is agreed at the AGM which usually takes place in the autumn term.

 

Do you need to have children to be a governor?
No, all we ask is for you to be willing to work as part of a team to support, challenge, and ask questions to help our schools improve so children can thrive.

 

What is the application process?
This very much depends on the category of governor:

Parent - parent governors are elected as representatives of the interests of parents of pupils currently attending the school. Parent governors may express their personal views at governing body meetings, however it is expected that these views would be representative of the interests of the parents at the school.
Local authority - appointed by Swansea Council via the local authority appointment group made up of the Director of Education and the Cabinet Member for Education.
Community - these governors are invited by other governors to join the governing body and are appointed by the governing body. Community members bring their own experience.
Teachers - are elected by teaching staff within their school.
Staff - are elected by staff members within their school.
Additional community - nominated by the community council within the area.
Foundation (voluntary aided schools only) - nominated by the diocese.

 

Is there training available?
Yes, there is an extensive governor training programme available from the local authority.

 

Is there a different governing body make up in faith schools?
Faith schools have 'foundation' governors in place of community governors who are appointed by the diocese.

 

How many years are you appointed as a governor?
You are appointed for a four year term but you can seek reappointment after your term if you wish to continue. You can stand down at any time during this period.

 

Are you entitled to time off work?
Many employers encourage their staff to become school governors. They realise that the skills gained through being a school governor are transferable to the workplace.

Employment law gives people the right to reasonable unpaid time off and some employers give paid leave for school governor duties.

 

Do you have to have a background in education?
No, you don't have to have currently knowledge of the current education system nor do you have to have been educated in the UK, but the following is important:

  • A commitment to undertake mandatory new governor training and other supplementary training that may be identified in order to update knowledge and skills, which will enhance an individual's effectiveness as a governor.
  • A commitment to regular attendance at meetings of the governing body and any committees to which they are appointed.
  • A desire to raise the standards of education within the school.
  • A willingness to share skills and expertise within the context of the governing body.

 

What skills are useful?
These are some of the skills beneficial to the governor role:

Generic skills, knowledge and experience:

  • School governance
  • Strategic planning
  • Self-evaluation and / or impact assessment
  • Data analysis
  • Experience of staff recruitment
  • Performance management (staff / organisation)
  • Community relations
  • Chairing / leadership
  • Coaching / mentoring
  • Negotiation and mediation
  • Handling complaints, grievances, appeals
  • Risk assessment

Local knowledge:

  • Knowledge of the school
  • Knowledge of the local community
  • Knowledge of sources of relevant information / data
  • Knowledge of the local / regional economy and business

Specialist knowledge or experience:

  • Financial management / accountancy
  • Estates (buildings and premises) management
  • Human resources expertise
  • Procurement / purchasing
  • Legal
  • ICT and / or management information systems
  • PR and marketing / commercial experience
  • Teaching and pedagogy
  • Additional learning needs and disability
  • Children and young peoples services or activities
  • Health services
  • Safeguarding
  • Primary schools
  • Secondary schools
  • Project management
  • Health and safety
  • Quality assurance.

There is an extensive training programme available so you will also be given the opportunity to develop any skills needed to support you in the role if necessary.

 

How many people are on a governing body?
 

A typical governing body is made up of the following governors:
SecondaryPrimary
HeadteacherHeadteacher
Parent 6 / 5Parent 4 / 3
Staff 1Staff 1
Local authority 5 / 4Local authority 4 / 3
Community 5 / 4Community 4 / 3
Foundation 5 / 4 (voluntary aided schools only)Foundation 5 / 4 (voluntary aided schools only)
Additional community 1Additional community 1
Associate pupil 2 / 1 

 

Are there any childcare options whilst I attend a meeting?
It is best to contact the school to discuss this further.

 

I have a disability can I still become a governor?
Yes, we welcome people from all backgrounds including disability. We would suggest you speak to the school direct to discuss your requirements and how these can best be met.

 

Close Choose Language

Share this page

Facebook icon Twitter icon Email icon

Print

Print icon
Last modified on 04 October 2022