What do school governors do?

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School governors help raise standards of achievement and make sure the school provides a good quality education.

The headteacher and staff look after the day-to-day running of the school, but governors help make decisions about the school’s future.

Governors do not work alone. Only the full governing body has legal powers and duties.

Their choices can affect pupils, teachers, parents, and the local community. 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. They are not there to rubber-stamp decisions. Governors are responsible for how the school is performing. They have to be prepared to support and challenge their headteacher by gathering views, asking questions, and deciding what’s best for the pupils.

The roles of a school governor

Here are the three main roles of school governors:

Helping with the school’s plans (Strategic Overview): Governors help set goals for the school, help choose the headteacher, and make choices about money and staff. They also help make sure all pupils, even those with special educational needs, get the help they need.
Being a “critical friend”: Governors meet with the headteacher often to talk about how the school is doing. They check that plans are working well and everyone knows their roles. Governors get to know the school so they can help and give advice.
Making the school answer for its actions (Accountability): The headteacher tells the governors how things are going. Governors write reports and share information with parents and the Local Authority. They also go to school events and read reports to keep up to date.