The Role of a School Governor

The role of the school governor is to contribute to the work of the Governing Body in raising standards of achievement for all pupils. This involves providing a strategic view for the school, acting as a critical friend and ensuring accountability.

The individual governor has a responsibility, working alongside other members of the Governing Body, to the staff and pupils of the school, the school’s wider community and where they are representatives, to their particular group (parents, staff, teachers, church; etc).

Responsibilities include:

• developing the strategic plan for the school;
• determining aims, policies and priorities of the school;
• setting statutory and non-statutory targets;
• monitoring and evaluating the work of the school;
• appointment of staff and ensuring the implementation of a range of personnel procedures;
• management of the budget;
• securing high levels of attendance and good standards of pupil behaviour;
• ensuring that all children in the schools have access to a broad and balanced curriculum which is suitable to age, aptitude and ability, which prepares them for adult life;
• ensuring the health and safety of pupils and staff.

Tasks include:

• to get to know the school, its needs, strengths and areas for development;
• to attend meetings (full Governing Body, committees and working groups);
• to work as a member of a team;
• to speak, act and vote in the best interests of the school;
• to represent the perspectives of groups, where appropriate;
• to respect all Governing Body decisions and to support them in public;
• to act within the framework of the policies of the Governing Body and legal requirements;
• to commit to training and development opportunities.