What Governors do

Governors are strategic leaders within schools and have a vital role to play in making sure every child gets the best possible education.

The role of the school governor is demanding but very rewarding and is a great way to give back to your local community. Good schools need good governors.

No one governor is expected to know it all.
The strength of a Local School Committee lies in its ability to attract and rely upon members from a wide variety of backgrounds; share out the duties amongst its members and be able to take decisions as a group.

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The role of the Local School Committee Governor

The LSC is accountable to the Trust board for ensuring that the Headteachers fulfil their responsibilities for educational outcomes for children and young people; safeguarding, SEND; and health & safety of their school.

Each individual governor is a member of a Local School Committee and all decisions are the joint responsibility of the LSC. You will  probably have a special responsibility assigned to you, for example, development and training, safeguarding or SEND.

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• Attend meetings, and be prepared to ask questions after having read the associated paperwork.
• Visit the school to assess your specific responsibility, which might be development and training, safeguarding, SEND, pupil achievement or something more.
• Work in partnership with the Trust and school leadership to ensure an active, high quality and effective programme of stakeholder and community engagement is delivered.
• The expected time commitment is four meetings a year, as well as occasional school visits to assess specific parts of the school’s day-to-day running.

Skills required

The skills you need to become a governor include:

• time, commitment and interest in our children’s future and improving educational outcomes.

• inquisitiveness to read paperwork, analyse and question.
• the ability to assimilate information, make judgments and take decisions.
• good inter-personal skills and the ability to work as a team.
• although not essential, LSCs may be looking for experience of areas such as education,  personnel, business, etc.

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"As a governor, I have found my role to be invaluable in supporting our child's school and contributing to the education of SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) students. It has allowed me to actively engage in shaping policies and initiatives that directly benefit not only my child but all students, including those with SEND. Through collaboration with the school community, I've been able to contribute insights and efforts towards creating a nurturing and enriching learning environment for all students, including those with diverse needs."

- Miriam Watson-Pratt, SEND link Governor, Swillington Primary School

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