School governors are people who have an interest within a school, and are selected from parents, staff, local authorities and members of the public.
They have a range of responsibilities including the school’s management, its standards, the way it deals with pupils and staff, its relationship with the wider community and certain financial matters, to name but a few.
School governors are also responsible for broad matters of policy, however, detailed implementation of the policies is carried out by the teachers and other professionals.
What to expect at governors' meetings
New faces - to help you remember who everybody is, why not sketch a seating plan and jot down names as people introduce themselves. Don't worry if you don't get down all the names, there will be other meetings and opportunities to get the information.
Formalities - governor meetings are formal and to some may be quite unfamiliar. For many people, this may be a new experience. If possible arrange to meet a governor before the meeting to chat about the process. There may also be someone on the panel that will look after new governors.
Jargon - you will learn a great deal about the school and local authority. The meetings provide information, discussions and will make recommendations needed to help run the school more efficiently.
Commitment - Although you are giving your time freely, because the school is important to the children and the community it serves, your governing body and the school need your commitment to the role.
Support for governors - There are a number of ways governors in Durham can access advice, support and training to help them. The school and Governor Support Service are usually the first point of contact.
Useful links
Governor Development Unit
What does a governor do?
How to become a school governor or associate member
Useful websites
Department for Children, Schools and Families DCSF
Governornet
Teachernet Website
National College for School Leadership
National Governors' Association
Office for Standards in Education