There are a variety of different roles within the Governing board but ultimately it involves working with the Headteacher and Senior Leadership team to make sure that the pupils at the school receive the best possible education.
All Governing Boards have three core functions:
- Ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction;
- Holding the headteacher to account for the educational performance of the school and its pupils, and the performance management of staff; and
- Overseeing the financial performance of the school and making sure its money is well spent.
The Governance Handbook addresses Governors' responsibilities in detail and can be accessed through the Department for Education - Running a school or college website along with other essential documents.
What commitment do Governors give?
As a Governor you will be required to attend full Governing Board meetings plus additional committee meetings, school visits and training sessions. Wolverhampton Council provides a fully subsidised training programme throughout the school year.
If you care about the education of children, are prepared to listen, read and ask questions, and would like to participate as part of a team, then becoming a Governor can be an enjoyable and rewarding way to play an active part in your community.
What is it like to be a School Governor?
Watch the video below to find out what it is really like to be a School Governor in Wolverhampton. The video features four of our current School Governors and gives an insight into why they chose to be involved, and why you might want to as well.
Types of Governor
- Parent - have a child in school
- Staff - Are a member of staff in the school
- Foundation - Appointed by the school's founding body, when it is a Church-run school
- Local authority - Appointed to represent and report back to the Local Authority
- Co-opted - Appointed to the Governing Board because of a specific skill set needed on the board.
Each school is responsible for managing the recruitment of their Governing Board, except in the case of Local Authority representatives, who are nominated by the School Workforce team in City of Wolverhampton Council. However, if you are interested in being a Governor, do contact us and we can put you in contact with appropriate schools.
Contact Us
- E-mail: kay.mason@wolverhampton.gov.uk
- Write to: School Governance Coordinator , Education Excellence, Education Department , 1st Floor, Civic Centre , St Peter's Square , Wolverhampton , WV1 1RR