The governing body
Every school we fund has a governing body. At least 7 members consisting of people from the community make up the body.
Types of governors
Parent
Other parents at the school elect parent governors. Any parent or carer of a registered pupil at the school at the time of election is eligible. They may continue to hold office until the end of their term of office even if their child leaves the school.
If not enough parents are elected, the governing body may appoint parent governors.
Staff
Teaching and support staff can be staff governors if, at the time of election, they work at the school. The school staff elect staff governors. Once they stop working at the school, they will no longer be a governor.
The head teacher holds a permanent seat on the governing board. If they decide not to be a governor, (s)he must inform the clerk and the place remains reserved.
Authority
Authority governors are nominated by the governing board, and the nomination is approved by the Governor Appointment Panel (GAP). Once approved by the GAP the nomination must be formally appointed by the full governing board. Local authority governors should be nominated for the skills identified in order to contribute to the effective governance and success of the school.
Foundation
Foundation governors are either selected or take the role by the appointing body to which the school is attached.
The appointment is made by the person identified in the instrument of government (usually the school's founding body, church or other organisation). A foundation governor is someone who has the skills to contribute to the effective governance and success of the school, to preserve and develop the religious character of the school (where it has one).
Partnership
Partnership governors are appointed only at foundation and foundation special schools, which do not have a foundation or trustees.
They are usually members of the local community, who want to see the school succeed. The governing body can decide how it will seek nominations, but parents of pupils at the school must be informed that they may make nominations.
Parents of pupils currently at the school, county councillors, or Kent County Council employees may not be appointed as partnership governors.
Governors may appoint partnership governors if they do not receive enough eligible nominations to fill the available vacancies. If a governing body rejects a nomination and subsequently appoints its own nominee it must give reasons for the rejection to the person it has turned down and to us.
Associate members
The governing body can appoint associate members. They serve on one or more committees and attend full meetings.
Associate members can be school staff or pupils. They can also be people who contribute on issues related to their expertise. However, they are not governors. So, they are not in the Instrument of Government. They can have limited voting rights.
Apply to become a governor
Find out more about applying to become a school governor, what you would need to do and what makes a good governor.
If you have any questions email governorservices@theeducationpeople.org.
Visit the GovernorHub website for resources, nominations and forms.