School governors
Governors are unpaid volunteers responsible for the oversight and strategic management of their school, including the curriculum, finance, premises, staff and pupils.
All of the Royal Borough’s maintained schools are required by law to have a governing body. There is no upper limit as to the size of the governing body and the minimum is seven. However, guidance states that governing bodies should be smaller rather than larger in size.
Types of governor
- Parent governors - elected by the parents at the school
- Staff governors - elected by the staff at the school (this does not include the head teacher who is an ex-officio)
- Co-opted governors - co-opted by the governing body
- Local Authority governors - nominated by the local authority
- Foundation governors - appointed by the church authorities
Governors are elected by the parents or staff at the school, or are nominated by the Council, church authorities (in the case of church schools) or by the governing body itself. The Council makes its nominations to governing bodies by seeking nominations from the political parties represented on the Council.
The Council provides information and training for governors, free of charge, to assist them in carrying out their duties.
Becoming a governor
If you are interested in applying to be a school governor please complete the application form. If your skills match a school's requirements your details can then be forwarded to a school who are looking to fill a vacancy on their governing body.
Return your completed form to Julie Farmer, Governor Support Officer, Town Hall, Hornton Street, W8 7NX (julie.farmer@rbkc.gov.uk, 07739 315 429).
School governance guidance and legislation
The School Governance (Roles, Procedures and Allowances) (England) Regulations 2013 [PDF] (file size 463Kb)
Statutory policies 2014 [PDF] (file size 552Kb)