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What's a school governor?

| 2 minute read
GOVERNORS AWARENESS DAY 2025 v2 Article V2

School governors are volunteers who sit on a governing board. The job of the board is to help the school be the best it can be for its pupils. The board does this by making sure:

  • Everything a school does is aligned with its vision, ethos and strategy
  • That school leaders are held to account, and
  • That school’s finances are monitored

Boards often meet about 6 times a year to fulfil these functions. You can also become an academy trustee where you sit on a trust board which is responsible for multiple schools.

Why get involved?

  • Develop your own skills: Volunteering on a school or trust governing board helps you to learn and grow, plus it looks great on your CV
  • Board-level experience: It's an opportunity to gain experience in a leadership role and influence strategic direction
  • Build a network: You'll connect with others in your community from different occupations and backgrounds
  • Community contribution: It's a chance to give something back to your local community 
  • Impact: You'll make a positive difference to the educational outcomes of children and young people

What qualifications do you need?

  • All skills and experiences are wanted: You don't need to work in education - many different skills and experiences bring value to a school or trust governing board
  • It's open to everyone: You don't have to need any qualifications
  • Non-parents are welcome too: You don't need to have children to become a school governor
  • Age requirement: You must be 18 or older
  • Time commitment: You'll need to spend a few hours each month dedicated to the task

Hear from trustees Kimberly and Ellie

Why do you volunteer?

Let's spread the word about school and trust governance by sharing a message about why you choose to be part of the biggest volunteer force in England on School Governors' Awareness Day 2024.

Click on the picture below to download an image for social media so you can let everyone know why you choose to get involved: "I volunteer because..." #schoolgovday

Click to download
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Interested? Find out how you can volunteer through Governors for Schools

Governors for Schools is a charity dedicated to supporting education through effective governance. The team sources and supports volunteers from all backgrounds to become school governors, ensuring they can make an impact in their communities and develop new skills. The charity has 25 years of experience, ensuring schools and academies have the people, knowledge, and skills they need to flourish.

 
Find out more

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