What is a community governor?

Community governors are appointed by the governing body. They are intended to enable the governing body to add specific areas of expertise to the governing body. When deciding who to co-opt, governors should make sure that the governing body reflects a balance of interests.

It is desirable for the local business community to be represented on the governing body. All categories of school, except voluntary aided schools, have community governors. Community governors cannot be employed to work at the school, be pupils currently at the school (even if aged 18 or over), or be elected member of the local authority. However, employees of the local authority may be co-opted. Parents of pupils, both of those currently at the school and of pupils who have left the school are eligible for appointment as co-opted governors.