The governing body

Every school we fund has a governing body of at least 7 members that is made up of different people from the community.

Types of governors

Parent

Parent governors are elected by other parents at the school. 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 stand for election, parent governors may be appointed by the governing body.

Staff

Teaching and support staff who, at the time of election, are employed to work at the school are eligible to be staff governors. Staff governors are elected by the school staff and cease to hold office when they cease to work at the school.

The head teacher is automatically a member of the governing board. If they decide to not 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

Associate members can be appointed by the governing body to serve on one or more governing body committees and attend full governing body meetings.

Associate members can be school staff, pupils or people who contribute specifically on issues related to their area of expertise. However, they are not governors and are therefore not recorded on 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 please email governorservices@theeducationpeople.org.

Visit the GovernorHub website for resources, nominations and forms.