School governors and academy trustees are volunteers who help run state-funded schools at a high level. Their job is to guide the overall direction of the school and make sure the headteacher and leadership team are doing a good job. They check things like how well pupils are doing, how money is being used, whether standards are high, and whether children are safe.
Both roles are important because they help schools aim high and make sure pupils get the best education possible.
Anyone can become a school governor or trustee. You don’t need to be a parent or have special skills; training is provided. It’s a great way to give something back to your local community.
The role lets you work with others, help make important decisions, and influence how a school develops. It’s also a chance to build your own skills, meet new people, and make a real difference to children’s lives.
About Harrow Schools
Harrow has a strong network of over 700 volunteer governors supporting around 60 schools. It is one of London’s larger boroughs and is known for being very diverse, with people from many different religious and ethnic backgrounds. This diversity makes schools in Harrow lively and inclusive places, and gives governors and trustees the chance to work in varied and supportive communities.
The borough is home to 60,452 children and young people under the age of 18. This represents around 22% of the total population. Over 37,000 pupils are educated in Harrow’s schools.
For example, around 41% of children in Harrow live in households with low income, with higher levels in areas such as Edgware and Wealdstone North. In addition, nearly 5,900 children and young people in Harrow have special educational needs and receive SEN support. This reinforces the importance of informed, inclusive governance to help make sure every child gets the support they need to succeed.
What do School Governors and Trustees do?
Governing bodies and trust boards work closely with the headteacher and senior school leaders to set goals and policies. Their aim is to help the school keep improving and provide the best possible education for all pupils.
All governing bodies, whether for a local authority school or an academy, have key responsibilities set out by the Department for Education.
- Strategic Direction and Leadership – Defining and fostering the school / trusts long term vision, values, ethos and culture
- Accountability and Assurance – Holding the Headteacher or Executive Leader to account for the educational performance of the school and it’s pupils
- Financial Oversight – Ensuring money is well spent and the school’s budget is managed effectively
- Stakeholder relationships – Involving parents, pupils, staff and communities so that decisions are informed by these perspectives
- Safeguarding – overseeing the schools safeguarding arrangements
If you would like to read more about the roles and responsibilities of governors and trustees the links below will take you to the guidance published by the Department for Education
What is the commitment?
Governors and Trustees need to be able to commit time and energy to the work of their Board. This includes:
- Attendance at Full Board and Committee meetings. On average there are 6 or 7 meetings a year but this may vary dependent on the school. These meetings often happen outside of school hours
- Time to read briefing papers and reports in advance of meetings
- Occasional visits to the school during the school day
- Commitment to training and briefing sessions
- Willingness to share skills and experience for the benefit of the school
Who will I work with?
Governing Boards comprise individuals selected for their diverse perspectives and experiences:
- Parent Governors - elected by parents / carers of pupils at the school
- Co-opted Governors – appointed by the Governing Board for specific skills and experience
- An LA Appointed Governor – appointed by the Local Authority as a link
- A Staff Governor – elected by the school’s teaching and support staff
- The Headteacher
- Foundation Governors – appointed by the school’s founding body, such as a church, to uphold the school’s specific character
Am I eligible to be a Governor?
Most people aged 18 or over can become a school governor or trustee. It is a voluntary role and you do not need any specific qualifications.
There are some legal reasons why someone may not be eligible, these include:
- Bankruptcy
- Previous disqualification from governance roles
- Disqualification from working in school or with children
- Criminal convictions
All governors must be willing to complete a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. They must also take safeguarding training.
Will I be trained?
Harrow has a comprehensive governor training programme for new and experienced governors. See further information on training.
Feedback on our training programme is positive. It provides governors the confidence and knowledge they need for their role.
- “Following the training session I am feeling confident about my role”
- “I know what questions to ask and I know who I can ask when I need support”
- “Explanations were clear and detailed, all our queries were answered”
How do I apply?
Governing Boards are made up of individuals from a variety of backgrounds. Boards will consider their diversity to ensure that they represent the community that the school services. Harrow Schools are committed to ensuring equality of opportunity for all, irrespective of race, gender, disability, religion or belief.
Please send your completed application form to governorservices@harrow.gov.uk