The role of the governing body is:

• To ensure clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction
• To hold the headteacher to account for the educational performance of the school and its pupils, and the performance management of staff
• To oversee the financial performance of the school and make sure its money is well spent
• To set a broad framework within which the head-teacher can work
• Concerned with the general oversight of the conduct of the school
• Making sure school buildings are welcoming and safe

Please note: The headteacher is responsible for the organisation and management within the school.

The purpose of having a governing body is:

• To help the school to set high standards by planning for the school's future and setting targets for school improvement;
• To be involved, and part of, the schools' self-evaluation;
• To be a critical friend to the school, offering the school its support and advice;
• To help the school to be responsive to the needs of parents and the community and make the school accountable to the public for what it does;
• To work with the school on planning, developing policies and keeping the school under review;
• To exercise its responsibilities and powers in partnership with the Headteacher and staff;
• Not to intervene in the day-to-day management of the school, unless there are weaknesses in the school, when they then have a duty to take action.

A school's governing body is a corporate body. This means that it has a legal existence separate from that of its individual members. As long as governors have acted honestly, without ulterior motive, and reasonably, within the law and regulations, they cannot be held to account as individuals for any liabilities incurred by the governing body.

Can I be a school governor? What do they do?

Who can be a school governor? 

You don't have to have children at the school to be a governor. However, you do have to be over 18, and pass a formal check for your suitability to be within a school.  No specific qualifications are required but there are certain expectations.

What's really important is that you have the skills, time and commitment to help drive school improvement and the passion and ambition to achieve the best possible education for children and young people. 

As a school governor you are expected to:

• Work as a member of the governing body for the best interests of the school
• Attend the regular meetings and special meetings of the governing body
• Serve on committees which deal with the governing body's legal obligations
• Become familiar with general educational issues and developments
• Take an interest in school activities
• Promote the school within the local community
• Commit time to the duties and responsibilities of being a governor;

You are expected to be involved in:

• Staff appointments and discipline
• Pupil discipline
• The school curriculum
• The financial management of the school
• The school development and action plan
• Health and safety matters
• Governor training: New governors are expected to attend a one day induction course.  This is essential to helping you understand your role so you can begin to make a positive difference to your governing body. 

Please note: The headteacher is responsible for the organisation and management within the school.

Governors can be:

• Parents - elected by parents with children on the school roll
• Members of staff - elected by staff at the school
• Appointees of Lincolnshire County Council
• Appointees of an organisation or foundation, such as the Church
• Co-opted governors - appointed by the governing body Partnership governors (in foundation schools only) - nominated by parents and members of the community

Once appointed, all governors have the same rights, powers and responsibilities.