School governors

You or your employees can develop new skills by becoming a school governor and help prepare young people for the world of work.

Schools need skilled people from the world of work on their governing boards more than ever, helping to set the strategic direction of schools while developing their own skillsets. 

School and college governors and trustees make a valuable contribution to young people’s education, opportunities and futures. Governors and trustees play a crucial role in improving performance by providing support and challenge to the headteacher / principal and their leadership team. Governing boards that have a balance and diversity of knowledge, skills and experience enable it to be effective.

Inspiring employers to support school governance - YouTube

The North East LEP have signed a School Governor Champion Charter with Inspiring Governance and actively support employees to volunteer, as part of the partnership we actively promote across our networks through face to face events and online material.

North East - Local Enterprise Partnership - Inspiring Governance

What are the benefits to becoming a school governor?

Being a governor or trustee is a challenging but hugely rewarding role. It provides the chance to make a real difference to young people, give something back to local communities and use and develop skills in a board-level environment.

It is the largest volunteer force in the country: there are over a quarter of a million volunteers governing state funded schools alone in England.

Who can apply?

Anyone over the age of 18 can be a school governor – you don’t need to be a parent or have any special education experience. 

How much time does this involve? 

Volunteers usually spend between five and eight hours per month on governing duties. This is a mix of meetings, school visits and reading documents. The standard term of office is four years, but of course if your circumstances change you’re free to resign any time.

Find out more about being a governor

Inspiring employers to support school governance

Inspiring Governance is launching a new national campaign that highlights how organisations, employees and young people benefit from employees supporting school governance.

Inspiring Governance - shaping the future of local schools

An insight into the importance of school governance and the steps to take to volunteer as a school governor.

An SME perspective: why school governance worked for Marmax Products

Discover what inspired David Johnson, General Manager, at Marmax Products in County Durham, to begin volunteering as a school governor, how he is already using his skills in the role and why others in the North East business community should get involved too. 

What does a school governor do?

Tracey Booth MBE, Chair of Governors at Churchill Community College, shares her thoughts.

The importance of good school governance

What qualities make a good governor? Find out in this blogpost by Louise Levy, governor at Cardinal Hume Catholic School.

North East LEP signs School Governor Champion Charter

The North East Local Enterprise Partnership was the first LEP in the country to sign the School Governor Champion Charter, which aims to champion the role of school governors.


Careers Link Governors

Careers Link Governors Toolkit

Find out more about the role of a Careers Link Governor and access a range of supporting resources for prospective and current link governors.


Case studies

David Coe: enterprise coordinator and volunteer school governor

Neil Willis: North East CA regional lead and school governor

Hannah Cummins: North East CA skills team and school governor

Could you go Back to School as a school governor?


National organisations

National Governance Association

Inspiring Governance

New Schools Network

Association of Colleges

Governors for Schools


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