Applying to become a school governor

There are different ways to join a governing board, such as: 

• Parent governors, who are elected by the parents of pupils at the school
• Staff governors, who are elected by the school
• Local authority governors who are nominated by a local authority and appointed by the governing body of a school
• Co-opted governors who are appointed for their skills by the governing body
• Associate members are appointed to committees, but not full board members
• Foundation or Partnership governors who support a school’s founding values or religious belief 

Every maintained school must include at least: 

• two parent governors
• one staff governor
• one local authority governor
• the head teacher (unless they opt out) 

The governing body may also appoint the number of co-opted governors as they consider necessary.  

The total number of co-opted governors who are also eligible to be elected as staff governors when counted with the staff governor and the head teacher, must not exceed one third of the total membership of the governing body.  

More details on these roles are available on the Hub.