Applying to become a school governor

In general: 

• registered pupils cannot be governors
• a governor must be aged 18 or over at the time of election or appointment
• a person cannot hold more than one governor post at the same school at the same time 

A person cannot be a:  

• parent governor if they are an elected member of the local authority or paid to work at the school for more than 500 hours in any consecutive twelve-month period (at the time of election or appointment)
• local authority governor if they are eligible to be a staff governor
• partnership governor if they are a parent of a registered pupil at the school, eligible to be a staff governor at the school, or connected to the local authority 

A person cannot be a governor if they: 

• have declared bankruptcy or are subject to a debt relief restrictions order
• are disqualified from being the trustee of a charity
• are prohibited from working
• have a criminal conviction or refuse to apply for a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check
• are disqualified from working with children  

Governors or prospective governors must notify the clerk to the governing body if any of the grounds for disqualification apply. 

Speak to Governor Services in confidence for advice on disqualifications.