Who can become a governor?

Almost anyone over 18 years of age can become a governor. There are no particular qualifications or requirements, other than a willingness to give time to the role and a capacity for working with other people. There are different types of school with different categories of governor.

The types of state schools in England are:

  • community
  • voluntary controlled
  • voluntary aided
  • foundation
  • trust – a type of foundation school
  • academies, free Schools & City Technology Colleges (CTCs) – independent state funded schools

There are also different categories of governor:

  • parent
  • staff
  • foundation
  • partnership
  • local authority
  • co-opted

The type of governor you will become depends on your situation; however all governors have the same roles and responsibilities once part of the governing board.

How do I become a governor/trustee?

If you think you have what it takes to be a school governor or trustee there are a number of ways of finding schools that have vacancies:

  • You can use the free Inspiring Governance website
  • You can contact your local school to ask if they need a new governor/trustee
  • You can contact your local council