When I joined One Education as a clerk, I was returning to work after ten years away to raise my four children. Although I had a degree in Primary Education, I knew very little about the role of school governors. Like many people, I understood what teachers, leaders and support staff did, but I had never really considered who was responsible for supporting and holding schools to account at a strategic level.
Working alongside governing boards quickly opened my eyes to the important role governors play in shaping the direction of schools and improving outcomes for children. The more I learned, the more I realised just how much impact effective governance can have.
A few years later, an opportunity arose to become a parent governor at my children’s primary school. I saw it as a chance to give something back to a school community that had supported my family, while also better understanding the strategic decisions that influence children’s education. What started as a volunteer role has since led me to become Chair of Governors at both a Maintained Primary School and a Special Educational Needs Academy.
So, what do school governors actually do?
One of the biggest misconceptions about governance is that governors run schools. In reality, school leaders are responsible for the day-to-day operation of a school, while governors provide strategic oversight, support and challenge.
Governors work with school leaders to set the long-term vision and direction of the school, monitor progress against key priorities, oversee finances, ensure statutory responsibilities are met and hold leaders accountable for educational performance. They ask questions, seek assurance, provide independent perspectives and help ensure decisions are made in the best interests of pupils.
Put simply, governors help create the conditions that allow schools to succeed.
The role also provides a fascinating insight into the complexity of modern schools. Through governance, I have developed a far greater understanding of areas such as finance, safeguarding, SEND provision, curriculum development, risk management and school improvement planning. Experiencing governance from both sides of the table has also strengthened my own work as a governance professional and given me a much deeper appreciation of the challenges facing school leaders.
The impact of school governors
Much of the work school governors do happens behind the scenes, but its impact is significant.
Effective governance helps ensure that leaders are supported while also being constructively challenged. It provides accountability, strategic thinking and independent scrutiny. School governors contribute to decisions that can influence everything from school improvement priorities and resource allocation to inclusion, attendance and pupil wellbeing.
The ultimate beneficiaries are children and young people. Strong governance supports strong leadership, and strong leadership helps create the best possible educational experience for pupils.
Why schools need more governors
What many people do not realise is that school governance is the largest volunteer community in the country. Hundreds of thousands of people volunteer their time to support schools and academies, yet there continues to be a national shortage of governors and trustees.
This matters because schools cannot operate effectively without governance. Every maintained school and academy requires people who are willing to step forward and fulfil these important strategic roles. Without governors and trustees, schools lose the support, challenge and oversight that help them remain accountable and focused on delivering the best outcomes for pupils.
The need for volunteers has never been greater.
You don’t need an education background
Whenever I talk to people about governance, one concern comes up repeatedly: “I don’t work in education, so what could I possibly offer?”
My answer is always the same: plenty.
The most effective governing boards are made up of people with diverse skills, experiences and perspectives. Schools benefit from governors with backgrounds in business, finance, law, HR, healthcare, technology, customer service, engineering and countless other walks of life.
In fact, people with no educational background often ask the most insightful questions because they bring a fresh perspective. Governing boards need challenge as well as expertise, and diverse voices strengthen decision-making.
For anyone looking to develop professionally, governance also provides valuable experience in leadership, strategy, communication, financial oversight, accountability and decision-making. These are skills that transfer into almost any career.
I would particularly encourage younger professionals and those with ambitions to progress into leadership roles to consider becoming a governor. The experience gained is invaluable and demonstrates a commitment to leadership, community engagement and strategic thinking that can significantly enhance a CV.
For anyone considering becoming a governor, my advice is simple: don’t wait until you feel like an expert. Schools need people who are willing to listen, learn, ask thoughtful questions and contribute their perspective.
Governance is an opportunity to make a genuine difference to your local community while developing skills that will stay with you throughout your career. Whether you work in education or not, you may have far more to offer than you realise, and schools need people like you now more than ever.
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