School governors are members of their school’s Governing Body, known as a corporate body. A corporate body has a legal identity that is separate from its members and as a result, individual governors are generally protected from personal liability as a result of the Governing Body’s decisions and actions provided they act honestly, reasonably and in good faith.
Individual governors have no power or right to act on behalf of the Governing Body except where the whole Governing Body has delegated a specific function.
School governors are drawn from different parts of the community and can be parents and staff or from the local authority, the community and other groups.
Governor Responsibilities
The Governing Body is responsible for all of the decisions made at the school. It ratifies all policies and procedures and has general responsibility for the conduct of the school with a view to promoting high standards of educational achievement. Its responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
- Setting targets for children’s achievement and progress
- Managing the school’s finances
- Making sure the curriculum is balanced and broadly based
- Appointing staff
- Reviewing staff performance and pay
- Developing the vision for the school
The Governing Body meets regularly, at least once per term. When a governor has served their term or has resigned, elections are held to appoint a new governor. Election information is displayed in the school as and when vacancies arise.
