School governors

Every school has a governing board to represent the public in the running of schools. School governors work with the staff and the Local Authority to help secure the best possible education for the children in the school. They have important responsibilities such as managing the school budget, overseeing the curriculum, and appointing staff.

Governors are responsible for:

• promoting high standards
• setting targets for pupil achievement
• taking general responsibility for the conduct of the school
• managing the school's budget, including staff levels and pay
• ensuring that the curriculum is balanced and broadly based, that the National Curriculum and religious education are taught, and reporting on pupils' achievement in National Curriculum assessments and examination results
• participating in the appointment of senior staff including the headteacher and regulating staff conduct and discipline
• drawing up an action plan after an inspection by the Office for Standards in Education (Ofsted)

You must have a willingness to serve the local community and to support the school concerned. You should have skills and experience which will support the work of the school, be able to arrange commitments to fit in with membership of a governing board, and respect the Council's views on education at governing board meetings.