Be a Christian Governor

What Do Governors Do?

School Governors are the largest volunteer force in the country. Their role is key in shaping the ethos of schools, raising standards and supporting teachers.

• In England and Wales, governors are involved in appointing members of staff, deciding policies and looking after budgets and buildings. The governor's role is that of 'a critical friend', being supportive but not afraid to ask difficult questions.
• In Northern Ireland, governors are responsible for making sure the school provides a good quality education. This includes setting policies, making decisions about budgets, appointing staff and preparing an Annual Report.
• In Scotland, parent councils (previously known as school boards) have a similar role to governing bodies, although they are primarily a means of parents getting involved in the life of the school. 

Getting Involved

There are many routes into governing; as a parent, a teacher or other member of school staff, through church, the local authority and the local community.

• Contact your local school or Local Authority (LA) to find out what opportunities there are.
• Talk to other governors or school board members to find out more about what the role involves.

The LA may offer training opportunities so you don't need to be an expert in education to get elected. Many LAs run governor forums which are useful sources of information and contacts. Contact your LA to find out if there is one in your area. Governing does take time and energy, but it's a very rewarding and valuable role.

Further Information

The School Governors' One-Stop Shop is an excellent place to start.

GovernorNet is the official website for governors in England and Wales from the Department for Education and Skills and is full of useful information.

The National Governors' Association works to inform, support, consult and represent governors with the aim of raising the effectiveness of school governing bodies.

Governors Wales is a website for school governors in Wales with information in both English and Welsh.

The Parentzone section of Learning and Teaching Scotland's website has information about Scottish parent councils (previously known as school boards). 

The Department of Education in Northern Ireland has a useful booklet that you can download from their website that explains the role of governors, different types of governors and how to get elected.

ChangeActivist School Governor - A book written to equip and encourage Christian school governors.

Governing: a personal reflection

Last weekend I watched an incredibly moving drama about the struggle to abolish the slave trade. You could have heard a pin drop. The audience rose to its feet and gave a standing ovation. Many were crying. It was performed by teenagers from a school where I used to be a governor. I was so, so proud! Yesterday, with a team of seven other governors and advisors, I interviewed and appointed a new headteacher for our local primary school. What a responsibility! I was drained at the end of the day, but relieved and delighted with the outcome.

I have been a school governor now for 28 years and yes, it is hard work and demanding, but I thoroughly enjoy it! I originally got involved when I was looking after three small children. One of our children had recently died, and I think the vicar thought being a governor ‘would be good for me'. I can only thank him for his wisdom. I see being a school governor as one way in which I can contribute to my local community, use my gifts for the benefit of others, and be salt and light in the world of education - and I am passionate about Christians being involved in education to change it for the good of the children.

I've never banged a drum about the fact that I am a Christian, but since everyone brings some belief system into their governing, whether it's a religious faith or humanist views or a particular political persuasion, I feel free respectfully to say what I think and why I think it.

Governors have a lot of responsibility. I have chaired committees for restructuring staff, school ethos, and curriculum. In my 28 years, I have been involved in dozens of interviews to appoint staff, including 5 headteachers and probably 8 or 9 deputies. Sadly, I have also been involved in disciplinary hearings, one of which involved the death of a pupil in school. That was probably the hardest thing I ever had to do, as the staff concerned were well known to me. When my natural instinct was to pastor, I had to be judge and jury. I am always aware that I can't do this sort of thing in my own strength, and prayer for what I am doing is vital. If there are really difficult decisions, I ask friends to pray for us, as far as confidentiality allows.

What is there to show for the Kingdom of God for my years as a governor? God really is the only one who knows the answer to that, but I hope that where I have been involved, children's educational opportunities have improved, their lives have changed for the better and they have had opportunities to encounter Jesus in some way. I hope that in these schools, Christian faith is respected and maybe better understood, Christian staff and pupils are encouraged and supported, the pupils' spiritual development is recognised as important, the schools have made stronger connections with local churches, other Christians are involved serving the schools in a variety of ways, the schools are supported by prayer, and to a greater extent than would be otherwise, the policies and practices of the schools are based on Christian beliefs.

Alison Farnell is currently chair of governors in St Matthews' Bloxam Church of England Primary School in Rugby and on the Council of the University of Gloucestershire. She works as the Education Projects Manager at the Stapleford Centre.