What do governors do?

School governors are people who want to make a positive contribution to children’s education.

Governors are one of the largest volunteer forces in the country and have an important part to play in raising school standards. The role of the governing board is absolutely key to the effectiveness of a school. Time and time again Ofsted (the national inspection body for schools) has noted that the most effective schools demonstrate effective leadership and management - including by the governing board.

School governors provide strategic leadership and accountability in schools. Governors appoint the Headteacher and Deputy Headteacher. It is governors who hold the main responsibility for finance in schools, and it is governors who work with the Headteacher to make the tough decisions about balancing resources.

Each individual governor is a member of a governing board, which is established in law as a corporate body. Individual governors may not act independently of the rest of the governing board; decisions are the joint responsibility of the governing board.

The role of each governor is to contribute to the governing body to ensure high standards of achievement for all children and young people in the school by:

• Setting the school’s vision, ethos and strategic direction
• Holding the Headteacher to account for the educational performance of the school and its pupils
• Overseeing the financial performance of the school and making sure its money is well spent.

How do I become a governor?

There are different categories of governors and they are appointed or selected in different ways.

The Peak Tor Federation currently has a constitution of 14 governors. The term of office for all governors is 4 years. The governing body is made up of:

• 2 Parent governors     
• 1 Local Authority governor   
• 1 Staff governor
• 1 Headteacher
• 3 Foundation governors
• 6 co-opted governors

Parent governors believe parents should have a say in matters affecting their children’s education. Parent governors represent and are elected by other parents. Staff governors represent and are elected by the staff at the school. Staff governors have an interest in all the children’s future. The Headteacher is also part of the governing body and is there to contribute to all the strategic decisions that the school’s governing team must make. Local Authority governors are appointed by the Local Authority and are there because they have a desire to make a difference. The Foundation governors are appointed by the Derby Diocesan Board of Education following nominations received from Rowsley St. Katherine Parochial Church Council. Foundation governors support and promote the Christian ethos of the school. Co-opted governors are recruited and appointed by the Governing Body to contribute skills and experience to the governing team.

If you are interested in become a governor, the first step is to talk to Mrs Wyer, or you can contact by email at

a.wyer@peaktorfederation.co.uk