If you have enthusiasm, commitment and a genuine interest in education, then becoming a school governor could be the role for you. The schools governing body are involved in running the school, taking management decisions on matters involving school buildings, the budget, how staff are supported and setting standards for the school. Governors will help the head teacher to define and shape the schools long term goals. You will need an enquiring mind and feel that you can question the head teacher about whether the school is going in the right direction.

For most schools a governing meeting will take place each half term, but you may also need to join a sub-committee, depending on what you are interested in. It’s important to be a team player as you need to make joint decisions. The role may take up eight to ten hours per week, depending on the school. It may need more work if the school is on special measures set by Ofsted, to make improvements.