It is important that all governing bodies agree to a Code of Conduct for School Governors. This will ensure that all governors know their responsibility. Governing bodies can write their own or adapt to the Education Governance Service Code of Conduct template.

People who become school governors make a positive contribution by giving time and their experience to help shape the quality of learning in their school. The governing body will ensure that their school is effectively and efficiently managed.

Learn more about the different types of school governors.

The Head Teacher

The Head teacher is responsible for the internal organisation, management and control of the school. The Head teacher advises on and implements the governing bodies strategic framework. The Head teacher also:

• Formulates aims and objectives, policies and targets for consideration for the governing body to adopt
• Reports each term to the governing board on pupil progress
• Attends all meetings of the governing board
• Can opt not to be a member of the governing board

Parent Governor

• Must have a child at school at the time of election
• Are elected by parents of children at the school for a term of four years
• May be appointed by the governing board if a "nil" response was returned to the nominating stage
• May, if they wish to stand for re-election

Staff Governor

• Must be elected by other staff members at the school
• Holds a term of office for four years but will cease if they leave school
• May stand for re-election
• Can give their point of view on issues, but this may not reflect the views of the majority of staff
• Can join any committee and contribute towards discussions on the budget and discipline
• Must withdraw form a meeting if they have a personal interest in the outcome of an issue

Local Authority Governor (LA)

• Can be nominated by the Local Authority for a vacant LA governor position. The governing board decide to appoint
• Holds a term of office for four years
• Can be re-appointed by the governing board when the current term of office has been completed provided they have not been disqualified

Co-opted Governor

• Holds a term of office for four years
• Appointed by the governing board
• Can be recouped when they completed their current term of office provided they have not been disqualified
• Can be removed from office by at least fifty per cent of the full governing board
• When deciding whom to co-op governors should make sure that the governing body reflect a balance

Nottingham City Council, School Governors' Team, provides support, training and development solutions to governors and governing bodies.

We provide a professional clerking service, and a comprehensive governor training and development package to schools and academies. 

Support, training and development solutions for governors and governing bodies:

• Advice and support by phone, email or virtual platform (if required)
• Training and development solutions include bespoke sessions, to governors and governing boards
• Networking and development opportunities for governors via the Virtual Chatroom
• Access to Governorhub, the online governor support toolkit and term-by-term governor reports, designed to raise awareness of changes to the education landscape and share good news stories across Nottingham City
• Business support including the management of governing body meetings, uploading to Governorhub all meeting papers and the provision of dedicated clerks to advise and produce minutes
• Support for governing body change including conversion to a primary school, federation and academy
• Provide external reviews of governance
• Provide consultancy support
• Support for Chairs
• Support for Headteachers.

 Please contact Rachael Harvey on 0115 876 4589 or email rachael.harvey@nottinghamcity.gov.uk