School governors help to make sure children receive a high standard of education, and achieve their full potential. They work with headteachers to support and improve schools.

There are four kinds of school governors in maintained schools:

• Elected governors
• Co-opted governors
• Foundation governors
• Local authority governors

If you want to be an elected or co-opted governor, you should apply directly to the school. If you want to be a foundation governor you should apply to the appropriate diocese (this is for church schools), if you want to be a local authority governor, you should apply to us. You’ll be invited to talk about your application with one of our Governor Services representatives, a governor and/or a headteacher.

Governors of academies are appointed by the Academy Trust Members - if you would like to be a governor or Trustee in an academy you should approach the school directly.

Be prepared to explain the skills and attributes you think you could bring to being a governor or Trustee.

Your role as a governor

You’ll be part of a governing body. Each body has between 10 - 21 people. They are responsible for:

• Agreeing development priorities.
• Setting targets.
• Agreeing policies and practice.
• Agreeing an annual budget.
• Appointing the headteacher and other senior staff.
• Developing services to meet a school’s needs as part of the wider community.

Application to become a local authority governor

If you want to be a local authority governor, you may wish to contact Children & Young People's Services on 01202 456254 or governor.services@bournemouth.gov.uk to establish if there are any current vacancies before completing the application form.    

Useful information

Local authority governor appointments

Information for prospective governors