Being a school governor is interesting, worthwhile and rewarding. To be truly effective a governing body needs members from all walks of life, and different cultural backgrounds who possess a variety of skills.

Below are some reasons for volunteering, from Governors serving on governing bodies in Trafford schools:

"I like to support the school and I am grateful for what the school has given me and my children."

"I am retired and I have a lot of experience from running a business which has been valuable to the school."

"My company encourages staff to become governors, it is a good link between business and education, and they know it has improved my potential in work. The governor training courses are similar to the courses at work and they complement each other."

Parent governors

Do you have a child in a Trafford school? Think about standing in the next parent governor election. The school will be able to tell you when the next vacancy is due.

Community governors

Governing bodies appoint this category. They are looking for enthusiastic people with useful skills. You may have a business background, or come from the local community.

Can ordinary people be governors?

Effective governors give positive support to the excellent work that schools are doing.

"You should be the friend of the school in the community and the friend of the community in the school."

'Ordinary' people are needed as governors. It is not a requirement to have a background in education. You bring a wider perspective, a view from outside the education system. You will have knowledge, skills and experience, which will be of value to a school's governing body.

Partnership

Governing bodies are based on the principle of members representing every group with an interest in the school working together in the best interests of the children. That means that governing bodies are specifically comprise of parent governors, teacher and staff governors, and governors from the wider community.

In the same way schools are in partnership with the Local Education Authority, to improve standards across the Borough. Policy decisions about education are taken at the Policy and Resources Committee of Trafford Council.

Governing bodies are a unique form of local democracy in action involving the local community, professional staff and elected members of council.

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