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Constitution & membership
5 articles
Appointment of governors & associate members
- Appointing staff members as co-opted governors Read the rules on appointing staff members, who aren't "staff governors" to your board. We look at co-opting staff members, associate membership, and the potential pros and cons.
- Changing a governor's category (maintained) Can an existing governor move to a different category? One of our associate education experts sets out a process for re-appointing a governor in a new category. We also look at the process for when the governor in question is the chair or vice-chair.
- How to appoint governors (maintained schools) We run through the different categories of governor and how each one is appointed to the governing board. Understand the rules for co-opted, foundation, local authority, parent, and staff governors, plus associate members.
- How to resign from your governing board All governors and trustees have to resign eventually. Find out the right way to do it.
- What to do when a governor resigns The clerk and the chair have procedures to follow when a governor or trustee resigns. Find out what these are and send our template letter to help make sure they leave on good terms.
6 articles
Elections to the governing board
- Dealing with problematic governor candidates (maintained) The governing board can't stop a parent or staff governor candidate from standing in an election. Read guidance on how you can get the right candidate for the role, and under what circumstances elected governors can be removed.
- Governor elections: voting systems There's no requirement for schools to use any specific system of voting for governor elections. Find out about different online voting systems and how to implement the double-envelope system.
- Parent governor elections (maintained) Maintained schools must elect at least 2 parent governors. Follow this process to ensure you do this efficiently, and in line with the rules.
- Parent governor/trustee elections: documents Use our collection of templates to make sure your election process runs smoothly, including letters to parents, ballot papers and candidate forms.
- Parent trustees: eligibility, elections and appointment Understand how you should run elections, or circumstances when you may appoint a parent trustee, and how arrangements can differ between MATs and single academies.
- Staff governors: election, appointment and resignation The rules on the election, appointment and resignation of staff governors in maintained schools, including nominations, voting, and what to do if you can't fill the role.
8 articles
Eligibility, removal & disqualification
- Appointing academy employees as trustees Get clarity on whether academy employees can also sit on the board of trustees, and what rules to follow to make sure your board can remain impartial.
- Disqualification of governors (maintained): criteria and template Understand what disqualifies an individual from serving as a maintained school governor. You can also use our template form for governors to sign to declare their eligibility.
- Governor categories in maintained schools The governing boards of maintained schools must be made up of specific types of governors. Understand what all of the different categories of governors are and the roles they play in school governance.
- Local authority governors in maintained schools All maintained schools are required to have a local authority governor on the board. Read about what an LA governor is and the function they serve.
- Removing a governor (maintained) Understand the procedure for removing governors from the board with guidance on who can remove a governor and the procedure for removal. Two of our associate experts also provide advice on the removal process.
- Staff governors on maternity leave Even on maternity leave, staff members can be elected and serve as staff governors. Here we outline the rules surrounding staff governors on maternity leave.
- Suspending a governor (maintained) What is the procedure for suspending someone from the governing board? This article sets out the grounds on which a governing board may decide to suspend a governor. It also sets out the procedure for initiating and appealing against a suspension.
- Union representatives serving as governors Union reps are free to serve as governors but wearing both hats comes with difficulties and risks. Find out how you can make this work.
6 articles
Governor administration
- Governor email accounts As a governor, the personal data you send over email must be kept secure. Use a secure school email address to help you to meet the GDPR requirement to prevent a data breach and respond to subject access requests quickly.
- How to use email for governing board business You should use formal meetings as much as possible, but sometimes you need a way to communicate in between. Understand the rules and what's appropriate when using email to conduct governing board business.
- National database of governors Understand what information you must publish to Get Information About Schools (GIAS) and why.
- Posting documents with personal data: managing risk Governors may post documents, or share hard copies in advance, to prepare for meetings. If these contain personal data, you should make sure you do all you can to keep the information secure.
- School governors' right to time off work You have the right to take 'reasonable' time off work for governor duties. Find out what the rules are, if your profession is exempt, and what to do if you're having problems with your employer.
- Storing governing board documents Read about how to ensure you're complying with the GDPR and other relevant data protection laws when storing your governing board documents.
7 articles
The constitution of the governing board
- Associate members: role and restrictions Associate members aren't governors, but you can appoint them to serve on committees and attend meetings. Understand who's eligible to be an associate member and what their rights are.
- Co-opted governors/trustees: role Understand the role of a co-opted governor/co-opted trustee with guidance on who is eligible to be appointed, and what restrictions there are on voting in meetings.
- Governor and trustees' terms of office How long is a governor’s term of office? Governors and trustees are usually appointed for 4 years, although this can be varied. We look at how to do this, and when terms of office begin.
- Parent governor/trustee: role Learn how to separate your role as a governor from your role as a parent, so you can manage your relationship with other parents and do your job well.
- Reconstituting the governing board (maintained) You should reconstitute your board if things aren't going well or to ensure you're fit for purpose in the future. Read more about when to reconstitute, terms of office, voting on new governors, managing surplus governors and electing a new chair and vice-chair.
- Size and membership of your governing board Be clear on the type and number of governors or trustees you must have.
- Staff governors: role Understand your responsibilities as a staff governor in a maintained school, and the restrictions on the scope of your role. Also find out what the governing board can do if you can't make it to meetings.