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Parent governor/trustee: role

Learn how to separate your role as a governor or trustee from your role as a parent, so you can manage your relationship with other parents and do your job well.

Last reviewed on 13 November 2025See updates
School types: All•School phases: All•Ref: 3331
Contents
  1. The role: summary
  2. Communicate a parent's perspective
  3. Parental perspective in practice
  4. Set expectations with other parents
  5. Separate your role as a governor or trustee from your role as a parent

The role: summary

As a parent governor or trustee, your role is:

  • To bring a parental perspective to the issues discussed – you're not there to speak 'on behalf' of the parent body. This means you're using your experience as a parent to help inform the board’s thinking, rather than bringing up individual concerns you’ve heard at the school gates
  • No different from other governors or trustees

Note: parents are elected to the board, not appointed (unless there are fewer candidates than vacancies).

Take a look at our governor and trustee role descriptions to see all of your responsibilities and duties.

Take our parent governor/trustee training course to learn more, including how to confidently handle situations that are unique to this role.

Communicate a parent's perspective

Use your perspective to help the board understand a parent's viewpoint. This will help