How to encourage parents to become governors

Follow these tips to create an advert and encourage parents to stand for election to your governing board.

Last reviewed on 13 April 2023
School types: AllSchool phases: AllRef: 4294
Contents
  1. Explain what the role involves and who can apply
  2. Highlight the benefits
  3. Tackle common concerns head on
  4. Publicise your vacancy in the right places
  5. Run the election
  6. Promote the role all year round

We worked with school governor recruitment service Governors for Schools to create this article.

Explain what the role involves and who can apply

Create an advert that sets out, in clear and approachable language:

  • Who can apply (check the eligibility requirements in our articles for maintained schools and academies)
  • The role and functions of the governing board
  • The expectations of new governors, particularly regarding their attendance at meetings and membership of committees
  • The skills and experience that you want new governors to have, based on your board's self-evaluation
  • What training and development opportunities and requirements there will be

Being transparent about the role will help parents elect the right person

Being clear about the above will help:

This is set out in the Governance