School governors

School governors are volunteers who help run schools. They play an important role in managing, supporting and improving schools.

What school governors do

Governors sit on the school’s governing board and work with the school to ensure they improve each year. They:

• hold the headteacher to account for a school’s performance
• make sure the budget is spent wisely
• set the school targets and ensure they are met
• take part in hearings and appeals
• making sure school buildings are welcoming and safe
• appoint and dismiss staff

Governors attend meetings during the school year to discuss the school's progress.

GOV.UK has guidance on the roles and duties of governing bodies.

You can also find out more about governors' responsibilities in the Department for Education Governance Handbook.

Become a school governor

To be a school governor you must be over 18 years old and you:

• don't need to have any experience or formal qualifications
• don’t need to have children at the school

The role is demanding but it can also be rewarding. It's a good way to give back to your local community and help improve schools in Essex.

Find vacancies

These Essex schools are looking for local authority governors:

• Ashdon Primary School, Saffron Walden, CB10 2HB
• Birch Church of England (VA) Primary School, Colchester, CO2 0LZ
• Birchanger Church of England (Voluntary Controlled) Primary School, CM23 5QL
• Broomfield Primary School, Chelmsford, CM1 7DN
• Burnham-on-Crouch Primary School, Burnham-on-Crouch, CM0 8LG
• Children's Support Service, Wickford, SS11 7JZ
• Gosbecks Primary School, Colchester, Essex CO2 9DG
• Great Dunmow Primary School, Great Dunmow, CM6 1ZR
• Hazelmere Junior School, Colchester, CO4 3JP
• Holland Haven Primary School, Holland-on-Sea, CO15 5PP
• Lexden Springs School, Colchester, CO3 0PZ
• Manuden Primary School, Bishops Stortford, CM23 1DE
• Myland Community Primary School, CO4 5LD
• Oakwood Infant and Nursery School, Clacton-on-Sea, CO15 2AH
• St Joseph the Worker Catholic Primary School, Brentwood, CM13 1BJ
• St Luke's Church of England Primary School, Tiptree, CO5 0SU
• St Margaret's CofE (VC) Primary School Toppesfield, CO9 4DS
• St Mary's School, Colchester, CO3 3RB
• The Cathedral CofE VA Primary School, Chelmsford, CM1 1PA
• Trinity Road Primary School, Chelmsford, CM2 6HS

We are also supporting St Elizabeth’s School in Hertfordshire (SG10 6EW) who have a vacancy. Please contact our team or go directly to the school if you are interested.

You can put yourself forward or nominate someone.

You can also contact schools directly to see if there are any vacancies.