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
- Briscoe Primary School and Nursery, Pitsea, Basildon, SS13 1PN
- Broomfield Primary School, Chelmsford, CM1 7DN
- Broomgrove Infant School, Wivenhoe, CO7 9QB
- Burnham-on-Crouch Primary School, Burnham-on-Crouch, CM0 8LG
- Chase Lane Primary School and Nursery, Dovercourt, CO12 4NB
- Children's Support Service, Wickford, SS11 7JZ
- Chrishall Holy Trinity and St Nicholas C of E Primary and Pre School, Royston, SG8 8QE
- Church Langley Community Primary School, Harlow, CM17 9TH
- Collingwood Primary School, South Woodham Ferrers, CM3 5YJ
- Elmwood Primary School, South Woodham Ferrers, CM3 5NB
- Eversley Primary School, Basildon, SS13 2EF
- Gosbecks Primary School, Colchester, CO2 9DG
- Grange Primary School, Wickford, SS12 0LR
- Great Bardfield Primary School, Great Bardfield, CM7 4RN
- 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
- Little Hallingbury School, Bishop's Stortford, CM22 7RE (this role will also cover St Mary's CofE Primary School)
- Long Ridings Primary School, Brentwood, CM13 1DU
- Manuden Primary School, Bishops Stortford, CM23 1DE
- Meres Island School, West Mersea, CO5 8QX
- Myland Community Primary School, CO4 5LD
- Newport County Primary School, Newport, CB11 3PU
- Oakwood Infant and Nursery School, Clacton-on-Sea, CO15 2AH
- Rettendon Primary School, Rettendon Common, CM3 8DW
- Stambridge Primary School, Stambridge, SS4 2AP
- 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 CofE Primary School, Bishop's Stortford, CM22 7HH (this role will also cover Little Hallingbury School)
- St Mary's School, Colchester, CO3 3RB
- Tendring Primary, Clacton-on-Sea, CO16 0PB
- The Cathedral CofE VA Primary School, Chelmsford, CM1 1PA
- The Wickford Church of England School, Wickford, SS11 8HE
- Trinity Road Primary School, Chelmsford, CM2 6HS
- Upshire Primary School, Waltham Abbey, EN9 3PX
- Waterman Primary School, Rochford, SS4 1QF
- West Horndon Primary School, Brentwood, CM13 3TR
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.