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Due to essential maintenance, the following systems will be unavailable from 6.00pm on Monday 2 October until 8.00am on Tuesday 3 October: our online council tax, business rates and housing benefit services, and our welfare assistance form. You will also not be able to register to pay council tax online, make a change of address for council tax or cancel single person discount. You are still able to make a payment during this time. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.

School governors


The role of the school governor is demanding but very rewarding and is a good way to give back to your local community. School governing bodies work with schools to make sure they provide the best possible education for their pupils.

What do school governors do?

The role of the governing body is a strategic one with three core functions:

  • setting strategic direction
  • creating robust accountability
  • ensuring best use of financial resources

The work of the governing body is driven by the school improvement plan. Discussions, decisions and actions for governors focus on school finance, staffing matters, use and condition of premises, pupils' wellbeing, curriculum, data and assessment, working with stakeholders, admissions and organisational changes.  

The full governing body must meet at least three times per academic year but most meet more frequently through committee meetings. There is an expectation that governors will also undertake monitoring visits into school to find out more about the school throughout the year. Governors work closely with the headteacher and make decisions collectively as a team.

Interested in becoming a school governor?

Depending on the type of school, a governing body may consist of parent, staff, co-opted, local authority, foundation governors and associate members (not governors).

If you are interested in becoming a school governor you can contact us for more information about current vacancies.

If you decide to become a school governor or associate member you are required to undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and comply with the eligibility criteria, as defined by the Department for Education (DfE). 

Training

We offer a wide range of training courses for school governors:

What we can offer schools

We offer a range of support to governing bodies of schools and academies in County Durham and across the region - Commercial Services: Schools and Education

Contact us
School and Governor Support Service
03000 265 866
Our address is:
  • Children and Young People's Services
  • County Hall
  • County Durham
  • United Kingdom
  • DH1 5UJ