Parent Governors
Parent governors should be a parent of a registered pupil at the time of the election. They are normally elected by the parents of the registered pupils of the school. A parent who is an elected member of Cornwall Council or who works at the school for 500 hours or more in a year cannot stand for election but can vote. Such governors are representatives of the parent body and not delegates. This means that they cannot be directed by the parent body to act in a certain way but they should represent the views of the parents. Parent governors may stay in office for the rest of their term of office even if their child has left the school. Should an election fail to fill all parent governor vacancies the Governing Board may appoint a parent governor. With these appointments, the governors cannot appoint an elected member of the Local Authority or a person who works at the school for 500 hours or more in a year.
Local Authority (LA) Governors
Local authority governors are nominated by the local authority but appointed by the governing body. The local authority can nominate any person who is eligible to be a local authority governor. It is for the governing body to decide whether their nominee has the skills required to contribute to the effective governance and success of the school. They will also check if the nominee meets any other eligibility criteria they have set. Local authorities should make every effort to understand the governing body’s requirements. From there they can identify and nominate suitable candidates.
An individual eligible to be a staff governor at the school may not be appointed as a local authority governor.
Headteachers
The Headteacher is a member of the Governing Board by virtue of their office.
The Headteacher may at any time resign as a governor, and withdraw their resignation. In both cases they do so by notifying the clerk in writing.
Staff Governors
Teaching and support staff are eligible to be staff governors. The School staff elect staff governors. They cease to hold office when they cease to work at the school. It is important that prospective staff governors understand the nature of the role of a governor. They must understand that their role will not be to represent staff, nor to stand alongside the Headteacher in being held to account by the Governing Board. They operate as part of the Governing Board to provide strategic leadership and to hold the Headteacher to account.
As with elected parent governors, staff governors cannot be removed from office. Clear expectations of role and conduct should be communicated and agreed upfront.
If no candidates are forthcoming, the position on the Governing Board remains vacant. The Board can hold an election as soon as they identify an eligible candidate.
election should be held as soon as an eligible candidate is identified
Co-opted Governors
These governors are appointed by the Governing Board. Co-opted governors are people who, in the opinion of the Governing Board, have the skills required to contribute to the effective governance and success of the school. Staff members can become co-opted governors. Staff cannot outweigh the whole Governing Board by more than one third of the total.
Foundation Governors
Foundation governors are either appointed or take the role by virtue of an office that they hold. Where appointed, appointments are made by the person entitled under the instrument of government (usually the school’s founding body, church or other organisation). Some of these governors are ex-officio. Foundation governors may be removed by those who appointed them.
Partnership Governors
This category of governor only applies to foundation schools. Nominations for this category come from the local community. People committed to the good governance and success of the school will nominate. No person employed at the school, no pupil of the school and no elected member of the LA may become a partnership governor.
Associate Members
Associate members are appointed by the Governing Board to serve on one or more Governing Board committees and attend full Governing Board meetings. They are not governors but bring expertise and experience which can add to that provided by the governor membership.
The definition of associate member is wide and pupils, school staff and people who want to contribute specifically on issues related to their area of expertise (finance, for example) can be appointed as associate members.