Governor Recruitment

When recruiting new governors, it is important to ensure that prospective candidates have the skills, knowledge, experience, and commitment needed to contribute to effective governance and support the continued success of the school. Governing boards should also seek to reflect the diversity of their communities and promote equality, inclusion, and community cohesion.

Schools are encouraged to consider a range of recruitment methods to attract governors with the skills and expertise required by the board. This may include advertising vacancies through organisations such as Governors for Schools, engaging with local businesses and community groups, and promoting opportunities through school communication channels. Effective recruitment helps ensure governing boards have an appropriate balance of skills, perspectives, and experience to fulfil their strategic responsibilities.

Pre-appointment Checks

Prospective governors are required to complete a declaration confirming that they are not disqualified from holding office under the relevant School Governance Regulations. Once appointed, governors should undergo an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, and the school will advise on the process.

Governors of local authority maintained schools, acting solely in their capacity as governors, require an Enhanced DBS check but do not require a Children's Barred List check. A Barred List check may be required if a governor undertakes additional roles within the school that involve regulated activity with children.

Please note: A person is disqualified from appointment as a Local Authority Governor if they are eligible to be elected as a Staff Governor at the same school.

Get Information About Schools (GIAS)

Governing boards are required to ensure that information about their governors is maintained on Get Information About Schools (GIAS), the Department for Education's national database of educational establishments and governance roles. Responsibility for co-ordinating this information often sits with the clerk to the governing board, although the governing board remains accountable for ensuring the information is accurate and up to date.

Details of the information that must be submitted, together with guidance on what information is publicly available, can be found in the Department for Education's GIAS guidance.

Usefl Links

Get Information About Schools (GIAS)
GIAS Governance Guidance
Governors for Schools