Governor meetings

• Do employers give governors time off to attend meetings?
• Can a governor be disqualified for non-attendance?
• How often should meetings be held?
• When can a governor resign?
• How are the chair and vice-chair appointed?
• Further information

Do employers give governors time off to attend meetings?

Employment law gives people the right to reasonable unpaid time off and some employer’s give paid leave for school governor duties. Many employers actually encourage their staff to become school governors. They realise that the skills gained through being a school governor are transferable to the workplace.

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Can a governor be disqualified for non-attendance?

Governors who always miss meetings without the permission of their fellow members may be disqualified from the governing body if they do not go to a full governing body meeting for six months from the date of the first meeting they miss. (This does not apply to the head teacher.)

An apology sent by a governor before a meeting which he or she cannot attend must be recorded in the minutes of the meeting. A new requirement is that the minutes must also state whether the governing body consented to his or her absence and a copy of the minutes must be sent to the governor concerned.

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How often should meetings be held?

The full governing body of every school must hold a meeting at least once every term.

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When can a governor resign?

Any governor may resign at any time. A governor must give written notice of his or her resignation to the clerk.

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How are the chair and vice-chair appointed?

The chair and vice-chair are normally appointed at the first meeting of the school year. The governing body decides on the chair and vice-chair’s term of office before election. The minimum term of office is for one year and the maximum period is four years.

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Further Information

Governors Support and Training Unit
First Floor, 48 Station Road
N22 7TY

Tel 020 8489 5029 / 5030 / 5031
Email school.governors@haringey.gov.uk.

Useful External Links

The following links are not part of the Haringey Council website. Please read our legal disclaimer before using these links

• Children and Young People's Services map location