Back to school? Why more women should become school governors

Catherine Deakin

Catherine Deakin is a charity director and Chair of Governors at a primary school. She is a former local councillor and Labour parliamentary candidate.

As we’re in the full swing of the school holidays, now is the perfect time to think about taking on a new public leadership role before September.

Every day, thousands of school governors help shape the education of millions of children and make decisions about strategy, safeguarding and spending. It’s one of the most important public leadership roles you’ve probably never considered.

Having spent four years as a local councillor, I’ve found school governance to be one of the most rewarding public roles I’ve taken on, it’s a role I think far more women should consider.

What makes a strong board?

Who sits around the table matters.

Recent research from GovernorHub shows governing boards are still not as diverse as the communities they serve. Around 90% of governors surveyed were white, more than half were aged over 55, and almost eight in ten had a degree or postgraduate qualification.

Schools need people with different backgrounds, experiences and perspectives. Better conversations lead to better decisions.

One of the first things I did as Chair was meet every governor one to one. Our board includes a deputy headteacher, a BBC producer, a business manager from another academy trust and parent governors who bring invaluable insight into school life.

What does a school governor actually do?

Governors don’t run schools day to day. We’re not writing lesson plans or managing staff. Our job is to set the school’s strategic direction, oversee finances, make sure safeguarding is strong, and hold school leaders to account.

Schools are complex organisations. Many employ dozens of staff and manage budgets worth millions of pounds. The decisions governors help shape genuinely affect children’s daily experiences. Recently, for example, we reviewed our pupil premium strategy to make sure funding was reaching the children who need it most.

My school is an academy, which means the local governing board has delegated powers from the trust rather than being the legal body responsible for the school. It sounds technical, but the responsibility, and the opportunity to make a difference, are very real.

School governance is also one of the most accessible ways to gain non-executive board experience. You learn to read data, ask constructive questions, think strategically and make balanced decisions. Those are valuable skills in leadership, the charity sector and politics.

How I became a governor

I come from a working-class background. I started work at 15 and didn’t grow up with the networks or opportunities that can make it easier to step into leadership roles. It was a great state education, and a Labour government, that changed my life. Becoming a school governor felt like one way of giving something back.

I didn’t come from an education background. In fact, I hadn’t been inside a primary school for nearly 30 years. But I understood governance, accountability and safeguarding.

I was approached by a multi-academy trust to join the governing board of a local primary school. The school has a committed staff team and a strong focus on helping every child succeed.

Thinking of becoming a governor?

If you’re considering it, do a little homework first.

Read the school’s inspection reports to understand its journey. Find out whether it’s part of a trust and what powers the local governing board has. Look at the school’s financial position and think about the challenges it faces.

Most importantly, think about whether the school feels like the right fit. Could you build a positive relationship with the headteacher and the Chair? Does the board feel open, welcoming and collaborative?

The role takes time, but it’s manageable for most people. I probably spend the equivalent of one to two days a month on governance, including board meetings, school visits, reading papers and training.

You can find opportunities through your local council, Governors for Schools and Reach Volunteering. But many schools don’t advertise widely. One of the best things you can do is simply contact a local school and ask whether they’re looking for governors.

Why this matters

Schools do far more than educate children. They shape life chances, strengthen communities and influence the next generation.

When women take up places on governing boards, we help shape how public services work and who they work for.

Before the new school year starts, why not reach out to your local school and ask whether they’re looking for governors? You might be surprised by how much you have to offer. And if there isn’t a vacancy, encourage another woman to put herself forward. One conversation could be the start of a role that changes both your community and your own leadership journey.