Some key findings:
- Latest figures suggest there are approximately between 235,000-350,000 school governors in England with 11 per cent of posts vacant. Vacancies are particularly evident in inner city areas.
- Particular groups are under-represented as governors including black and minority groups, disabled people, young people, lone parents, those with low incomes, those who are unemployed and business people.
- Governing boards can be composed of a core group of committed long-serving members and a less active periphery. The core group is even less likely than the governing body as a whole to reflect the local community.
- Some research suggests many governors find it difficult to challenge the headteacher and prefer to work collaboratively with them.
- The majority of schools carry out its governing duties at a satisfactory level (judged by Ofsted inspections to be satisfactory or better). However in 2001/2002, 53 per cent of primary school governing bodies was judged to be ‘good’ or better, compared to 34 per cent of secondary school governing bodies.
- Recent surveys of headteachers revealed much variation in the perceived effectiveness of governing bodies; approximately one in five was described as ‘very effective’ but a similar proportion as ‘ineffective’.
- A consistent theme from the research is that where they are effective, governors take a strategic role in guiding and supporting the school’s work and challenging further improvement.
- Evidence suggests there is a relationship between good governance and pupils’ achievements, the quality of teaching, and the quality of leadership and management.
