School governor
In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, school governors are the overseers of a school. In state schools, they have three main functions: Giving the school a clear vision, ethos and strategic direction Holding the headteacher to account for the educational performance of the school and its pupils Overseeing the financial performance of the school and making sure its money is well spent. They are the largest volunteer force in the country. State schools Composition In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, every state school has a governing body, consisting of specified numbers of various categories of governors depending on the type and size of school. Governors are unpaid, but they may be reimbursed for expenses for such as the care of dependants or relatives and travel costs. Under section 50 of the Employment Rights Act 1996, employers must give anyone in their employment who serves as a governor reasonable time off their employ to carry out their governor duties. Employers can decide whether this time off is given with or without pay. Generally, the following categories are applicable: Parent governors: parents of children at the school; Staff governors: members of the school staff; Authority governors (previously known as LEA governors): nominated