Become a governor

Why become a governor?

If you’re someone who cares deeply about the future of our children, we warmly invite you to consider becoming a Foundation Governor or Parent Governor on a school’s Local Governing Body. Your time, perspective, and support could make a lasting difference.

You don’t need to work in education or have specific experience. In fact, we welcome governors from all walks of life. Diverse skills, interests, and backgrounds enrich our governing bodies and strengthen our schools.

Foundation and Parent Governors are an integral part of our Catholic schools and make a substantial contribution to their success. Most people find being a governor highly rewarding. Many speak of the immense satisfaction they gain from supporting their school, challenging it to grow, and helping it thrive.

Governors enjoy meeting new people, using untapped skills—or discovering new ones—and often find joy in being active members of both the Church and the school in a new and meaningful way.

What's involved?

Being a local governor is a strategic and not an operational role. Governors closely monitor the Catholic life of the school and scrutinise standards in the school to ensure that acceptable progress is being made against the targets and priorities set in the school development plan.

Governors:

  • Provide support and advice to school senior leadership
  • Act as a sounding board for ideas
  • Provide feedback on proposals
  • Provide help where needed

Governors also provide challenge by:

  • Asking constructive questions to ensure that decisions are made on the basis of sound information
  • Exploring alternative proposals

What to expect?

  • Around six meetings per year, usually in the early evening and lasting no more than two hours
  • Access to training and development sessions to help you feel confident in your role—these are often short, online, and held in the evenings
  • Occasional involvement in recruitment or formal school processes, depending on the school’s needs
  • School visits, typically once per term, to meet staff, chat with pupils, and see the school in action

You’ll never be left to figure things out alone. The Diocesan Education Service offers a wide range of supportive training opportunities throughout the year, and the Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Multi-Academy Trust works closely with governors to ensure you feel informed, valued, and part of a wider team.

Each school’s Local Governing Body is a delegated committee of the OLoL CMAT Board of Directors. The Board relies on its local governors—people like you—to be the eyes, ears, and heart of each school community, helping it to flourish and stay true to its Catholic mission.

Would I enjoy being a governor?

If you’re seeking personal fulfilment and have time to dedicate to volunteering your skills, becoming a governor could be a wonderful way to serve your local community—and make a real difference.

Thoughts from our current governors

“So why have I enjoyed being a Foundation Governor for 16 years? Being part of a great team of Governors and having the opportunities to see up close the wonderful work of the staff and students. It has been an absolute pleasure to monitor and support such a fantastic school. 

Our Lord asks us all to serve one another so if you would like to be a true disciple and help support our children, who are the ‘church of tomorrow and the future’ then ask one of the senior leaders about becoming a school governor.’”

Amanda, Foundation Governor

“I get to give back a little to the school, by being a support and friend to the teachers and children whilst making sure that they have the Catholic primary education I so much enjoyed as a child.

I feel great pride that I am a governor and very privileged that I was accepted at St. Joseph’s, Boughton.”

Emma, Foundation Governor

“Being a foundation governor at St Joseph’s Catholic School means helping to build a school community where faith, learning, and care for every child are the top priorities. It’s an honour to support the school’s Catholic values and help it grow and succeed.”

Jonathan, Foundation Governor

“Being a governor has given me a tremendous sense of admiration for our young students and our teachers. I feel part of guiding our youth to achieve their potential.”

Reg, Foundation Governor

“Being a Governor at our Catholic schools is a true privilege. It means supporting a community built on faith, kindness, and care – where every child is encouraged to grow, learn, and shine.”

Angeline, Parent Governor

“There is, in my view, no voluntary role that offers more meaning. A school is a special place, a big part of each pupil’s life, and it is a great privilege to play a small role in its support.”

Peter, Foundation Governor

“For me being a parent governor means having the opportunity to make a real difference in the life of the school and its pupils, it’s a chance to share a parents perspective and helps ensure that every child receives the best possible education.”

Harpreet, Parent Governor

“I applied to be a governor of a church school as a way of offering a form of commitment to the Catholic Church and the wider community, now I am retired as a teacher. I’m glad to be of service, and to put my professional experience in education to good use.”

Glyn, Foundation Governor

“In the senior leadership team, governors, staff and pupils have found a community so strong in faith and love for each other that was totally different to anything I had ever experienced before.

The governors role requires you to challenge the SLT where improvement is required, I always think that working together through constant small improvements that our children receive the best education we can deliver.

For me, every school visit is a delight, the children’s natural energy and enthusiasm for the faith is deeply infectious, and I come away with a feeling of joy and deep gratitude that in a very small way I am part of the team that ensures they receives a catholic education second to none.”

Cath, Foundation Governor

“Being a governor means having the chance to see how our school works to raise standards and enhance every child’s experience, and to play a part in driving positive change.”

Tina, Parent Governor

“My children and grandchildren have, and are, benefiting hugely from the all round education provided by the Catholic primary school they went to. Without committed governors who turn up and challenge the leadership team, a school cannot meet the standards correctly required by OFSTED.

I have been involved in governing for many, many years now and have worked alongside other governors from all backgrounds and with hugely varying experience. It is always the case that everyone of them adds something to the governing body and their experience, whatever that might be, is valued and used wisely.”

For me, every school visit is a delight, the children’s natural energy and enthusiasm for the faith is deeply infectious, and I come away with a feeling of joy and deep gratitude that in a very small way I am part of the team that ensures they receives a catholic education second to none.”

Graham, Foundation Governor

“As I have only been a governor for a few months, I am still learning the ropes. However, the opportunities that the position offers have given me some interesting and valuable insights.”

David, Foundation Governor

“Being a governor means I can give back to the school that has given my boys so much.”

Wendy, Parent Governor

Foundation Governors

Foundation Governors are practising Catholics appointed by the Bishop to represent him at local level. Foundation Governors ensure that the school remains distinctly Catholic, Christ-centred, and faithful to the teachings of the Church. The role is vital in upholding the Bishop’s vision for Catholic education and supporting the spiritual and academic life of the school.

Both Foundation & Parent Governors play a key role in influencing the development of the school, ensuring it meets the needs of the children and are crucial in helping drive us standards.

How to Apply

Candidates can apply by completing the self-nomination form below:

NRCDES Foundation Governor Self Nomination Form

The Nottingham Roman Catholic Diocesan Education Service (NRCDES) actively promotes the role of foundation governor through schools and parishes. Local parish priests, headteachers, and chairs of governors are often closely involved in encouraging people to consider putting themselves forward.

 

The appointment process is overseen by the NRCDES, who appoint foundation governors on behalf of the Bishop of Nottingham. Each school’s governing body regularly reviews its skills and needs through audits and self-evaluations. When considering new candidates, the NRCDES takes these needs into account to ensure the best possible match.

 

We’d be delighted to receive your nomination form. If you have any questions about the application process or would simply like to learn more, please email by clicking either:

Parent Governors

Parent Governors are elected from within the school community and serve as a voice for parents. While they do not need to be Catholic, they are expected to uphold the school’s Catholic ethos and contribute to its continued success.

Both Foundation & Parent Governors play a key role in influencing the development of the school, ensuring it meets the needs of the children and are crucial in helping drive us standards.

How to Apply

Each school’s Local Governing Body (LGB) is responsible for filling any Parent Governor vacancies. These are filled through an election process open to all parents and carers of pupils currently registered at the school.

When a vacancy becomes available, the LGB or school will let parents know and share:

  • How to apply (via a nomination form)
  • What steps to follow if you’re interested
  • A brief overview of the role

To stand for election, candidates must meet the Parent Governor eligibility criteria:

Declaration Of Eligibility

If fewer parents come forward than there are vacancies, the LGB will appoint suitable candidates. Priority is given to:

  • Parents of current pupils
  • Parents of former pupils
  • Parents of children of school age or younger

Appointed governors should have the skills and commitment to help support the school’s leadership and continued success.

We would be delighted to hear from you.  If you have any questions about the process or would like to learn more about current opportunities, please email:
Karen Rich (Our Lady of Lourdes CMAT Governance and Compliance Manager)