The governor is part of a team - the governing body (which includes the head teacher). 

The main aim of governing bodies is to promote high standards and to help schools provide the best possible education for all pupils.

The governing body is responsible for the long-term development of the school, not for day-to-day decisions and management which are the legal responsibility of the head teacher.  So a governing body should be particularly interested in such things as:

- Pupils‘ overall standards of achievement;
- How pupils of different genders, capability, ethnic background or social background are getting on at school;
- The overall balance and quality of education offered to children;
- The values the school encourages
- The atmosphere in the school;
- How the school works with parents and the local community;
- The priorities in the school development plan;
- The way the school’s financial planning reflects it priorities;
- The school’s policies

This is known as the governing body’s strategic role.

The governing body should support the school but be prepared to ask challenging questions.  For example governors are expected to:

- Join in discussion at meetings;
- Work on committees and working groups;
- Visit the school and attend school events;
- Support the school in the community;
- Lobby the LEA or other outside bodies on behalf of the school;
- Keep themselves informed of what is going on in the school (for example by asking the head teacher for reports or for presentations by staff or by visiting school);
- Check that policies and plans are having the desired effect;
- Develop a good understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of the school.

This combination of supporting the school but being prepared to be critical if necessary is sometimes referred to as being a critical friend.

The governing body should ensure accountability by:

- Making certain that parents and others in the local community are kept informed about the way that the school is developing;
- Making certain that the views and concerns of parents and others in the local community are taken into account when school decisions are made.

The governing body can invite people to attend its meetings.  For example if you think you may like to become a school governor but would like to see what happens at the meetings first, then you can attend as an Associate Member.