When people think about career development in education, they often picture the next step on the teaching or leadership ladder. Less visible – but no less powerful – is the role of school governor or trustee. It’s a position that doesn’t always get much airtime, yet the impact on your skills, confidence, and career can be significant.

For teachers and education professionals looking to broaden their horizons, becoming a governor can be a genuinely transformative form of volunteering. 

So, What Do School Governors Actually Do?

Hopefully, you’ll have met some of your governing board during assemblies or link governor visits on SEND, safeguarding, or the like. While responsibilities can change depending on your school/trust structure, governors and trustees offer board-level, strategic oversight. They don’t get involved in the everyday running of a school, but they play a crucial role in setting direction and holding leaders to account. To many, their role can feel elusive.

In practice, their role involves:

• Setting and reviewing the school’s vision and long-term strategy
• Supporting and challenging school leaders on educational outcomes, inclusion, and wellbeing
• Overseeing finances, safeguarding, and statutory responsibilities
• Acting as a critical friend – asking the right questions and helping leaders make informed decisions

Because the role sits at board level, governors see the bigger picture of how schools operate. For those already working in education, this perspective is incredibly valuable and surprisingly rare. Not many roles offer this level of exposure to strategic discussion and decision-making with no prior experience required. It also offers a different way to contribute to school life, if you’re stepping away from a career in teaching.

Skills You’ll Gain (at any stage of your career)

“This role has given me a fresh perspective on my own career, boosting my confidence to pivot into new directions and accelerating my professional growth.” – Stella, School Governor

One of the biggest misconceptions about governance is that it’s only for senior leaders, parents, or people with decades of experience. In reality, boards benefit from a mix of perspectives – and having volunteers with different backgrounds, ages, and lived experiences strengthens discussion. In a survey carried out by education charity Governors for Schools:

87% of volunteers agreed that being a school governor has positively impacted their professional and personal development.

As a governor, you’ll grow your:

• Strategic thinking: moving beyond classroom or departmental priorities to whole-organisation decision-making
• Board-level experience: understanding governance, accountability, and collective responsibility
• Confidence in challenge: learning how to question constructively and influence decisions
• Communication skills: contributing to discussions with leaders, parents, and fellow governors

These skills translate directly into leadership roles inside and outside education – and they can be harder (and slower) to gain without formal board exposure.

Developing New Expertise And Widening Your Network

Governance also offers the chance to build expertise in areas you may not normally encounter in your job. Many volunteers take on link governor roles – monitoring the likes of finance, safeguarding, curriculum, SEND, or wellbeing, and reporting back to the board.

Alongside this, you’ll work with people from a wide range of backgrounds: other educators, business professionals, community leaders, and specialists. That mix creates opportunities to learn from others, broaden your professional network, and see how different sectors approach problem-solving and leadership.

For teachers considering a step away from the classroom or a managerial move, governance can keep you connected to education while you pursue new avenues. Indeed, those with teaching experience are highly sought after on governing boards nationwide, owing to their in-depth understanding of school life.

What Commitment Is Involved?

Governance is a meaningful commitment, but it is designed to be manageable alongside a full-time role. 

Most governors attend:

• Around 4–6 board or committee meetings per year
• Occasional school visits linked to their governor role
• Some reading and preparation ahead of meetings

Many boards now meet virtually, making it easier to fit governance around work and personal life. There’s a mass of support and training available, so you’re not expected to arrive knowing everything from day one. It’s also worth noting that some employers offer volunteering hours to enable a smooth transition into the role.

Why Now?

Schools need governors who understand education – and those with teaching experience bring insight that can’t be replicated. At the same time, educators deserve access to development opportunities that recognise their expertise and open new doors. Becoming a school governor gives you both.If you’re curious about what you could offer – and what you might gain in return – visit the Governors for Schools website. The charity matches prospective volunteers with boards in need and offers the support you need to become a school governor.