Governor References and Interview – Maintained Schools

A number of Clerks have been in touch to ask if the school must have references on file for existing governors. Whilst it is not statutory for existing governors, regulations state when recruiting governors they should be interviewed and references sought as necessary or appropriate. Guidance shown below:

The Constitution of Governing Bodies of Maintained Schools - Statutory guidance for governing bodies of maintained schools and local authorities in England - September 2016 (Priorities in deciding the membership of the governing body 15) states;

‘Regulations specify that anyone appointing governors to the governing body must only appoint someone they believe has the skills to contribute to the effective governance and success of the school. Their decisions should be informed by interviews and references and made in light of the skills that governing bodies identify that they need.’

The regulations also state;

‘A skills audit, such as that produced by the National Governors’ Association, should be used to identify the skills, knowledge and experience of current governors and any additional specific skills or experience that the governing body ideally requires. The outcome of the audit will help the governing body or other appointing persons to formulate their opinion as to whether prospective governors have the skills to contribute to effective governance and the success of the school. To make an informed decision on the matter an interview or detailed discussion will need to take place with each prospective candidate, with references (oral or written) taken as necessary and appropriate. The skills audit will also help to inform governor elections.’