School governance meetings

How to raise something with governors, and what they will and will not do.

What it is

Governing bodies meet termly and operate through committees. Some meetings are open in part, and minutes of maintained school governing bodies are generally available on request.

Where it applies

Maintained schools and academy trusts, which have equivalent boards.

How it works

Governors will not overturn a professional decision about teaching or a single sanction. They will consider a formal complaint at the stage the policy gives them, hear exclusion reviews, and hold leadership to account on policy and outcomes.

Parent governors are elected by parents and are a route in — though they represent the school's interests as governors, not parents as a lobby.

What you can ask for

Follow the complaints stages in order. Going to governors first almost always results in being sent back.

Ask for the complaint to be heard by a panel of governors not previously involved. That is a fairness requirement.

Ask for the minutes of the relevant meeting afterwards.

Where to get help

The school's complaints policy and the DfE governance handbook. The National Governance Association publishes plain-English guidance.