Frequently Asked Questions

What happens if there are no nominations for the parent governor vacancy?

Schools must make every effort to fill parent governor vacancies by means of elections, but there are situations where it might not be possible for parent governors to be elected. These are:

• the number of parents standing for election is less than the number of vacancies;
• at least 50% of the registered pupils are boarders, or a special school is established in a hospital, and the LA (or governing body) feel it would be impractical for there to be an election.

If, after an election, there is still a vacancy for parent governor, the governing body should consider appointing a parent governor, who must be either:
– a. a parent of a registered pupil at the school; or
– b. where that is not possible to do so in (a), a parent of a child of compulsory school age, or in the case of a maintained nursery school, of or under compulsory school age.

In relation to (b) above, there are disqualifications for an appointed parent governor i.e. the governing body must not appoint a person who is:
– a. an elected member of the local authority;
– b. employed by the local authority, in connection with its functions as a local authority;
– c. paid to work at the school for more than 500 hours in any twelve month period commencing on 1 August and finishing on 31 July.

Where the school is a community special school, the governing body must appoint:
– a. a parent of a registered pupil at the school, or
– a. a parent of a child of compulsory school age wither special educational needs; or
– c. a parent of a person of any age with special educational needs; or
– d. a parent of a child of compulsory school age.

Refer to our governor guide on the appointment and election of governors