School governors play a vital part in the success of schools. They're volunteers who work with the headteacher and the Royal Borough of Greenwich to improve standards in their school.

Governors serve for terms of four years. Being a governor can be hard work and it means giving up some free time to attend meetings. It's a valuable way of serving the local community, and gives people an opportunity to influence education in their area.

It's important to get to know the school well by visiting it, supporting events and by undertaking the training provided by the Local Authority.

School governing bodies

Governing bodies need to meet at least once a term. Governors join one or two committees which preside over detailed work.

It's core functions are:

• ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction
• holding the headteacher to account for the educational performance of the school and its pupils, and the performance management of staff
• overseeing the financial performance of the school and making sure its money is well spent.

The school governing bodies are made up of many different governors.