How long is a parent governor term of office?

Standard term length

The default term of office for a parent governor is 4 years. This is set out in The Constitution of Governing Bodies of Maintained Schools Regulations 2017. However, a governing body may specify a different term length in its instrument of government, provided it is not shorter than the statutory minimum.

Academy trusts may set their own term lengths in their articles of association. Many academies follow the 4-year convention, but some specify 3 or 5 years.

When terms expire

A parent governor's term begins on the date they are elected or appointed and ends exactly 4 years later, unless they resign or are removed earlier.

The governing body should maintain a register of governors showing each governor's start date and term expiry date. This helps plan elections in advance.

Standing for re-election

When a term expires, the outgoing parent governor may stand for re-election provided they still meet the eligibility criteria. The key requirement is that they must still be a parent of a registered pupil at the school.

There is no limit on the number of consecutive terms a parent governor may serve. However, the NGA recommends governing bodies consider the balance between continuity and fresh perspectives.

Early termination of office

A parent governor's term may end early for several reasons:

• Resignation in writing to the clerk
• Disqualification due to bankruptcy, criminal conviction, or other statutory grounds
• Removal by the governing body for failure to attend meetings or other constitutional grounds
• Ceasing to be eligible (though they may complete their current term)