Membership Explained
Membership of Boards of Governors differs according to the school sector and phase (nursery, primary, post-primary, special).
The size of the Board of Governors can range from 8 to 36 members and may have representation from some of the following dependent on the sector:
- Education Authority governor: Appointed by EA.
- Department of Education governor: Nominated or appointed by DE as appropriate to a range of schools.
- Transferor governor: Normally nominated by representatives of the Church of Ireland, Presbyterian Church in Ireland and Methodist Church in Ireland in the locality served by the school. Appointed to controlled schools only*.
- Trustee governor: Normally nominated by the Trustees of the Roman Catholic Diocese. Normally appointed to Maintained and controlled integrated schools only*.
- Parent governor: Elected by parents of pupils at the school.
- Teacher governor: Elected by the teaching staff at the school.
- Principal: Non-voting executive member of board of governors and normally Secretary to the board of governors although this is not mandatory.
*Controlled Integrated Schools will have both Transferor and Trustee governors
Co-opted governors - A Board of Governors can consider the co-option of governors as a means to extend its competences in specific aspects of school governance. Co-opted members do not have a vote on the Board of Governors. For more information on Co-Opted Governors see Secretary Hub.
The exact membership composition for each type of school is laid down in legislation and in the Scheme of Management for the school.
A summary membership table is provided in the link below.