Governors meet at least once a term to discuss the running of the school. It is normal that in addition to this each governor would attend and be part of at least one committee to look in detail at the school's budget, various policies, the overall ethos and direction of the school, long-term planning, special education needs, targets for pupil performance and staffing structure.

Governors play a strategic role, meaning that they concentrate on the underlying issues of school management, rather than day-to-day issues. They are however involved in reviewing exclusions and dealing with any cases of staff dismissal appeals

Governing bodies are there to monitor and evaluate progress in school development and achievements, and they play an important role in accountability. Not only is the headteacher accountable to the governing body, but the governing body in turn is accountable to parents, the LEA and ultimately the DfES.