In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, school governors are the overseers of a school. In state schools, they have three main functions: Giving the school a clear vision, ethos and strategic direction Holding the headteacher to account for the educational performance of the school and its pupils Overseeing the financial performance of the school and making sure its money is well spent. They are the largest volunteer force in the country. State schools Composition In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, every state school has a governing body, consisting of specified numbers of various categories of governors depending on the type and size of school. Governors are unpaid, but they may be reimbursed for expenses for such as the care of dependants or relatives and travel costs. Under section 50 of the Employment Rights Act 1996, employers must give anyone in their employment who serves as a governor reasonable time off their employ to carry out their governor duties. Employers can decide whether this time off is given with or without pay. Generally, the following categories are applicable: Parent governors: parents of children at the school; Staff governors: members of the school staff; Authority governors (previously known as LEA governors): nominated by the local education authority; Co-opted governors (previously known as community governors): members of the local community (appointed by the rest of the governing body); Foundation, partnership and sponsor governors: representatives of any sponsoring bodies. The proportions vary between differing types of school, but as an example, in community schools, which are usually owned by the LEA, the regulations prescribe that parent governors should be at least one-third of the governors, staff governors at least two places, but no more than one-third, including the headteacher; LEA governors 20% and community governors at least 20%. Church schools will typically include a representative of the church in addition to the above categories. The minimum number of governors is nine, the maximum is twenty (although sponsor governors are additional to these numbers). Governors are appointed for a maximum of four years, this term is renewable. The headteacher of each school is ex officio a staff governor, but can decline to take up the position. Should they decide not to become a member of the governing body, their place is left vacant. Staff governors (other than the head teacher) are elected by the school staff and must be paid to work at the school,