School Governors

The Presbyterian Church in Ireland, Church of Ireland and Methodist Church in Ireland nominate over 1,800 governors to serve on the boards of controlled schools in Northern Ireland. Controlled schools are ‘church-related schools’ because in the 1930s, 40s and 50s, the Protestant Churches transferred their school buildings, pupils and staff into state control (hence the terms ‘transferor’ and ‘controlled’) on the understanding that the Christian ethos of these schools would be maintained in perpetuity.

During the transfer process, the Church leaders stressed that it was not simply buildings which were being transferred, but pupils, and a concept of education directly informed and shaped by Christian teaching and values.

In return for transferring their schools into state control the transferor churches were accorded statutory rights of representation on Boards of Governors. Governors nominated to school boards by the churches are known as ‘transferor governors’.

The transferor Churches work together through the Transferor Representatives’ Council (TRC) in respect of education matters in Northern Ireland. The TRC has produced a handbook for governors and a promotional video, both of which can be accessed on this webpage.

Interested in becoming a School Governor?

Being a governor is both a rewarding and challenging role, providing the opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of children and young people and to make a positive contribution to your local community.

The vast majority of transferor governors are nominated directly by local congregations but not all congregations have the right to nominate governors. If you are interested in becoming a school governor please speak to your minister, who will be able to advise you of whether your congregation nominates governors to a local school and whether there are any vacancies. Alternatively, you may wish to consider becoming an Education Authority governor. More information about this can be found at www.eani.org.uk/schools/school-governors.

Governors serve four year terms with the possibility of renomination. The current term is 2018-2022. Vacancies may arise during the term so if you are interested but find that all the places on a board are filled, it is still worth registering your interest with your minister in case any seats become available.

The Transferor Governor Handbook, provided by the Transferor Representatives' Council, is available to download from the Downloads menu on this page.

You can find more information on the TRC website here.

The following video was produced to highlight the important role played by School Governors, and the difference they can make in our schools. The video can be played during a church service, to encourage people to consider taking on the role of a School Governor.