There is no requirement for schools or academies to request references for potential governors or trustees.
However, some governing boards do ask for references. In reality I suspect schools that struggle to find volunteers rarely request references, whereas schools with more competition for roles may ask for references to help them choose between candidates.
This page is mostly about appointed governor positions where the board itself (or a linked body like the diocese) decides who gets the position.
Elected governors are elected by staff or parents so there’s no point asking for references, although I will look briefly at whether elected parent governors need to be nominated by two fellow parents.
Note that although obtaining references is optional, enhanced DBS checks and section 128 checks are mandatory for all governors and trustees.
“When you accept a position the school or trust will require an enhanced DBS check. They will normally organise this for you. Volunteers may also be asked by the school or trust to supply references.”
Inspiring Governance
Should references be in writing?
The DfE guidance on the law for maintained schools says that either oral or written references should be “taken as necessary”. References can be used alongside an interview or informal chat with the potential governor to help boards decide who to appoint.
The quote below refers to an “interview or detailed discussion” taking place before appointment, which will usually be with the chair of governors. Again, how formal or in-depth this discussion is will depend on each school and how easy they find it to recruit.
“To make an informed decision on the matter an interview or detailed discussion will need to take place with each prospective candidate, with references (oral or written) taken as necessary and appropriate.”
The Constitution of Governing Bodies of Maintained Schools: Statutory Guidance
Are references required under safer recruitment?
There is no statutory requirement to check the references of volunteers. Part 3 of Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) explains the safer recruitment practices which ensure that only suitable people are selected to work and volunteer in schools.
KCSIE explains that all job applicants should provide referees before interview. However, for volunteer roles the guidance says that schools should “use their professional judgement” when deciding “what checks, if any” are required.
Governors will not be supervising children or taking part in “regulated activity” so schools may decide that references are not needed. Note that KCSIE allows the school to consider both “formal and informal” information about volunteers gleaned from staff, parents or other volunteers.
“Whilst volunteers play an important role and are often seen by children as being safe and trustworthy adults, the nature of voluntary roles varies.
“Schools and colleges should undertake a written risk assessment and use their professional judgement and experience when deciding what checks, if any, are required.
“The risk assessment should consider:
– the nature of the work with children, especially if it will constitute regulated activity, including the level of supervision;
– what the establishment knows about the volunteer, including formal or informal information offered by staff, parents and other volunteers;
– whether the volunteer has other employment or undertakes voluntary activities where referees can advise on their suitability.”
Keeping Children Safe in Education
Should references be personal or professional?
A personal or character reference comes from someone who knows you outside of work, for example a person you have volunteered with or a family friend. A professional reference is from an employer.
The guidance from Keeping Children Safe in Education (quoted above) talks about references from employers or voluntary work colleagues rather than personal references. Governors For Schools matches volunteers to governing body vacancies and they also recommend that professional references are requested.
“Schools are responsible for collecting references and DBS checks. A professional reference is generally the best option.“
Governors For Schools
I do think schools need to avoid discouraging applications from people who might struggle to provide an employer’s reference – for example, someone who has been a full-time parent for years or perhaps receives benefits.
I also think it’s important not to give the impression that only high-flying white collar professionals could possibly succeed as school governors. I saw a tweet recently from a potential parent governor who was worried that the other candidates were all going to be “captains of industry”.
There is a danger that when schools list desired skills like accountancy, human resources and data analysis that they make school governance sound like it is for people with glittering CVs and six-figure salaries only and us mere mortals should not apply. That is not the case!
At what stage should we request references?
Keeping Children Safe in Education explains that for job applicants, seeking references before interview allows “concerns raised to be explored further with the referee and taken up with the candidate at interview”.
This logic could also apply to volunteer roles, but either way the references should be received before the board actually vote on the appointment so that an informed decision can be made.
“It is good practice for schools to take up references before confirming their decision to appoint you so do be prepared to provide these if requested.”
National Governance Association
How many references do we ask for?
Keeping Children Safe In Education just refers to seeking “referees” for volunteers but does not specify an exact number.
The National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) offer guidance on safer recruitment procedures for recruiting staff and volunteers who have contact with children. They suggest “at least two” references are sought and this is the norm for job applications as well.
Governors will usually only have contact with children under supervised conditions, but schools could choose to follow this advice for governance roles if they wish.
“You should ask applicants to provide the details of at least two referees and check references as part of your vetting checks.”
NSPCC
Must parent governors be nominated by two parents?
Volunteers for staff governor can simply nominate themselves, but some local authorities say that parent governors must be nominated by two fellow parents in order to stand for election. (This is sometimes called “proposing and seconding” a nomination.)
This is in effect asking for two references, because the candidate must find two parents to support their candidacy.
I’m a bit dubious about this, particularly because the law for maintained schools says you cannot set a minimum number of votes needed to be elected. If the parent can only stand if two people support them, isn’t that close to setting a minimum of two votes?
“The appropriate authority must make all the necessary arrangements for the election of parent governors.
“The power conferred by paragraph 4 does not include power to impose any requirements as to the minimum number of votes required to be cast for a candidate to be elected.”
Constitution Regulations (England) 2012
Incidentally, the guidance for Welsh parent governors clearly states that schools cannot insist that parents have two nominators. This guidance does not apply to English schools, but the law on parent governor elections in Wales is very similar to the law for maintained schools in England.
“It cannot be insisted upon that the person is nominated and seconded by other parents.”
Wales School Governors’ Guide To The Law (Chapter 3)
Asking for two nominators does seem to be what some LAs recommend in maintained schools though, so check your local LA guidance for details. (Academies should check the election rules set by their own trust.)