Norman Pannell's governors have identified the following as key to their roles:

• Looking after the school budget.  Ensuring it is spent properly
• Enjoy helping the school run smoothly
• Promoting good practice
• Addressing parents concerns
• Available to help with trips and any school activities
• Interview and appoint all new members of staff
• Ensuring Health and Safety issues are met
• Pupil welfare is the at the heart of all governors' thinking and decision
• Linking with curriculum co-ordinators in school (e.g. English) to ensure effective coverage of the curriculum

The following is from the DfE Website:

The key purpose of governing bodies is to support and challenge Headteachers in order to ensure pupils receive the best possible education. 

The role of the school Governor has grown in levels of complexity and responsibility. Governors are the strategic leaders of our schools and have a vital role to play in making sure every child gets the best possible education.

For maintained schools this is reflected in the law, which states that the purpose of maintained school governing bodies is to ‘conduct the school with a view to promoting high standards of educational achievement at the school’.

In all types of schools, governing bodies should have a strong focus on three core strategic functions:

• Ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction;
• Holding the headteacher to account for the educational performance of the school and its pupils, and the performance management of staff; and
• Overseeing the financial performance of the school and making sure its money is well spent.  The role of the school Governor has grown in levels of complexity and responsibility.