Heads are chosen by governors - and most heads choose to be governors themselves. Every school has a governing body. They may also include representatives from the church, charitable trust or business interests. Special schools may have health authority or voluntary organisation representatives. Governing bodies are responsible to parents, funders and the community.
Numbers vary depending on the school's type or size.
Appointments are for four years. The governing body's main role is to help raise standards of achievement. It is important they get things right. How they do their job affects the interests of pupils, staff morale and how the school is seen by parents and others in the community. Governors support and challenge heads by gathering views, asking questions and deciding what's best for the school.