§ Mr. MaddenTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many school governors in the last two years have(a) been dismissed, (b) resigned and (c) had their nomination withdrawn by an appropriate nominating body; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mrs. RumboldThe information requested is not available.
§ Mr. MaddenTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what rights of appeal he provides638W for school governors (a) against dismissal and (b) against their nomination being withdrawn; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mrs. RumboldIt is for local authorities to decide whom to appoint to the places on school governing bodies reserved for them. It also falls to them to decide whether a governor appointed by them should be removed from office. But they must exercise their powers reasonably, and we would consider very carefully any complaint that an authority had not done so in a particular instance.
Appointing bodies other than local authorities have similar powers. A complaint that such a body has exercised its powers unreasonably may be pursued through the courts. There is no provision for the dismissal of elected or co-opted governors.