One in ten governor's posts in England is vacant according to the Government's latest research on the issue.
The figures come just weeks after Schools Secretary, Ed Balls, revealed his plans for sweeping new changes to the way schools are governed.
A 2007 study revealed that one in five head teachers thought their governing body was inefficient. A similar proportion of heads thought their governors performed a very effective role.
Mr Balls thinks that effective governing bodies are a key factor in turning around failing schools.
As the working group advising ministers on how to strengthen school governance meets for the first time, he said: "We need all governing bodies to lead the work of school improvement.
"Strong governors are central to turning around under performing schools and will be key to raising standards in our 638 National Challenge schools, where less than 30% get five A* to C GCSEs, including English and maths.
"This is not about making governing bodies paid professionals - the voluntary ethos is here to stay.
"It is about making sure they have the right professionalism, skills and focus on holding schools to account and being accountable themselves to children, parents and local communities."
Government research shows that in schools graded inadequate by Ofsted the governing bodies fail to hold the leadership team to account. Concern has also been expressed that governing bodies fail to monitor the progress of such schools and an unaware of their strengths and weaknesses.
The figures come just weeks after Schools Secretary, Ed Balls, revealed his plans for sweeping new changes to the way schools are governed.
A 2007 study revealed that one in five head teachers thought their governing body was inefficient. A similar proportion of heads thought their governors performed a very effective role.
Mr Balls thinks that effective governing bodies are a key factor in turning around failing schools.
As the working group advising ministers on how to strengthen school governance meets for the first time, he said: "We need all governing bodies to lead the work of school improvement.
"Strong governors are central to turning around under performing schools and will be key to raising standards in our 638 National Challenge schools, where less than 30% get five A* to C GCSEs, including English and maths.
"This is not about making governing bodies paid professionals - the voluntary ethos is here to stay.
"It is about making sure they have the right professionalism, skills and focus on holding schools to account and being accountable themselves to children, parents and local communities."
Government research shows that in schools graded inadequate by Ofsted the governing bodies fail to hold the leadership team to account. Concern has also been expressed that governing bodies fail to monitor the progress of such schools and an unaware of their strengths and weaknesses.
