IT has emerged that several schools in Monmouthshire, including Rogiet Primary and Thornwell Primary, are in need of local education authority (LA) governors and that no one has been nominated or put themselves forward for the vacancies.

Governors are a vital part of the school, providing strategic leadership and accountability in schools and appointing the head teachers and deputy headteacher.

It is governors who hold the main responsibility for finance in schools, and it is they who work with the head to make tough decisions about balancing resources.

However, finding applicants to fill the positions can sometimes be difficult, in part due to people not understanding what the voluntary role entails.

For more information on school governance, visit http://www.nga.org.uk">www.nga.org.uk and to apply to be a governor see the

individual school.