School governance receives little coverage in TES, so Jim Knight’s comment piece (“Do-gooder governors must now do better”, 24 February) was particularly disappointing. It seems that he wants to dismiss most of the country’s largest group of volunteers, while regretting that academisation will result in reduced accountability for schools.

I would suggest, on the contrary, that improving governance should be the priority so as to strengthen the accountability of schools to local communities. This could be achieved if there was a greater willingness to put money into supporting school governance - not by paying chairs but through better and possibly mandatory training. Governors may be volunteers, but they bring a wealth of experience and skills, enthusiasm for education and commitment to play their part. We need ways to help them to do the job better.

Michael Sanderson, Elsecar, Barnsley.