School Governors make a valuable contribution to children’s education, opportunities and futures.  You’ll gain experience of working strategically that can be taken back to the workplace and learn more about the running of the school.

You’ll look at management information and have conversations with staff and school leaders about the school.  You’ll support the leadership team with important decision making including looking at how the school’s money is spent and its curriculum as well as performance management, pupil exclusions and other important issues.

Governors often take up a link role related to their personal skills or experiences and so a variety of people are required to make up a successful Local Governing Board – you could be just what our schools need!

Commitment Required:

• Attend Governors meetings (6 in total per year) – usually after school and lasting approx. 2 hours, hybrid in-person and virtual attendance possible
• Undertake at least termly Governors’ activity – this can be anything from attending an assembly, observing a lesson, attending a learning walk around school, looking at examples of work, attending events or speaking with pupils, parents and staff either in person or virtually.  It is usually centred around the link role and a short visits form is completed as a record – 15 mins – 45 mins depending on activity
• Reading – reports and minutes in preparation for meetings and governance articles for up to date knowledge
• Training – Induction training initially, followed by ongoing development – mixture of virtual and in person
• Most Governors, dependent on their profession, are entitled to ‘reasonable’ time off work to carry out their duties. 

To find out more:

Wessex MAT website

https://www.nga.org.uk/Governance-Recruitment/Be-a-school-governor-or-trustee.aspx

https://schoolgovernors.thekeysupport.com/the-governing-body/constitution-and-membership/governor-administration/right-to-time-off-work-as-a-school-governor/