The traditional perception of a governor is someone who is white, middle aged and middle class, but there is an increasing necessity for a strong blend of people from different backgrounds and with different experiences to help a governing body understand the needs of the school and its local community.
Young people have so much to offer:- Enthusiasm and new ideas
- A recent, first-hand experience of the modern education system
- Up-to-date and relevant skills
…And so much to gain:
Develop new skills and strengthen existing ones:-- School governance is a unique learning and development opportunity where you can gain real first hand experience in the critical business disciplines of finance, HR, strategic planning, team working and project management – experience you can take with you into your working life
- Gain a sense of satisfaction knowing that children will benefit from your efforts
- An awareness of the education system as a whole
- The opportunity to work with people from a variety of social, cultural and religious backgrounds
You do not need to be a parent, know about education or have specific skills to be a good governor – you should be willing to work in a team, to challenge assumptions you may not agree with, to encourage and promote innovation and to make a full contribution to the decision making process.
As long as you are over 18 you are welcome to apply regardless of race, nationality, ethnic or national origin, gender, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, age or religion and belief.
School Governance offers a unique volunteering opportunity to employers and their staff. Not only are volunteers in a position to have a positive impact on the lives of children throughout a school, but as governors they themselves can gain first hand experience in critical business disciplines such as finance, HR, strategic planning, team working and project management – experience that will then benefit their working lives.
“At Capital One we remain supportive of our staff volunteering to be school governors as we have seen the positive contribution it can make to their skill-set in areas such as communication, team working and assertiveness.”
"KPMG actively encourages our people to share their skills and time with the communities in which they work and live. We have worked with the School Governor One Stop Shop for over 5 years to promote volunteering roles on school governing boards, enabling our people to use their skills to benefit the school and wider community.
Being a school governor also provides the opportunity for our people to develop core skills and competencies that KPMG needs in the business. Graduates applying to KPMG who have developed these skills through being a school governor are likely to be attractive candidates. "
Ruth Stokes, Head of Recruitment, KPMG Europe
There is a good chance that there is a school in your area that has a vacancy on its governing body. If a school has vacancies on its governing body then it is at a disadvantage as it will not have a sufficient blend and diversity of people to help in the decision making process. Governing bodies welcome new volunteers from all walks of life.
“Being a governor is about being a critical and supportive friend to the school. People imagine that governors aren’t people like them, but that’s a misconception. Everyone has experience of education, so everyone can make a valuable contribution to a school.”
Dona Henriques, Chair of Governors, Plashet School in Newham.