Did you know there is currently a national drive by the National Governor’s Association to recruit skilled governors to our schools?
School governors and trustees make a valuable contribution to children’s education, opportunities and futures.
Being a school governor or trustee is a challenging but hugely rewarding role. It will give you the chance to make a real difference to young people, give something back to your local community and use and develop your skills in a board-level environment. You will also be joining the largest volunteer force in the country: there are over a quarter of a million volunteers governing state funded schools in England.
Schools need governing boards that have a balance and diversity of knowledge, skills and experience to enable it to be effective. Ofsted (the national inspection body for schools) has repeatedly noted that the most effective schools demonstrate effective leadership and management – including by the governing board.
The National Governor’s Association (www.nga.org.uk) have a simple way of registering an interest in becoming a governor or trustee.
To volunteer as a school governor or trustee sign up with Inspiring Governors (www.inspiringgovernors.org/volunteers). This free online service connects volunteers with schools that need governors or trustees. Once you have created your profile including your skills, preferences and a brief personal statement, you can:
- View governor/ trustee vacancies in your local area and contact schools that you are interested in
- Be contacted by schools that are looking for governors/ trustees with particular skills
I have been a proprietor at The Athenaeum for the last 5 years. I am also a chair of governors on two Multi-Academy Boards, chair at a Special School, chair at a large Secondary School all based in Wirral. I have also become a governor at a secondary school in Liverpool.
I am also a National Leaders of Governance and one of 400 in the country. I am trained to review governance structures in schools and Multi-Academy Trusts either as a regular evaluation of their work or as a result of a poor Ofsted outcome. I also offer free support to chairs of governors and I work nationally.
I was delighted to have been awarded an MBE by Her Majesty the Queen for services to education in Wirral.
I would urge Proprietors, or their family members, to consider becoming a governor or a trustee.
I am happy to be contacted if anyone wishes to discuss the role further. My contact details are on my website www.purplegovernance.co.uk
Jane Owens MBE FRSA