School Governor

Economy, Skills and Neighbourhoods

Education and Early Years
Governor Support Service

 

School Governors

Ref: VOL/OL-16527

Salary: Voluntary

Please see additional Terms and Conditions here.  N/A

Hours: Various hours governors are employed on a voluntary basis

Based: Various schools across Oldham

Shortlisting & Interview Date: Candidates will be matched against skills gaps in schools. Shortlisted candidates will be contacted directly by the school.

Role overview

School governors represent the largest volunteer force in the country with approximately 1% of the adult population serving in this capacity at any one time.  In Oldham we have over 1200 governors working hard to improve the outcomes for children young people and their families. Across the year we have around 100 school governor vacancies across Oldham schools as terms of office come to an end.

Do you have the skills to join a team of school leaders?

Governing bodies across Oldham are made up of a broad range of people including parents, school staff, members of the community, people nominated by the Local Authority and sometimes the Church. They have a range of different backgrounds, skills and experiences, they are all committed volunteers who work together for the benefit of the school and are the link between the school and the community it serves. The most important thing is that governors have the necessary skills to contribute and the willingness to learn and develop their abilities as a governor.

The governing body works as a team with the Headteacher and other staff, effective governors do not need to be experts in education but they do need to be committed to their school or college.

A key role of governors is holding the management team to account robustly and effectively.  For this, it is important that governors have a questioning mind and are diplomatic. They also need to be enthusiastic and a good team player. To contribute effectively, all governors need to be literate and numerate.

The different types of governors

There are different types of governors:

Parent governors - elected by the parents of children in the school

Co-opted governors - appointed by the governing body and might include local business people or members of local community groups

Local Authority governors - members of the community who may be elected members with an interest in the school and skills required to meet the schools skills gap.  Applications are endorsed by the Cabinet Member and Shadow Cabinet Member for Education and Early Years and appointed will be made by the full governing body.

Staff governors - elected by both the teaching and support staff at the school

Foundation governors - appointed by the body which established the school, for example, the church or diocese

Headteacher - if they choose to be a governor

 

Do you have:

• The ability to form effective working relationships with fellow governors and staff?
• The ability to enquire, scrutinise, challenge and actively support the work of the senior staff of the school?
• The desire to work hard as a volunteer for the benefit of the children, families and staff?
• The ability to look at issues objectively?
• The confidence to ask questions and join in debate?
• The willingness to listen and make informed judgments?
• Willing to act honestly, openly and with integrity?

           

The benefits of becoming a governor include:

• A chance to develop skills in a strategic management role
• The opportunity to work with a team of governors and staff in improving schools
• Training to develop an understanding of specific school management issues
• A sense of achievement in making a difference to the school
• The pleasure of helping children and young people reach their potential

Some governors have commented on the value of their personal development and advancement through volunteering for the role of governor (strategic manager) and how this has helped them with progression in work and other aspects of their life.

Key Requirements

Excellent literacy, numeracy, written and IT skills with attention to detail are essential along with ability to act in a professional manner whilst maintaining sensitivity and confidentiality.   The job requires someone who is a good communicator with excellent customer care skills, who works well on their own using their own initiative and as part of a team.

Previous experience as a school governor is not essential.  Training will be provided.

What do next if you would like to become a school governor:

If you want to be a governor of a particular school you could contact the school and show an interest.  You could talk to the Headteacher or the Chair of governors and make sure that they can contact you if parent governor or community governor vacancies arise.

They can also pass your name to other appointing governing bodies.

For LA governors and Co-opted governors your skills will be matched against skills required for the individual school governing body

LA Governor Application

LA governor appointment will require endorsement by the Cabinet Member and Shadow Cabinet Member for Education and Early Years.  All applications will be considered and approved by the schools full governing body and they will formally make the appointment.

Co-opted Governor Application

All co-opted governor applications will be considered and approved by the schools full governing body and they will formally make the appointment.

To register an interest to become a Local Authority/Co-opted governor please complete the form attached.

More information is available here: https://www.oldham.gov.uk/governors

If you wish to apply then please register your details at:

https://inspiringgovernance.org

Or complete the following form

https://www.oldham.gov.uk/downloads/file/4259/la_and_co-opted_governor_application_form

The post is subject to an enhanced disclosure from the DBS (previously known as CRB) 

Our Values

Oldham Council is a leading Local Authority; shortlisted for the Local Government Chronicle Council of the Year 2014 and described as “an ambitious and effective Council” by the Local Government Association. We want people who share our values and can deliver for the Borough of Oldham. To find out more about who we are, what we do and why you should join us please visit our dedicated careers pages where you will also find useful guidance on how best to complete the application form