Calderdale are looking for School Governors
Monday, 20 February 2017
Do you want to help shape the future of our children?
In order to make up a good Governing Body, you need a whole host of people and skills. A diverse group of governors allows the school to have a rounded vision of where it can develop. You don’t have to be a parent of a child to become a school governor and Calderdale are currently looking for Local Authority and Co-opted governors for their schools.
Governing bodies rely on a variety of experiences and perspectives. No prior knowledge is required. Training and support is available for new and existing governors and is free of charge – no governor would be expected to pay for their own training.
The average time commitment is 10-15 hours per term. This includes meetings, background reading and school visits. School governors are like magistrates or members of a jury and therefore have a right to reasonable time off work for their public duties (this may be unpaid). Check with your H.R. department for your company’s policy.
The Role of Governor:
Anyone aged 18 or over and living in the UK can apply to be a governor. Governors do not manage a school day-to-day, but are required to oversee its long-term development. Ultimately, all governor responsibilities come back to this task and can be split into three core roles:
Support & Challenge:
Ensure Accountability: Asking difficult questions that guarantee the school is responsible for its actions.
A Champion of Success: Using governors’ skills and experience to support the school in achieving its aims and recognising good performance.
Providing Strategic Management:
Establish a Strategic Framework: Helping to set the school’s aims and objectives.
Monitor and Evaluate Progress: Analyse decisions – are they producing the correct result?
Making Executive Decision:
Allocate and control the school budget: Looking at the most effective way of spending - whether spending on staffing or new buildings and equipment.
Appoint Senior Staff: Including the appointment of the headteacher or deputy headteacher when required.
Here’s what one of our Governor’s from a Calderdale primary has to say about being a governor:-
I believe that our young people deserve the best start in life, and in my role I am able to provide appropriate support, scrutiny and challenge to school senior leaders to help make my school as effective as possible and best serve its pupils. Schools face a huge number of challenges on a daily basis, from staffing to safeguarding, health and safety to pupils levels of attainment and progress, so Governors from all kinds of backgrounds can bring their skill, experience and passion to a school in order to help the strategic overview in an area of interest. Don’t worry if this seems daunting, as there is loads of training available. In return you are rewarded with the knowledge that you are giving back to your community and are helping to shape a positive future for our next generation.
If you are interested in becoming a governor please contact Debby Simpson – debby.simpson@calderdale.gov.uk. If you wish to discuss it you can telephone Debby on 01422 394059.