Become a Governor
We have vacancies for new govenors to join our board!
Are you passionate about improving your local community? Do you believe in the importance of education? Behind every good school is a group of committed and caring governors who help to shape the school and provide the best education possible for it's pupils. We need new members to join our friendly and dedicated board to continue their good work.
Watling Lower School is a popular, small school with a friendly, caring and supportive staff who work alongside an enthusiastic and equally dedicated Governing Body. The Board meets regularly every half term and there are two sub-committees which also meet throughout the year. Each governor has an area of responsibility and would share their insights with the rest of the board in helping to make decisions regarding the strategic direction of the school. You will work as a critical friend to ensure that the school is working hard for all pupils.
What is a school governor?
School governors are volunteers who help to run our school. You will work alongside our committed and diligent group of current governors (together called the 'governing body') to make decisions about all aspects of managing the school, e.g. running buildings and budgets, supporting staff and setting standards of school discipline.
Governors also help to make big decisions about the school’s long-term goals. You act to support the headteacher, but also ask questions and challenge the decisions that he is taking to make sure he is leading the school in the right direction.
Who can be a school governor?
Anyone over 18 can be a school governor – you don’t have to be a parent with a child at the school. However, every governing body includes parent governors, and it can be a rewarding way to be involved in your child’s school.
The most important qualities for being a governor are enthusiasm, commitment and an interest in education. You don’t need a background of working in schools and we need people who bring skills from other areas of work and who have different life experiences. We would like a governing body with a diverse set of skills who can ask questions and offer a different perspective on running a school in the 21st century.
What does the role involve?
You’ll need to attend a full governors' meeting each half term and you will also be expected to join one of our sub-committees: Standards and Curriculum, or Finance, Premises and Personnel. The Standards and Curriculum committee meets once a term and the Finance, Premises and Personnel committee meets each half term. This makes 9 or 12 meetings in total which generally last for between 1 ½ and 2 hours. We would also ask that you commit to visiting the school on 1 or 2 occasions during the year to gain a better insight and understanding of how the school is running.
You’ll be privy to important information about the school’s budget; its maintenance and day to day management; its educational performance and will work as part of a team to scrutinize, challenge and help set the strategic plan to improve the school. You will therefore need to have good communication skills, work well in a team and respect confidentiality.
How do I become a school governor?
If you’re interested in becoming a governor, please contact the school office. We will be happy to explain more about the role and can also put you in contact with our chair of governors who leads the board.
When there’s a vacancy for a parent governor, all parents will be informed and you’ll have a chance to stand for election. We then poll all of the parents at the school and the person with the most votes will be appointed to the board subject to the relevant checks being completed (see below).
We also have community governors and co-opted governors who are members of the wider community. You do not need to go through the polling process, but we will ask you to provide two references and information about your motivation to join and the skills you offer for consideration by the board. If they are in agreement, then you will be invited to join the board.
When considering your application, it can be beneficial to talk to your employer. Many employers recognise the role of school governor as useful work experience and may offer paid leave for governor duties.
What checks will we carry out?
Once appointed, you will need to provide:
- two references;
- complete a declaration of interests form to declare any conflicts of interest you may have including conflicts of loyalty and financial interests – this information must be published by the school on its website; and
- undergo an enhanced DBS check.
- For GDPR purposes – information that is legally required will be given to the appropriate authorities eg CBC.
Your appointment will be subject to the above checks being completed.