Governorships

Being a school governor

School governors play a key role in the development of schools and make a significant contribution to the running of the school.  It is a voluntary position but one that will give a great deal of satisfaction and being a governor is an opportunity to make a real contribution to young people and the community.  Effective leadership and management is considered by Ofsted as a key component of a well run school

The governing body
The governing body is the strategic decision-making body in each school. It has a crucial role in making sure every child gets the best possible education.  The role it plays is:

• Ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction
• Holding the headteacher to account for the educational performance of the school, its pupils, and the performance management of staff
• Overseeing the financial performance of the school and making sure its money is well spent

Governing bodies meet at least once a term. Many use committees to look at more detailed aspects of their work and advise them on decisions. Committees are often set up to look at specific issues e.g. pupil performance, curriculum, staffing, finance and premises.  Responsibility for actions and decisions lies with the governing body as a whole and not with individual members. In addition the governing body is required by law to be covered by an insurance policy.

How much time will be expected of you? A governor can expect to volunteer for the equivalent of about ten days each year, but this is likely to increase if the governor takes on the responsibility of Chair of the governing body, or Chair of a governing body committee. Some time may be during the day but much will be in the evenings. This includes time for full governor and committee meetings, reading and school visits. 

Training
Training and support is available and expected, particularly for new governors, but also on an on-going basis. The organisation Partnerships for Jewish Schools (PaJeS) runs workshops once a term and an induction evening for new governors every year. All PaJeS workshop presentations are on the Pajes  website here.

For more information do look at the NGA website and the SGOSS website. There is a Governors Handbook produced by the DfE.

If you are interested in becoming a governor please contact in the first instance Rachelle@jvn.org.uk

  JVN governor recruitment run in conjunction with PaJeS.