Volunteer Co-opted Governor

What will you be doing?

Being a school governor is a uniquely rewarding, sometimes challenging role. It really does offer you the opportunity to make a difference, "give something back" to the community and shape the lives of the future. Governors attend three or four full meetings each year plus committee meetings according to personal skills and interests. Those meetings are the formal part of the role where the key functions are carried out - preparation and commitment are key. As a governing body we work as a team and all contribute. Additionally there are less formal activities in which we take part - watching school plays, attending events with parents and pupils and visiting the school during the school day. We are looking for people who care about the next generation and enabling them to flourish, reach their potential and play their part in the society of the future. As a small school we face additional financial challenges and must maximise our income and the efficiency of how we spend our money, and, as a rural school, we have to make ourselves known!

What are we looking for?

Having the ability to remain objective with an awareness of the strategic direction and broad vision are important to our governing body. Good active listening and communication skills along with understanding of the process of prioritisation, need to react to external forces and influences, and how to plan for an unpredictable future are key for all governors. If you have experience (of at least three years) in marketing, financial administration and/or management or fundraising and/or bid writing we would be especially keen to hear from you. Your skills, knowledge and expertise would add to our existing skill set and strengthen the governing body as a whole. You would be able to add value to the governing body and the school and enable the governing body to develop its abilities to support the school in delivering its vision. Alongside relevant and sustained real world experience in these areas we are, most of all, looking for commitment, someone who wants to be a part of our team, a passion for education and developing children's lives and improving their future chances, and a willingness to learn.

What difference will you make?

Continuing the development of the school as the one to which parents want to send their children, at which professionals want to work, and to which others look to for expertise will make a huge difference to the lives of all of our pupils and has an impact extending beyond the immediate local community. Using your skills to benefit the school - whether that is in analysing the chart of accounts, developing a successful marketing strategy or any other useful way - is satisfying, but seeing a child engrossed in learning, proudly showing you their achievements or simply beaming with pride because they 'have done it' is the most rewarding part of the role.