School Governor Voluntary Position City of Wolverhampton Council Various Schools Terms and Conditions of Service: Appointment status: This is a fixed term appointment for four years from the date of appointment Hours: This will vary with the cycle of the school year, but it is anticipated to equate to approximately 1 day per half term, including both school time and evening engagements (subject to agreement in advance). The hours will likely be split into several activities across the period. Salary: This is a voluntary and unpaid appointment Role Summary: Being a school governor is a challenging but hugely rewarding role. It will give you the chance to make a real difference to young people, give something back to your local community and use and develop your skills in a board-level environment. You will also be joining the largest volunteer force in the country: there are over a quarter of a million volunteers governing state funded schools in England. Schools need governing boards that have a balance and diversity of knowledge, skills and experience to enable it to be effective. Ofsted (the national inspection body for schools) has repeatedly noted that the most effective schools demonstrate effective leadership and management - including by the governing board. The Governing Board has three key roles: 1.To set the strategic direction of the school 2. To hold the Headteacher account for the educational performance of pupils 3. To oversee the financial effectiveness of the school, making sure the money is well spent. Anyone aged over 18 can be a governor and you do not need to be a parent. There is no requirement for you to have an understanding of the education system, just the necessary skills, character and time to contribute. There is plenty of training available to help you learn about education. Schools needs and benefit from a range of professional knowledge on their governing board including education, finance, human resources, legal, marketing and public relations, property and estates management, and organisational change. As a Governor, you will be able to: • Use your own experience of education and life beyond school to inform conversations • Develop and utilise your skills in a board-level environment • Make a valuable contribution to education and your community • Support and challenge the school so that it improves for pupils and staff • Bring your unique experiences, perspectives and insights in to decision-making in the interests of the school community. The City of Wolverhampton Council currently have several School Governor positions for which we are recruiting including roles in primary, nursery, secondary, and special schools. For more information, or to request an application pack, please contact kay.mason@wolverhampton.gov.uk