Volunteer Chair of Governors (Manchester)

What will you be doing?

Governing boards are responsible for the strategic management of a school and make decisions about a wide range of issues The core responsibilities of governing bodies include:

Ensuring accountability Acting as a ‘critical friend’ to the Head Teacher Monitoring and evaluating the school’s progress Budgetary allocation and control Shaping plans for school improvement and overseeing their implementation Setting the school’s aims and values Appointing senior members of staff including the Head Teacher

  The governing board is usually split into a small number of committees, each responsible for one area such as finance or pupil achievement. These committees will meet separately from the main governing board to discuss relevant issues in more detail. Discussion is then fed back at a full governing board meeting. A school governing board is made up of representatives from the school, the parents, the local authority and the local community.   As a Chair, you will also be responsible for:

Nurturing a strong and supportive culture within the governing board Delegating tasks and ensuring the governing board fulfils its function Setting agendas and goals for governor meetings Evaluating performance of the governing board on a regular basis Liaising closely with the Head Teacher Ensuring governors act in line with the board’s agreed code of conduct

  After joining the board, you will have ample opportunity to learn more about the school and your fellow governors. Training will be provided.

What are we looking for?

Chairing a governing board requires similar skills to board leaders in other sectors. While there are no official requirements, previous experience as a school governor or a board chair is highly desirable. You will be confident in leading groups of people, with the ability to make firm decisions and generate clear strategies for driving positive change.  You must be over 18, but you don’t need to be a parent or have experience working in education. Often, it’s the outside perspective you can bring that a school needs. Professional experience in areas such as HR, finance, law, or data analysis are all useful to a school. However, soft skills such as leadership, communication, and problem solving are also great additions.

What difference will you make?

Governing boards make decisions that affect schools for years to come. Our recent impact survey found that our volunteers bring £9.9 million worth of value to schools each year, and 9/10 volunteers would recommend being a governor to a friend.  As a Chair, you’ll also help other governors make the most of their roles and develop valuable skills. You can visit the school to gain an understanding of the culture and ethos and to get the most out of the role. You’ll have the opportunity to meet children, parents, and teachers, and see the impact of your work first-hand.