Inspire young lives – become a Derbyshire School Governor

School governors play a vital role in helping children and young people get the best possible start in life and Derbyshire County Council is appealing for new recruits to join the team.

The council has vacancies for local authority governors at schools across Derbyshire who would work closely with headteachers and school leaders, staff, pupils and parents to help drive up standards in schools and raise standards of achievement for all pupils.

Derbyshire County Council Cabinet Member for SEND and Education Councillor Simon Mabbott said: “Good governors can make all the difference to the way a school performs and to inspire young lives from the first day in reception all the way up to sixth form. It’s a very rewarding role.

“We’re looking for new recruits who want to inspire and make a difference in local education and wider school communities to join our teams of governing bodies at schools across the county.

“Experience of teamwork and some knowledge of business management is useful, but applicants don’t need any special skills or training, they don’t have to have worked in a school or even be a parent – they just need to be aged 18 or over and have an enthusiastic interest in our children’s future.

“Becoming a governor is the perfect opportunity for people looking to skill-up for a career change, for retired people wanting a new interest or missing a challenge plus something that would look great on a CV as a way into teaching.”

Applicants need to be aged 18 or over and can be in full or part-time work, not working or taking a career break, in higher education or training or retired. Full support and guidance will be provided.

Governors support the headteacher and the governing body to drive up standards and raise standards of achievement for all pupils. It is a volunteer role and responsibilities include:

• Ensuring the school’s vision, ethos and strategic direction is clear
• Holding headteachers and executive leaders to account for the educational performance of the organisation and its pupils and the effective and efficient performance management of staff
• Overseeing the financial performance of the organisation and making sure money is well-spent
• Developing the school’s strategic plan and determining its aims, policies and priorities
• Setting targets and monitoring and evaluating progress
• Overseeing use of the school’s budget and deciding staff numbers
• Securing high levels of attendance and good standards of pupil behaviour

Governors must have an interest in our children’s future, be willing to contribute and make a difference, respect the need for confidentiality and be able to work as part of a team. They must also be able to prepare for and attend meetings, approximately once a term.

Support is available for governors including training on a wide range of subjects. Advice is always at hand from the Derbyshire Governor Helpline as well as from the headteacher and experienced governors.

Anyone interested in becoming a school governor can apply online by visiting www.derbyshire.gov.uk/governors