Governance Service

Become a Governor

School governors provide critical challenge and support to the leadership team of a school with the aim of driving up standards. Acting as a school governor is a fantastic opportunity to have an impact on education and positively influence children’s lives.

Who can become a school governor

You don't have to have children at the school to be a governor. However, you do have to be over 18, and pass a formal check for your suitability to be within a school. No specific qualifications are required but there are certain expectations. What's really important is that you have energy, enthusiasm, time and a real desire to help provide children with the best possible education for children and young people in Sheffield.

Governors come from all sections of the community, and all walks of life. They can be parents, staff at the school, residents in the locality or representatives of local churches or businesses. It is important that you can work as part of a team and can give commitment to the school.

Skills and experience

Effective governors do not need to be experts in education – the main requirement needed is enthusiasm and commitment to the role. Children rely on good strong governing boards who are able to provide effective challenge and support to the school leaders. An effective governing board needs to have a range of governors who can contribute to areas such as:

• strategic planning
• identifying problems/considering solutions
• finance and budgeting
• procurement and purchasing
• data analysis
• Health and Safety
• links with business/community
• understanding of education policy

Time commitments

The time needed to be an active school governor can be as little as 6 to 8 hours each school month. This includes preparation time for meetings and visits. The normal term of office for a school governor is 4 years. But governors are volunteers who can leave at any time.

The amount of time will vary depending on how much you are able and willing to give to the role. If appointed you should be prepared to:

• attend meetings - the governing board must meet at least once a term. Governing boards also have a number of committees who report back to the full governing board. You will probably be asked to serve on at least one committee
• read through papers and minutes prior to the meeting so that you are prepared for any discussions before you get to meetings - which are normally during the evening but can be during the day
• attend training to develop your skills as a governor

Training

We have always placed a great emphasis on the importance of governor training and with this in mind, we provide a full range of governor training and development opportunities. Governors of schools and academies who subscribe to the service will have access to a yearly programme of courses that respond to national and local initiatives as well as having access to unlimited online governor training.

View out Governance Training programme.

Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) check

In Sheffield we are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expect Governors of our Schools to share this commitment. An appointment to a school's Governing Board is subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

Apply to become a school governor

If you are interested in becoming a school governor, you can contact your local school directly (for example if you are interested in becoming a parent governor) or you can contact us and we may be able to put you in contact with a school that is looking for governors.

If you would like to discuss becoming a governor, please contact us at governance@learnsheffield.co.uk or on 0114 2507417.

Alternatively, you can register your interest in becoming a governor with one of the national charities (e.g. Inspiring Governance, Governors for Schools) that work with schools to help them fill governor vacancies.

https://www.inspiringgovernance.org/volunteers/about-the-role/

https://governorsforschools.org.uk/about-the-role/