Volunteer with us
Effective governance makes good schools great.
We are currently seeking strong trustees and local school governors with a range of skills, experience and diverse perspectives to support and challenge our school leaders and ensure the best education for our children and young people.
WHAT IS GOVERNANCE?
Over 250k people across England volunteer as trustees and governors in schools, committed to making a difference in the education of children and young people. Governors and trustees don’t get involved with the day to day running of a school or trust, instead supporting and challenging the leadership team to drive school improvement. Trustees take a higher level strategic view across the trust, concerned with vision, strategy, procedure and financial management, whereas governors are responsible for an individual school and get to know it in greater depth, ensuring that the trust’s strategies and vision really do translate into better outcomes for the children.
Being a governor or trustee is a commitment and a responsibility, but offers you the chance to see first-hand the impact you can make in improving education for children in your community, and is a great opportunity for your own personal and career development.
“I like that our input as governors and as a school has a meaningful impact and is worthwhile. I always come away from our meetings feeling energised and motivated!”
WIDER PERSPECTIVES NEEDED
Our schools are diverse communities, and our governance should reflect and represent that.
We particularly welcome interest from people across the whole community, especially those who may be underrepresented in governance, including younger people, those from lower socio-economic backgrounds, minority groups and those with disabilities.
Please let us know if you have any access needs or support that would help you conduct the role.
WHAT SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE ARE HELPFUL?
There are no specific qualifications or requirements for the role. Effective governance is a team effort requiring a balance of different experiences and skills. Some come from an educational background, whereas others bring skills from business or personal experience.
If you have expertise in any of the areas here, we’d be particularly interested in hearing from you. In appointing new governors and trustees, we take account of the balance of skills and experience around the table, as well as each individual’s strengths.
Great connections and networking skillsPrimary or Secondary EducationSEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities)SafeguardingWellbeing & mental healthCommunityBusiness or Social EnterpriseFinanceHR and careersProject ManagementMarketingHealth and Safety, Risk and ComplianceLegal & EstatesDiversity and InclusionSustainability and Environment
Find out more
Our information pack for prospective trustees and governors explains what to expect from a governance role.
