14/09/20

Cardiff Council is seeking up to 100 motivated and committed volunteers to take up positions as school governors across the city's 127 schools.

School governors are the most important volunteer workforce in education and play a critical role in improving education and making a positive difference to the future of children and young people. 

School governors help to set the strategic vision of the school and ensure that children and young people receive the best possible education. They also act as a critical friend providing support and challenge to the school's senior leadership team.

Becoming a school governor provides a range of benefits, providing the opportunity to become involved with a local school and the chance to directly contribute to the success of the children and young people it serves.  There is also the opportunity to develop professional and personal skills and experience in a wide range of areas such as strategic planning, decision making and financial management which can assist with careers and personal development. 

Free continuing professional development is provided by the Local Authority to support governors in their role.

As a minimum a governor could be expected to contribute approximately five hours a month to a school which would vary according to the range of responsibilities chosen to accept.

Cabinet Member for Education, Employment and Skills, Cllr Sarah Merry said: "Education features strongly in Cardiff's Capital Ambition and we are committed to ensuring that every child attends a good or excellent school.

"To deliver this, our schools need good school governance and it is the support, skills and expertise from governing bodies which help improve the lives of children and young people in the community.

"We are seeking governors with a variety of skills and experience. Applicantsdon't need to have any direct link to the school. In fact, it's often good if they don't have any prior relationship with the school. This helps to bring a wider, external perspective to help challenge and support the running of the school"

"As well as bringing great satisfaction and the opportunity to make a real difference, the role of a governor provides a range of valuable skills and experience which can be utilised and developed for future use."

Key roles of a school governor include:

-         Setting the overall direction, aims, policies and priorities of the school

-         Ensuring the wellbeing and safeguarding of learners

-         Monitoring performance and promoting high standards of educational achievement,

attendance and behaviour,

-         Acting as a "critical friend," providing support and challenge to the senior leadership team and setting targets by which progress can be measured

-         Agreeing the annual school budget and monitoring this throughout the year

-         Ensuring that all learners have access to a broad and balanced curriculum and that all

statutory requirements are met

-         Involvement in all staffing processes including pay, staff appointments, performance

management, suspension, disciplinary issues and dismissal.

For more information about how to apply, please visithttps://www.educardiff.co.uk/